On Means and Ends

Photograph: Delyn's re-elected MP, David Hanson (circled), in cabinet meeting during his time as PPS for the PM

Tony Blair’s bloody nose on May 5th was certainly a good hit for ‘democracy’. The reduced majority will now make it more difficult for Mr Blair to abuse the power entrusted to him through the ballot box. Our democracy is, however, still a seed in growth; it is not yet the finished article.

In between elections, the growth and development of a good democracy requires the meaningful participation, genuine influence, and effective lobbying of constituents. Greater openness, transparency, and scrutiny are essential too. In addition, the decision-making processes of the governing Labour Party itself are best when they fully take account and learn from the grassroots; an inclusive bottom-up approach is much wiser than an exclusive top-down approach.

As Mahatma Ghandi said: "The means may be likened to a seed, the end to a tree: and there is just the same inviolable connection between the means and the end as there is between the seed and the tree."

It will be excellent if our re-elected MP for Delyn continues to learn, listen and act with the grassroots of Delyn during the next 4-5 years. Much is at stake including our civil rights, the delivery of our public services and welfare system, competing visions of social justice, our nation’s relationship with George W Bush and the ‘free market’, and environmental matters too.

Never again should constituents and party members be left feeling lied to, misled, inadequately represented, alienated and angry (as has undoubtedly been the case with the Iraq war).