If we keep talking about the elephant in the room maybe people will see it

I've only just seen Dan Hannan's excellent article in yesterday's Telegraph.  Dan powerfully makes the case that people have stopped voting because they think that politicians no longer exercise the important powers.  Restoration of the clear link between politicians and state action is the route to engagement with the public.  He gets it spot on in this extract,

"It all comes down to taking responsibility. These days, almost the first instinct of our politicians, faced with a tricky problem, is to bung it at someone else. Did Peter Hain misbehave? That's in the hands of the Electoral Commission. When do embryos become human? Let's ask the Human Fertilisation and Embryology Authority. What drugs should be available on the NHS? Over to you, Nice. Are A-levels easier? One for the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority. What should we be paid? Let's set up yet another wretched quango, further devaluing the democratic process. In consequence, elections stop mattering and people stop voting."

This is the real 'elephant in the room'.  Maybe if we keep talking about it people will see it.  Well said Dan! The full article can be seen here.