If you are a regular reader of my blog you will know that I detest nothing more than “the powers that be” taking decisions that affect our everyday lives without the public having a say.
Be it the design of an arts centre or the introduction of fortnightly bin collections I feel those affected by the decisions should have their say on the issue and the ability to stop them if they don’t like it.
After all what’s the point of the great and good meeting to decide a policy if the people affected by it are unhappy with the end result?
Modern new-fangled technology such as internet and telephone voting can give the public that voice.
Not convinced that it’s a good idea or that it would work? Well, just look what happened when the public had a chance to vote in the Strictly Come Dancing programme last Saturday evening.
The judges (aka “the powers that be”) went off and awarded points based on the contestants ability to dance. But the public were more interested in seeing some good olde fashioned entertainment on their televisions.
My Saturday evenings will not be the same now the most entertaining and most popular contestant has left the competition. I voted no fewer than four times for John Sergeant to stay in the competition last week alone!
Sadly the only entertaining dancer has left and whoever wins will always know they were the second most popular contestant.
In a country blighted by recession the people need cheering up and not forced to endure tedious judge’s picking fault on a contestant’s every move based on their ability to dance.
At least the powers that be now know what we, the public, think to Saturday evening television. I say bring back “The Generation Game” and “It’s Knockout”! TV was far better in the 1970’s.
The same “ask the audience” voting principles that worked so well last Saturday evening could easily be applied to local decisions that affect our everyday lives.
Yes, giving the public a chance to speak their minds is a very good thing indeed.
What do you think on the subject?
