Backlash

So Joe Lieberman has lost the nomination for the Senate in the US, and with the loss of that nomination, most probably his Senate seat? Hardly surprising given his close support of the increasingly unpopular Bush and Cheney. That is one of the great things about the US system - Lieberman allied himself far too closely with the Republican administration, so the Democrats reserve their right to give him the chop. If US politicians do not represent their party well enough, they can lose their right to represent that party. And the fall of Lieberman is no mean feat - after all, if it wasn't for the hanging chads in Florida, he would probably be the Vice-President and the presumptive Democrat presidential nominee for 2008.

Of course, Ned Lamont will probably turn out to be one of life's also rans. This could be his greatest moment. But that is not the point - the Democrats were able to exercise their democratic right to decide who will represent their party and potentially their state.

Something we are sadly lacking in this country. There are very few dynamic, recognisable MPs in this country and those in Parliament or aspiring to get into Parliament are mostly shameless sycophants, unable to extract their noses from the anal crevices of whoever is leading their party. Instead of representing their communities and whatever political beliefs they may have, the people standing for election in this country are only looking to appeal to the party whips.

I would like to see more of this happening - the candidates from the major parties being rejected in favour of someone local with a political backbone. Because the only way these parties will change is when someone is threatening their grip on power. And therefore it is the only way we will get some decent politicians to replace the likes of these great representatives. Bollocks to whether you agree with what they said, at least they had something to say other than the party line.