[:en]I believe it was Winston Churchill who said, “Democracy is the worst form of government - except for all the others”!!

I write from Austraila where a very dull, 8 week campaign culminates in a General Election on July 2nd; very dull (Churchill would not approve!!) but very democratic.

So, is democracy being challenged? Well I for one certainly hope so! It is the very essence of democracy to allow the model to be challenged and prove worthy or, if unworthy, to change or evolve.

It is, perhaps, worth noting that the British system of “democratic” parliamentary government and governance was widely exported but only successfully to countries where a large part of the population came from Britannia: Canada, Australia, New Zealand and then the exception to the rule – India. Most, not all, other nations or states (they are most definitely NOT the same!) gained Independence from the mother ship, attempted democracy but soon returned to pre-colonial traditions or autocracy.

The US of A, once a colony, is a case apart and seeks to hold high the flame of democracy, well simbolized by the Statue of Liberty, for other nations or states to marvel at – except France, of course, who gave the US of A this beautiful statue. Anyway, the French have always done things their own way…

Something we do know from the current, global status quo is that change is in the air. When you hear candidates commit to “honesty”, “sincerity”, “change”, “transparency”, “you can trust me” and other, similar, cheap slogans, you tend to wonder why they would consider offering anything else – regardless of their true intent!!

The BREXIT vote in the United (?) Kingdom stunned not only those who voted to REMAIN but leaders all around the world. As I write, the impact is still being assimiliated, but the only absolute here is that Democracy won, despite the predictions and both sides campaigning mostly on fear and half truths.

So, where is democracy headed in the US of A? Forwards? Backwards? Sideways? Evolving? Warping? Consoliating? Diversifying? Will I still be able to carry the submachine gun I need to feel safe while out shopping?

The Donald! I have no idea (nor do you!) what the outcome of the November General Election will be but The Donald, whether you approve of him or not, has used the right of free (and sometimes intollerant) speech to send a new message to voters disenchanted with “status quo” or “the system”.

The Donald has thrown a spanner in the works and, most probably, political life in the US will never be the same again. Some will remember Ross Perot who ran as an Independent (1992 & 1996) but “the system” dealt with him. However, The Donald is different because he has kidnapped (hijacked?) one of the two major, traditional parties – The Republican Party. Will he give it back? Highly unlikely!

Win or lose, The Donald has taken the “Democracy As Usual” model and torn up the rules book. Who will rewrite the rules?  All candidates must “play to the public”; they have to! But The Donald has found a new public, an angry public which feels unrepresented by “the system”.

Back over the Pond to England. London recently elected a Muslim Mayor – something unthinkable only 10 years ago. In fact, voting for the Mayor of London only started 12 years ago! However, at a time of major conflict between the extremist Muslim cause and everyone else, London democratically and overwhelmingly elects a Muslim to be Mayor - and he is (was!) pro REMAIN!

Yes, tear up the rule book, allow democracy to move onwards, forwards into the future, for change is the only constant in life – stand against change and you will simply get steamrolled. History teaches us that the future is about new ideas, a new order, new technology – so get on the train or get left behind.

Just vote for me – it is as easy as that!  I will fix your problems; honestly and sincerely….!!

I remain,

Santiago Eneldo

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