Simply Smith

WHAT is evident from the contents of page ten of the Keighley News is that everyone who has thought seriously about an issue sees that issue from a very personal perspective.

Consequently, one reader's opinion, more often than not, differs from that of his or her neighbour. One has to question, then, the value of what we, as a nation, are thinking.

However, I have to say that I have never been approached by anyone from these national polling organisations asking my opinion about any issue, nor, to my knowledge, have any of my acquaintances.

It has surely to be a tenet of democracy that it is the electorate that chooses a Government, not a polling organisation. They seem to be having a problem with this in the United States: the Government and the pollsters are sending out very different messages.

On the one hand the opinion polls are saying that President Clinton continues to enjoy the confidence of the voters.

On the other hand the Senate and Congress are set on a course of impeachment.

If this were to happen in this country the authority of Parliament would necessarily be further undermined, and I would begin to question the dominance of the House of Commons.

Why not get rid of elections altogether? Let the country be ruled by pollsters or even referendums. The will of the majority would then have complete sway.

But then, I ask myself, what about minority (perhaps significant) views on issues?

Who would safeguard those? Or would those views be deemed unimportant and cast aside? Of course they would.

In a Parliamentary democracy (albeit flawed) minority views can still affect the outcome of any debate.

It is important that these views be taken into account. Rarely is there a national issue, the answer to which the whole country can agree.

A good example is fox-hunting. The countryside lobby sees the problem in quite a different light to that of suburban Joe. If this question were to be put to the country for a decision I have no doubt that fox-hunting would ultimately be banned.

However, it is certainly open to debate whether banning fox-hunting would be a good thing.

Another issue, maybe closer to home, is the question of Keighley and Bradford Met parting company.

There are those in Keighley who would like to see the back of Bradford, but, I have no doubt, there are those who see the link with Bradford in a more positive light.

I'm for healthy debate on the matter, but in the final analysis I believe that Keighley needs Bradford just as Bradford needs Keighley. Bradford Met councillors regard the needs of Keighley in the same light as they view the problems of Ilkley or Manningham.

However, this is not an issue for an opinion poll to decide.

Keep those letters coming in, but let's not confuse anonymous opinion polls with Government: good or otherwise.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.