Political amnesty in return for political reform?

paddyland

Is there a stomach in this country for a bond between the people and the government, to gain complete root-and-branch reform of the political system in return for an amnesty for previous governments and their failings? My idea is something I myself would have great difficulty in accepting comfortably, but might be a cheap answer if the reward was the total restructuring of politics, from the ground up.

What would be required first of all, would be a think tank, asking just what kind of political system would deliver the changes that would help to eradicate the worst excesses of corruption, croneyism, profligate waste and inertia. What kind of system would deliver fair and appropriate representation? What kind of system would deliver meaningful change and prosperity on the ground? What kind of system would be totally transparent and above reproach?

In order to deliver a radically new political system, with all of the taints of corruption of the past eradicated, a bond would be made to give amnesty to previous corrupt governments, the ceasing of all the tribunals (and their exorbitant costs), and the forgiveness of such people as Bertie Ahern, Ivor Callely, Brian Cowen, the whole lot.

Now I would happily see Bertie Ahern on top of a funeral pyre, or flung overboard far out at sea, but I have to get over my own anger and frustration, and look forward. No political party at present is going to deliver the political reform we so badly need. No party even discusses the issue with any urgency, given that everything else we do with regard to our sovereign debt is for nothing without political reform.

Perhaps an amnesty, as hard to stomach as it might be, would be the answer to getting change we otherwise might not possibly enjoy. Such an amnesty would have to be across the board; yes Bertie, and even Ivor, would have to walk away into the sunset, like paramilitary prisoners did under the Good Friday Agreement.

The requirements would be as follows:

1. The tribunals would publish their reports, and be wound up.
2. No further action would be visited upon politicians accused of corruption.
3. The front bench of every party, government and opposition, would stand down, in honour of impartiality.
4. Fianna Fáil would retire from the Dáil altogether for two full terms.

In return, a wholly new political system would be devised and inaugurated, under the guidance of a panel of respected political and business advisors, with input from journalistic commentators, foreign mediators and advisors, and a representative jury of the general public. These people would assemble purely for the purposes of inaugurating a new political system, for no remuneration other than necessary expenses, and then stand down. If people need to be paid to do this, then they are not interested in it for it's own sake, and should not partake.

This would ensure we get the full rigours of political reform we so badly need, and stand no chance of seeing under present administrations. It would also give an opportunity to disgraced politicians to retire with an albeit undeserved dignity. Remember, it is a hand of peace, on the guarantee of political reform, nothing more.

I will admit to my own misgivings, but if it were a way to deliver political reform that we otherwise have no hope of seeing, I would gladly see it done. Remember, I don't see FG or Labour rushing to reform anything, any more than FF. Do stop and think about it, before rushing to judgement.