I'm not sure that the shop floor should elect our managers but I certainly agree with BEX's sentiment that what is required is leadership.
Managers are two a penny and most people can do the managerial bits; few can do the motivational and inspirational stuff.
I have a hope that once TAG get stuck in then perhaps we shall see potential leaders elevated to the offices of where the current managers reside. Until then, selection of successors and colleagues is hugely biased towards those emulating the characteristics of those doing the selection....hence the lack of true leaders.
Jan