Politics X Factor

I’ve chosen this story as my backup for discussion for my Media Monday sessions, presuming perhaps that students may come prepared with stories about events in Ulster.

The Sunday Times has run an article about a Tory multi-millionaire who intends to set up a new style political party that is free from, well, party politics as we know it.

As the paper reports:

“A new political party aimed at “cleaning up politics” is being set up by a multi-millionaire businessman. Sir Paul Judge, a former Tory grandee, believes the power of the internet and disillusionment with sleaze make the time right for a party dedicated to independent thought and open governance.

Judge hopes the new party will act as a lightning rod for voters alienated by Westminster’s tribal divisions and endemic scandals. It aims to field a full complement of 72 candidates in the European elections in June as a prelude to campaigning in the next general election, which must take place by June 2010.

The party has no specific policies and no manifesto. Instead, it will select its candidates by public vote from anyone who puts themselves forward, provided they are committed to the principles of good governance, including selflessness, integrity, openness and honesty.

Nominees will have their details and interests published online; the public will then vote by text message, X-Factor-style, to choose the party’s election candidates.”

One would hope that this might prompt discussion about what can be done, if anything, to boost participation and democracy in the UK. And if there are solutions, what impact will a non-political, non-party political party will have.

Read what Paul Judge has to say about his plans here.

And as if this is not something he is making up, check out the Jury Team website.