Churchill famously stated, “Indeed it has been said that democracy is the worst form of Government except for all those other forms that have been tried from time to time.”

Debating different electoral systems of democracy is important. They all have their downsides. First Past The Post leads to a majority in Parliament with frequently a very small percentage of the overall vote; Proportional Representation of one sort or another often ends in coalition governments and smaller parties having undue influence over larger ones.

We should decide where the balance lies for us. I loathe wasted votes and tactical voting, wish to see every vote count, and a massive proportion of voters participate. We could make voting compulsory or provide better education of what’s at stake, how a system works and who the different players are.

Participation shouldn’t just be at election time but between too. That requires those who have been elected to be available to discuss tricky issues, genuinely listen to citizens and help devise solutions.

We need more people coming forward to stand at every level of government, from community and town councils through to county councils, the Senedd and Westminster, plus a diverse range of voices. Most of Ceredigion’s community councils have been ‘run’ by the same people for years. They avoid having elections because of the cost. Many keep their precept down to a minimum with the result that nothing much gets done in their communities. Of course, these kind councillors are unpaid. At next May’s County Council elections, the order for new larger community and town councils with fewer members will come into force. That’s an excellent time for all these councillors to resign, stand for re-election but let’s also have fresh blood with new ideas.

We’re not very good in the UK at subsidiarity. This wonderful word was much discussed during the Brexit referendum time. It means allowing issues to be dealt with at the lowest appropriate level of government. It shouldn’t mean dumping things on lower levels. A tourist town like Aberystwyth can accept the responsibility for public toilets if they can keep the income from a tourism tax, and/or payments from said toilets, rather than simply upping the precept for the residents of Aberystwyth, many of whom struggle financially already.

Bus shelters are dealt with by some community councils. Others are being asked to follow. Which ones have the competence to ensure the timetables are correct, to clean and fix these shelters? And should we agree a county wide style? Communities are best placed to engender pride. The flowerbeds and tubs in Aberaeron enhance the beauty of the place, great for tourists and residents alike.

We also need to consider politicians’ expenditure? Accepting large donations, especially from foreign and powerful donors, is unacceptable. State funding for parties could stop the big donor influence. Corruption is evil. We all recognise it, even in football. I’m not at all interested in the World Cup but I cheered when Belgium beat the USA 4-1 after the disgraceful behaviour of President Trump who had clearly demanded a red card decision to be reversed for the top USA scorer.

We can demand better behaviour from our politicians and our civil servants. They are or should be our servants, not our masters. I’m prepared to criticise people from any political party and offer praise when it’s due. Forcing a by-election in a constituency not your own so that you can squirm your way to the top job in the country I find totally unacceptable. Andy Burnham will struggle to earn my respect. Nigel Farage’s farcical resignation is beyond contempt. Deliberately trying to avoid scrutiny over millions of pounds worth of donations, it’s risible the way he still pretends to be the man you have a drink with in a pub. He’s the ultimate hypocrite, using provocative language about immigrants but being a fully-fledged internationalist himself. If we had a written constitution, rules could be set that dictate when a by-election can be called, for example if an MP or close family member is seriously ill, or if the MP is found guilty of serious misdemeanour.

I’ve written to all our six new Senedd Members regarding bus information in Ceredigion-Penfro and about the unsafe crossing in my village. The Conservative MS, Paul Davies, immediately emailed me back to say he’d ask questions of the Minister which he’s done. Kerry Ferguson, Plaid Cymru MS, has asked the Minister too, who has already responded positively regarding the crossing. Thanks to both Paul and Kerry. The two Reform UK MSs haven’t even deigned to acknowledge my email. Yet it was Ceredigion-Penfro Reform MS Claire Archibald who told the Cambrian News and the Tenby Observer that public transport “must be treated as a serious part of any discussion around rural healthcare, employment and access to services.” Yes Claire, please be serious!