From: ldo@nz.invalid   
      
   On Sat, 07 Feb 2026 11:47:28 -0800, The Horny Goat wrote:   
      
   > On Mon, 19 Jan 2026 23:44:30 -0000 (UTC), Lawrence D’Oliveiro wrote:   
   >   
   >> The phrase that’s missing here is “multiparty democracy”. Can you   
   >> have a real democracy with a realistic choice of only two parties,   
   >> where every contest is seen as a zero-sum game? And with so much   
   >> political interference in the election process?   
   >>   
   >> I think the US is an outstanding example as to why the answer is “no”.   
   >   
   > Catch is you either have a 2 party state or a multi-party state.   
   > Which would you prefer - the present US situation where the parties   
   > are both deserting the center or the British situation where you   
   > have a party in power where they have managed to dig themselves a   
   > pit, fallen into it and yet are still guaranteed 4 more years of   
   > power - and the opposition parties as much at war with each other as   
   > they are with Labour.   
      
   There are no such term guarantees in the UK, or any other   
   Parliamentary democracy for that matter. Remember, there is no need to   
   go through a cumbersome “impeachment” process to get rid of the   
   current executive; all that’s needed is a vote of no confidence to   
   pass in Parliament, and down the Government comes, and it’s time for   
   another election (unless another group within the existing Parliament   
   can make a case to the Monarch that they can put together a credible   
   Government).   
      
   --- SoupGate-Win32 v1.05   
    * Origin: you cannot sedate... all the things you hate (1:229/2)