A vote to ostracise Pericles. Photo (CC) Wallyg.

Occasionally there is a petition which does seem like a stroke of genius. This is an example.

We the undersigned petition the Prime Minister to create the procedure of ostracism as practised under the ancient Greek Athenian democracy.

Now I know what you’re thinking. Ostracism was a peculiarly Athenian idea. It’s all very well suggesting we have a vote and exile the most (un?)popular choice from the UK for ten years, but times have changed. Surely it couldn’t work in practice. Think about the fine detail.

But someone has.

Use any funds generated from TV rights for good causes.

Put the Baron of Weston-super-mare up against Tony Blair and you could fund the NHS for a decade from the fees from the phone-in votes.