I have always believed in democracy. I just don't think I'll ever see it happen in my lifetime.

There are many problems with free elections however...'proportional representation' vs 'the first past the post system' for example. When Uncle Tony was removing the Tory life peers from the House of Lords (a long overdue clear out it has to be said and one of the few points where I agree with Uncle Tony) he wasn't sure what to replace them with. I wrote to the P.M. explaining that a 'first past the post system' of election for the Commons would ensure that the different areas of Britain were catered for politically and the implementation of a 'proportionally elected' House of Lords would create equality on a countrywide basis. Unfortunately Uncle Tony used my letter for toilet paper and just left a New Labour quango in charge of the Lords that wouldn't challenge his authority. Which brings me back to my original point that democracy is fundamentally crap due to the numerous ways it can be perverted.

One of the main problems, of course, is the fact that everybody gets a chance to vote. This includes thick people...which is, frankly, annoying. And corrupt people. And intolerant people. And ignorant people.

And people who have no concept of politics in the first place...that's probably the biggest problem of all. I'm not happy having my future and/or the future of this country decided for me by a bunch of thick shit-heads who either get their political opinions from Rupert Murdoch or wouldn't know the difference between socialism and nazism.

In this technologically advanced day and age a new system should be put in place surely? A touch-screen computer system perhaps that limits the people voting to those who actually have some idea what they're voting for. For example, before being allowed to cast their votes, the public could be set a questionnaire.

1) Is the Tory Party's policy for education a) to sell off all the school teachers to the sex industry b) force students to sell their own internal organs to cover their fees c) stuff education, the chimneys of the aristocracy need sweeping so we need our factory fodder...or d) all of the above.

If a potential voter failed to make the grade their vote would be discounted as being invalid. That'd put a stop to all of this, "My dad voted Labour and his dad voted Labour before him, therefore I'm voting Labour now" and "Well, he's got a sexy sort of face so I'll vote for him".

This same electronic device could be used for a great many other applications in everyday life.

"You are about to attempt sex. Here is a diagram of the female genitalia. Please touch the screen at the point where you think the clitoris is situated." Prrrrp! Wrong! You obviously have no concept of how to fulfil your partner. You have been denied access to her knickers."

"You are about to become a media star. Have you a) been raped by John Leslie b) presented the weather forecast despite having no meteorological knowledge c) slept with numerous B list celebrities in order to further your ambition? You have pressed all three of the buttons. This means you're unfit for public attention and the position will be given to somebody who actually has some talent. You will be terminated in fifteen seconds you talentless old slapper."