Perhaps but don't get me wrong on this as I'm no particular fan of the private sector. What I'm actually trying to articulate is how the private sector is always cutting back staffing levels etc, while still delivering their core service, whilst the political sector grows and still fails to deliver. Sadly it's this continued failure which forms the foundation of their success, whereas with the private sector it eventually means collapse. Like a lot of us I've tiers of government to endure, a local authority, a county authority, the national; Commons and Lords, plus the Euro Parliament. My MP is a good MP, no problem with him but typically to address where the first two tiers fail, there's nothing to be done about the Commons, the Lords are a rare beast however and I imagine we might find a Lord here or there who doesn't take the whip and might be interested in a particular area to actually try to help (ironic due to the lack of election), and the grey mass of the EUP who I wouldn't trust an inch. It's a massive organism collectively, supported by departments and quangos and more like a fortress than a democratic form. We've all seen small victories by campaigning, but when you consider it often takes a decade or two to shift a single brick it's barely worth laying siege to. I know they've come in for a fair amount of stick over the years, but I do like the canton system which the Swiss enjoy. They truly believe that if the majority wishes for something, or not, that's exactly what they'll get. How quaint is that?
I take your point on the private sector. The lords are an odd beast, through various means i have come into contact with quite a few of them and most have their hobby horses which they will do their best to get action on, often against the desires of the government. Don't get of wrong, many are useless but some do a fantastic job which they couldn't do if they were constantly worrying about the next election
Back on the BBC I've been chatting about this and most people I know are sick of the license fee so I put it to them stop paying it then, answer I do not want to go to prison. Are, but if we all stopped they can not lock us all up, answers range from the BBC would go bust to they will do adverts. In the case of the adverts they have adverts now about themselves which has only come around in the last 10 years and there are more I see. It's interesting to note no one likes the license fee but will not get off there backsides resulting in the BBC will continual to slide down the drain pumping out cheap brain dread dross. I pay the fee because I want to see top notch programs which are well above the rubbish ITV pumps out. Sadly once again most people will not do a thing. Why has this country become so full of apathy? BTW: I have sent the BBC a letter of complaint saying stop pandering to the riff raff they got ITV. I pay to see quality TV not cheap and nasty TV.
I agree entirely Richard, if you want dross there are hundreds of sky channles etc, the BBC should provide quality entertainment and education. I think that to a large extent it still does (just look at some of the great stuff on I-player) but sadly most people just want strictly come get my big brother out of here and object to paying to fund genuinely good TV.
Looks like we can have a say, but will they listen? BBC NEWS | Entertainment | Public to have say on BBC policy
Is this a step in the right direction though, if we are complaining about them putting out more of the rubbish that belongs on ITV or FIVE, pandering to the lowest common denominator etc? I'm afraid I'm not really into democratising things like the BBC, you don't consult your average joe on the street about what equipment should be bought for the army or what services the NHS should offer, why should you do the same with quality broadcasting? What we need is a leadership within the BBC who won't sacrifice quality to make a cheap couple of quid.
Its all very well putting that out but the BBC must listen to us in our own words and as you say Stefan they need leadership from the top not some mother hen clucking out claptrap.
