THERE is something very British about the way we view our political system.

Democratic, traditional and fair – or at least that is how most would have described it six months ago.

It has long been intriguing to listen to our politicians when they talk about electoral systems in other countries.

Always with the moral high ground whilst patronising the nation in question because they do not agree with certain systems or understand the different culture.

Now remind me, what should people who live in glass houses not throw?

On Friday morning we woke up to a new world (well most did, those who work in newspapers were up all night).

The buzz term was “political reform” as three party leaders who could not agree on anything last week decided that they actually had plenty in common after all.

But as “Prime Minister” Gordon Brown promised a referendum on proportional representation to Nick Clegg – his party has previously had 13 years to change the system if it believed it was that unfair – on Friday, I wondered what we would make of our political shenanigans if they occurred somewhere in, let’s say, the Middle East.

Despite claims by some political writers that this happens “all the time in Europe”, Panorama would dispatch an undercover reporter quicker than you can say "dictator" if this was going on in Iraq or Iran.

Just think about the facts.

I can imagine a national newspaper article now: “The new president took over from his predecessor despite the obvious lack of an election.

“He then brought the country to its knees during its biggest ever recession whilst continuing an illegal war that has cost billions.

“However, during this crisis politicians continued to help themselves to cash paid by the country’s long-suffering inhabitants leading to a huge revolt.

“They were also given palatial homes so they could be closer to the president’s palace.

“Meanwhile President Brown, who had given banks more power by allowing them to regulate themselves, oversaw their self destruction, but purchased them using taxpayers’ money and allowed them to carry on as before.

“It is also worth remembering that he had previously sold the nation’s gold for a rock-bottom price.

“This week, he faced the public for the first time and lost more seats in any one election than any previous leader in the last 80 years.

“However he has returned to his palace claiming he will remain in power as it is his ‘constitutional duty’.”

Makes you proud to live in a democratic society doesn’t it?

NO doubt I have made it abundantly clear that I am not Gordon Brown’s biggest fan.

Locally, however, the Labour Party has a lot of good people representing it.

I believed that a few more Labour candidates winning in their respective wards in our local elections would have been good for the district.

It has to be said that this was more in hope than expectation, but the local party has stayed true to its values and represents its voters well.

A lot of that is down to leader Roma Mills who lost in Batchwood. I have worked closely with Roma during the last three years on the Retailer of the Year awards.

Since cutting my teeth as a reporter way back in 1995, I think it is fair to say that I have never met a more hard-working or dedicated local politician.

It is an incredible shame that people voting in Batchwood could not distinguish between local and national politics – I say this because I cannot see any other reason why those living in the area would want a new councillor to represent them.

I am sure Amanda Archer will serve her ward well. However, I am positive that even she will agree that this city must have politicians like Roma.

At a time when people need politicians who care, with the public still furious with those who lined their pockets and sprawling council administrations prepared to push through their own agendas, selfless and canny councillors like Roma are needed more than ever.

It is a shame the majority of people living in Batchwood ward disagree.