I just wrote a big long post about the looming UK General Elections. About how Labour are almost certainly on the way out, but Posh Boy and his Tories haven't got the keys to Downing Street just yet, and that "wee chancer" Nick Clegg from the Liberal Democrats could still be kingmaker. But it was all too convoluted. I confess that a long-dormant and somewhat geeky passion for the workings of government, the British constitution, electoral reform and UK politics in general that had been slumbering within me since I graduated with my BA (Hons) 2:1 more than 10 years previously, came bubbling back to life.
So I'm switching tack. There's an election on Thursday and I don't know which party to vote for. It so happens the constituency I vote in is, historically, a pretty safe Labour seat. As in, give my dog a red rosette and she'd probably be returned. Especially if you told voters she was a former miner. So probably my actual vote won't swing things either way. But still, I shall vote according to which candidate and which party best represents what I want to see from a government.
But I don't know who to vote for. Not voting Labour because of FO Tony, and they are just flailing around uselessly, and even if I respect Gordon Brown for some of his principles (notably Third World debt), he's not cut out for politicking. Am hard-wired not to be able to vote Tory. Voting Tory would only be an option if it were a strategic vote to block the BNP or UKIP (incidentally, UKIP standing in my constituency - will lose their deposit with any luck). So will never vote Tory. Certainly wouldn't ever vote for Droopy and his one-issue joke party. Would at one time have considered the Greens, but no more. Not since they leaped into bed with the Nats at Holyrood. They have sullied themselves. Other candidates standing in my constitution include someone from the Trade Union and Socialist Coalition (Commies?), an "Independent" (requires further investigation), and a Liberal Democrat. Until recently, that would have been pretty much a no-brainer. But last weekend chisel-chinned Nick Clegg declared, in the likely event of no outright majority for any party, his party would offer its support first to Posh Boy and his horrid Tories to form a government. Oh no!!!! What he actually said was don't count on the Lib Dems to prop up Labour if they come third in the popular vote. Which, if I stick to my electoral reform principles, is fair and right. But primitive instinct tells me is wrong. I mean, the Tories?
So I don't know which party to instruct my proxy to vote for on my behalf. I need to find out about this "Independent" chap. And fast.
4 comments:
Nearing election time here, as well. I'll be voting lib.dem. as the tards who screwed us up so badly have not yet been forgiven. We could sure use a real 3rd party over here, I can tell you.
I felt the same for the last elections in France. I had to tell my proxy who to vote for and I was clueless. I know who I didn't want to vote for, that was about it.
Phew. The bad guy got elected. I was so mad...
My MP is D. Cameron and the seat is considered 'ultra safe'. This really limits my options, but the thought of writing 'You're all greedy tossers' on the ballot paper makes me smile.
@Ghosty I think multi-party is ultimately more stable than two-party. It forces a consensus and marginalises the extremes. :)
@Zhu This is the first time I approach an election with a negative objective: not the Conservatives. The idea of them in government again gives me shivers!
@Brennig I laughed very much at this. I suspect my brother might be doing something similar with his ballot too ;)
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