J-M. David

Go to my FOURHARES site here

… because a voice, free of party politics, is important in bringing to light direction, consequences of proposed legislation, and values.

Make your votes worthwhile, through care. 

Increasingly, when a government proposes legislation, party members seem to silently support the party line or be accused of ‘breaking rank’. This applies to both major and minor parties.

Also increasingly, and a serious concern, is the progressive removal of civil liberty under the pretext of safety, giving bureaucracy powers that should be reserved, at most, to elected governments.

What is needed is an unequivocal spirit able to support, suggest amendments, or reject government or opposition proposals on their merit, based on a core set of principles and values. These are at times called ‘small L liberal values’, reflected in aspects of classical and social liberalism.

I am personally guided by three general Principles, each applicable to all government involvement:

The three realms of society – the economy; the political-judicial systems; and cultural events and institutions – have different general needs and independent requirements.

Principles of autonomy reflected in the Magna Carta, and later articulated as inalienable human rights, need to reflect considerations in the enactment of just laws and regulations. Principles such as human dignity, freedom and responsibility are central, without which a society descends quickly towards a centralised totalitarian State.

Business activity – whether in the production or distribution of goods and services – needs to similarly take into account the principles delineated above, and, without inappropriate or excessive bureaucratic burdens, remain mindful of human and of environmental care.