As part of my role on the Council of Europe, (not to be confused with the European Union), it is my job to monitor European elections. My task is to talk to local NGOs, journalists, Election Commissioners, and politicians from participating parties. Long term observers inform us as to what has gone on in the country in the weeks in the lead up to the election.
I then team up with another MP from another Council of Europe country and visit several polling stations to observe first-hand the processes taking place. Anything untoward is clarified with observers at the polling station from other parties. It also demonstrates the interest that we have in ensuring that proper democratic norms are observed and the general desire to promote democracy throughout the world.
The Government supports many other organisations promoting democracy throughout developing Europe and the rest of the world, such as the Foundation for Western Democracy, OSCE, Commonwealth Parliamentary Association and the Inter Parliamentary Union as well as our well established network of Embassies and High Commissions which support workshops and seminars on democracy.
Sadly the antics which have played out during the past few months, in Britain, in relation to the stolen referendum on the future of the EU demonstrates the gulf which exists between what we say and what we do. Fancy footwork, smoke and mirrors and deft twisted handwork fools nobody.
96% of the old EU constitution is the same as the Lisbon treaty. It's a fact. Most EU leaders boast about the vast similarity of the two documents to reassure their Federal States of Europe supporters.
The scene of an outgoing Premier who tells the nation that the manifesto promise on the referendum has now been junked, which is adopted by the incoming Premier stinks. The fact that the outgoing Premier had also stated that he would remain Premier for a full term, but went half way through does not enhance our processes. The bottled general election decision by Brown clearly has damaged him, and our democratic processes. The creation of a new EU Presidency job by the Lisbon treaty which is actively sought by Blair leaves a nasty bitter taste in the mouth. The whipped votes in Parliament with timetabled debates denied full debate even in the Mother of Parliaments. The Lib Dems' decision to have a three line whip to abstain after they too had promised a referendum was simply stupid and stunning in equal proportions.
How much more difficult this Government has made our role in promoting democratic norms throughout the world. We cajole, educate and threaten undemocratic countries. We encourage developing democracies to adopt our systems because they are better than any other system we can see, and empowers their peoples.
Lets hope that we can continue our important work in rolling out democratic models in other countries. Let's hope that young politicians from fledgling democracies will continue to visit Westminster and discuss how they can learn by what we do in more established democracies. Lets hope that President Elect Medvedev allows long term observers in Russia for future elections. Let's hope that former Soviet States are able to see the justice, long term stability and economic prosperity that comes from following established and recognised democratic norms.
Let's hope we start to listen to what we tell them, remember that other Governments, politicians and people yearning to live free watch what we do, and not just what we say. Let's hope we recognise what we are doing, and that we have a larger role outside the UK than just railroading through a measure which has silenced the people, broken a manifesto promise and has brought shame on all of us involved in British politics today.
