The problem with modern politics in the west can be summed up in six words: people are now smarter than politicians. The whole Westminster system is based on assumptions that are no longer valid: that people living in the same area share the same interests, for instance, and that people won't notice that swinging electorates get better treatment.

Australia is a little behind Britain on the curve, mainly because compulsory voting brings out electors who would otherwise neither know nor care who is in charge, and these tend to favour the major parties -- but the same kind of fragmentation is going to happen here too. It's to do with electors and interest groups learning how to game the system, in the way that politicians and political parties have been doing for decades.

Let me just add, by the way, that although I am an Obama fan, 'humble' is the last word I would use to describe him: and that if Christians are avoiding political debates (are they really?) it's possibly because they know that their arguments are crap.

British politics like Australia has been hopelessly infiltrated by cowards who have allowed secularist legislate in destroying the family unit. Leftist Christophobes rave about keeping religion out of politics while allowing Islam to soil areas of the country. They display their moral outrage at fantasies such as global warming while condoning the slaughter of millions of babies many times because of their own moral failures. They say private life does not affect public performance and then attack the character or beliefs of anyone with any decency. Secularist/feminist/socialist are really hidden codes for selfishness and that is exactly what is and will destroy the west. The rejection of the One who blessed these nations and replacing Him has left a total moral vacuum. No wonder so many young are turnng to the barbarism of Islam.

Runner, it might be off topic, but I need to point out to you and others, that the God which you worship is the same God so vehemently revered by your Muslim enemies.

Jon J. I have to agree with your comments about Obama, "humble" is certainly not a word I would use to describe him.

Back to the topic. Australia has already started to head down the same path. One only has to look at the size of the upper house ballot papers in the last few elections, both state and federal, to come to that conclusion.
David

'Runner, it might be off topic, but I need to point out to you and others, that the God which you worship is the same God so vehemently revered by your Muslim enemies. "

Oh I see David that must be why the followers of Mohammed kill followers of Christ in Iraq, Kenya, Indonesia, Syria etc etc. It is ignorance like yours shared among some of the apostate church that leads to so many problems/ Ask any Muslim if he serves the God and Father of the Lord Jesus Christ or the God of Israel and then tell me we serve the same God.

Runner, the Sunnis also kill Shiites and vice versa, all in the name of you non existent God.
David