Only a new system can save us now

GIVEN everything that is happening, it is easy to believe that politics in this state has become a quasi-criminal profession.

This is because office provides the levers of power, privilege, patronage, and influence, together with the almost unfettered ability to abuse all of those things.

Almost all politicians are complicit, most especially those who know it but make no attempt to change it.

That being the case, a complete clear-out is in order. However, the constitution under which we suffer has not only set up this “asylum” (to borrow John Gormley’s description) it has also put the inmates in complete charge. The constitution can be changed only at the say-so of the incumbents. We do not elect democratic governments; we appoint temporary dictatorships. There are no mechanisms to assert the popular will, to remove a disastrous government as needed, or even to make it accountable. New politics, new politicians and new parties are required, but there is little likelihood of a new party taking over government and leading a successful transformation of this state any time soon. However, there is a case for a new party to be created for the sole purpose of pushing through some essential constitutional reforms as a first step toward the transformation of the state.

John Stafford

Dargle Wood

Knocklyon, Dublin 16