A Parliamentary Democracy explained

We live in a parliamentary democracy which means we elect Members of Parliament and they form governments and decide on laws. Unless of course we set that aside in a referendum, as we have just done, or else agree a treaty with other countries to abide by collective decisions, which we have just decided to scrap in that referendum. OK , so there are complications, but in general MPs vote and MPs govern in our name. Although we talk of electing a Prime Minister in reality a Prime Minister is whom so ever commands the support of the majority of MPs. David Cameron`s successor as leader of the Tory Party will be decided by whatever rules the Tory Party decide, however to become Prime Minister requires the support of sufficient numbers of MPs. Usually that would be a majority of the House of Commons in one party or a coalition of parties. A minority government can of course hold office but only if no other MP can command a greater degree of support from their colleagues. If for whatever reason a Prime Minister loses that support they can be replaced at any time by another MP, There is no requirement to consult the wider electorate.

The United States is not a Parliamentary Democracy. It directly elects a President who in turn appoints his or her government. Let me illustrate the difference by reference to two prominent politicians an American and a Brit. Donald Trump and Jeremy Corbyn are two very different characters but they are in a similar position. They both aspire to the highest office in their countries. They are also both very unpopular with elected members of their respective parties. Only one of these individuals has a realistic chance of realising that ambition. If Trump can win the Presidential election he can appoint anyone he wants to form his government. That government remains in power for the next four years and can only be changed should the President and deputy die or should Trump be impeached.

In the UK, Corbyn’s route to power is dependent on the support of colleagues which he does not have. Prime Minister Corbyn would need 300+ MPs to support him and maintain him in office and vote with him in nearly every division for years ahead. He would also need the closer support of around 90 MPs who would form the government and fill each of the ministerial positions. As 80% of the Parliamentary Labour Party has expressed its lack of confidence in its Leader where are the future loyalists to sustain the Corbyn administration? Well they are not in Parliament and short of arranging 172 byelections and winning them all a future Corbyn government is a fantasy.

Yet the membership of the Labour Party have elected Jeremy as leader. Either they did so because they do not understand how dependent governments are on continuous parliamentary support. Or they did not realise how little support he had amongst his colleagues. Or they have no ambition to get a Labour a government. Or they do not believe in parliamentary democracy.