Petition Basic Competence Tests for Electorial Candidates

In a large number of professions in both the private and public sector successive governments have introduced more and more required qualifications for jobs ranging from the relatively simply to professions where a minimum level of understanding is clearly required.

One profession which has more impact on the day to day lives of the majority of the British public than any other is that of a Member of Parliament.

I think before any candidate is allowed to stand in local, regional or national elections they should be required to demonstrate a basic understanding of economics, social responsibility and ethics.

The difficulty of these tests should reflect the responsibility the candidates would command should they be successful at election.