Page:Democracy, theoretical and practical (IA democracytheoret00hendrich).pdf/18

 to the condition of delegates, and statesmen to the level of politicians So long have the people been flattered with misleading statements about equality that it is no wonder they have underrated the value of management, and essayed to take the direction of affairs into their own hands sometimes. Almost immediately after the second Reform Bill was passed in 1867 big political organizations were formed in the larger industrial centres in Great Britain. The Birmingham Liberal Association was followed by the National Liberal Association, and in 1877 there was a national union of Conservatives.

These associations claimed the right not only to select candidates for Parliament, but also to draw up definite programmes for adoption, such as the famous "Newcastle Programme" in 1891. Had they succeeded in their aim members of Parliament would have had little more to do than carry out the mandates of organizations outside Parliament. All those who believe with Edmund Burke that representatives owe their judgment as well as their voice to their constituents, will be pleased to know that, in this particular aim, the associations failed. The leaders of the political party in Parliament found their restrictions too burdensome, and incompatible with the self-respect of men who aspired to lead and direct the nation in the assembly that represented all the people, and not merely a section. In the British Parliament it is the party leaders, and not the political associations of the electorates, that decide party policy, and rule the country in fact as well as in theory.

That is all to the good. Had the issue gone the other way it is difficult to see how the prestige and authority of the greatest of our institutions could have