Tonight, following the Biden inauguration, I was asked whether I would ever consider being a politician

I prevaricated - I genuinely believe that those who seek power least deserve it

A thread

I am a member of no party, and I am aware that to do the job of an MP - properly - is a huge task.

It takes passion, commitment & a want to do the best for all

Which I CAN do

But it got me thinking

Everyone wants a leader - but we need more

We need a unifying cause to get behind

Simple & honest

I believe we all need to WANT truth, honesty, integrity

Irrespective of party.

That being held to account must be a basic requirement

That consequences must follow illegal behaviour

That misleading the public is never acceptable

That this should be a requirement to take up public representation.

I believe that the people need to feel that their views are represented - and that FPTP is the antithesis of that

That any serious democracy needs to embrace a form of proportional representation.

An any party resisting it is fundamentally anti democratic.

That any minister unwilling or unable to explain the reasons for their actions is basically untrustworthy.

No matter who you are or how you vote, that should be a given.

No blind faith - informed consent

All politics should work to the benefit of all - how it is achieved is the nuance of politics

But it should NEVER be at the detriment of one group

So - universal values.

Do they exist?

Because I feel we do not need a "Leader" - but a common basis.

Do we have common, simple values?

Or not?

And what would they be to you?

I really want to hear your views

@HackedOffHugh, @Keir_Starmer @NicolaSturgeon @fmwales @acgrayling - particularly you

What are your thoughts?