Intelligence Squared Robert Peston on How to Save Democracy
Dec 29, 2023
Robert Peston, ITV political editor and author of 'Bust?: Saving the Economy, Democracy and Our Sanity,' joins James Harding for a lively discussion. They dive into urgent reforms for British politics, including proportional representation and a revamped House of Lords. Peston also shares provocative ideas on tax credits for private healthcare to alleviate NHS pressures. The conversation reflects on the complexities of a potential EU referendum and the impact of technological shifts on jobs, emphasizing the need for innovation in leadership and support for retraining.
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Political Reform
- Robert Peston suggests fundamental political reform, including proportional representation and House of Lords restructuring.
- He even hints at a written constitution to address declining trust in politicians.
Proportional Representation
- Implement proportional representation to better reflect moderate voters and give extremists a voice.
- This approach strengthens democracy by ensuring votes count, reducing system shocks.
Declining Quality of Leaders
- Peston believes the quality of political leaders has declined, necessitating significant changes.
- He proposes shrinking and better compensating the House of Lords to attract talent.