Arsenal without Sp*rs -Why having an opposition matters!

Obviously, human preference would always be to have everyone agree with you — to have the world operate to your tastes. The reality is, we all know that’s a ridiculous suggestion. Instead, we rely on our ability to rise above those animalistic instincts and accept that compromise and altruism must win out. And that brings us to democracy as a societal structure — something I believe in passionately.

As someone who aligns with a particular set of political values, you might imagine I’d wish away all opposition parties. The truth could not be further from that. Those who truly believe in democracy should also support the need for parties representing the full range of viewpoints and values within society.

Take football as an analogy. Fans are often quick to abuse, even physically attack, their opponents — but without an opposition, they have no game. The same is true, though more nuanced, in politics. Without balance and challenge from an opposition, you end up with a single narrative — and that’s called a dictatorship.

So, do I revel in seeing political parties apparently talking themselves into extinction? No. Do I believe they at least need to offer something that is not hateful, illegal, or inciteful of violence? Absolutely.

My reflection at the moment, as some celebrate the ‘old establishment’ parties fading away, is to ask: what replaces them? And is that healthy for democracy, if we truly believe in it?

One positive by-product that might emerge from what could be some highly unpredictable elections ahead is that even the ‘old boys’ who survive by first-past-the-post may begin to question its validity — perhaps even for their own survival. If we reach that point, then we may finally break through to an even better form of democracy than we’ve ever experienced before.