Blog Archives
Will my vote in the BCC election matter?
On 28 March 2020, Brisbane and 77 councils across Queensland had local government elections. Councils’ political processes under the Westminster System are described in a crime fiction novel ‘Presumed Dead’ by Martin Knox. Read this exciting story to find out how local government works — and fails.
Buy the book from Amazon or Zeus Publications at the bookstore:
See a Youtube video book trailer at this link:
Could this book change how you vote for political parties?
For more information, go to author Martin Knox’s website:
DO YOU HAVE AN INDEPENDENT COUNCILLOR?
Independent candidates are listed below for Brisbane’s election of a new City Council on March 28th.
Great importance of independents in a fictitious City Hall political process is shown in my political crime fiction thriller ‘Presumed Dead’. After a crime involving a developer is solved, an independent councillor becomes mayor and the council adopts non-partisan processes, preventing self-serving party control. The storyline is exciting with exciting topics of current public interest.
RESTORING REPRESENTATIVE DEMOCRACY
This novel story shows how political processes in Alexandra City, Southland, shape the urban environment and city living. They are not a pretty picture. Candidacy, campaigning, elections, debates, rhetoric, voting, partisan manoeuvring and development approvals are seldom transparent and not always fair. Corruption is suspected and Dr Phillip Keane, a forensic scientist conducts a meticulous reconstruction. Read how an independent woman politician is able to restore true democracy.
CAN WE HAVE POLITICIANS WITHOUT PARTIES?
Is it possible for politicians of all ilks to discuss ideas together, joining in solving problems and sharing in government? Or is politics better organised like football, with the players assigned to opposing sides? Neither the Australian Constitution nor the Local Government Act require political parties to exist — not any.
Our Westminster System of government emerged from Hegelian dialectical materialism, as discourse between politicians having opposing viewpoints, to arrive agreeably at new policies by compromise and synthesis.
Edmund Burke 1729-1797 was a statesman and philosopher who changed the concept of ‘politicians’ from grass roots community representatives to a professional elite.
‘Your representative owes you, not his industry only, but his judgment; and he betrays, instead of serving you, if he sacrifices it to your opinion.’
He was influential in the creation of strong, stable political parties.
‘When bad men combine, the good must associate; else they will fall, one by one, an unpitied sacrifice in a contemptible struggle. ‘ A political party could oppose the monarch or other political factions.
Burke changed politicians from being representatives of the people into self-serving professionals who combine together as many do today.
Modern political parties have emerged with functional integrity, but low adherence to public improvements.
Political party activities in a fictional city council are in focus in a crime fiction novel ‘Presumed Dead’ by Martin Knox. A feisty independent woman councillor opposes a government’s plan for a casino. It has repercussions that could transform city hall politics. This exciting book addresses issues of political philosophy and critically evaluates public policy processes in a practical local government setting.
Buy the book from Amazon or Zeus Publications at the bookstore:
See a Youtube video book trailer at this link:
