LONDON — Britain and Japan have prime ministers who have not been endorsed by the electorate in a general election. Both are hanging on to power and argue that it is their right as prime minister to choose the date for the next election. Under our constitutions this is a valid claim, but is it in accordance with the maintenance of democracy in our two countries?

Public opinion polls show that neither prime minister has the confidence of a majority of the electorate. Indeed, both have aroused the anger and the contempt of many. There have been widespread calls in both countries for early general elections. They only remain in office because their parties are unwilling to throw them out, fearing that at a general election their party will lose.

Under our systems of government, members of Parliament almost invariably vote with the parties to which they belong. So, our democracy is in effect an elected dictatorship where the rights of citizens are protected not so much by elected parliamentarians as by appointed judges and the scrutiny of the media.