I noticed this headline on a Guardian comment is free post today: If our political parties did not exist, would we ever need to invent them? I thought of it first you know! Well, sort of. I didn’t quite address the same heavy topics on Poland and Italy’s recent political party additions but I did have a rather in-depth conversation with my husband in the car on the way to Cardiff back in July.
I asked him ‘if there were no political parties, do you think government as we know it would collapse?’ We then had a lively debate on how you would know who to vote for and how would you recognise what he/she stood for, etc. I can’t remember the exact conclusion we came to but I’m pretty sure we differed on whether or not parties are needed. I said no; I think he said yes.
Anyone else have an opinion? I welcome debate remember…even if you do disagree with me and are, therefore, wrong! Just kidding. Political parties are not needed for government to work. Discuss.