As some who live in britain may be aware, there is an election going on. Now, I've been trying to shy away from political blogging mainly due to my inability to do it particularly well, but I'll once again have a crack at it.
Many blogs will start with the phrase "Now I won't tell you who to vote for" but I'm different, I will, sort of, not really. At least I'm honest in trying to influence your vote, of course the reach of this blog particularly in a blogsphere full of blogs about the election means the effect will be about as much as my actual seat (Ultra safe labour), but, like voting for someone who isn't Douglas Alexander, I'll still write it. So, who do you vote for.
First, turn up to vote. I can't stress this enough, whatever level of hell we end up in its twice your fault if you didn't even bother getting out to vote. Spoil your ballot paper, write a protest, it doesn't get officially counted but you never know. Either way get off your sofa and Vote.
Second, if you have a good constituency MP, vote for them, regardless of party (Unless you find their politics particularly odious). Good constituency MPs are worth their weight in gold and don't let simple tribalism or anti-labour/tory sentiment do you out of a good one. How do you know? Well ask around, have they ever helped anyone you know? Do they hold regular surgeries, and finally, bt by no means foolproof, how often do they break ranks in votes. In general safe seats are held by one of two types of MP, good constituency MPs who could get voted in as an independent if de-selected, or Yes men (Douglas, I'm looking at you) who are more concerned about being de-selected by the party than serving their constituents. The former can break the whip without fear of reprisal, the latter can not.
Third, obviously considering the last post, don't vote conservative. I don't like being so blatantly partisan, but Don't. Now, you may ask why. Well I personally dislike their policies but there si something greater than my whims. Teh Tories are tied in very deeply with Rupert Murdoch and its been fun watching his papers scramble with the fear that the election may not be the forgone conclusion that Labour was in 1997, but a Tory loss this year would finally dispel the myth that the Murdoch papers decide election results rather than, say merely back winners. This would hopefully mean that never again will our leaders do shady deals with this millionaire tyrant in order to curry his favour, and the hopeless optimist in me also hopes for the new government, whatever its configuration, to perhaps consider the implications of one man holding this much power in the delivery of news and finally do something about it.
Fourth, Break safe seats, you may not unseat a candidate, but try to unseat some safe labour or tory ministers, or at least make the election night that bit less comfortable. Preferably do this voting for a smaller party, such as the Greens or indeed the lib-dems. You may not shift the yes man, but hopefully it will be a reminder of who they work for.
Fifth, ignore the scaremongering of a hung parliament. Alex Salmond of the SNP is right, despite my post about compromise politics, Minority governments and coalitions are the ultimate destination of true democracy. It means those who didn't vote for the winners can still have their views mean something, yes all too often the politicians take the huff and stop playing, but if we keep returning balanced parliaments they'll get the message.
Finally, vote for who you believe in, ignore all the parties saying candidate X will never win, they only won't win if no-one votes for them. In '97 safe seats fell, and they hopefully will this year. IF you like the greens, Vote green, if you like the lib-dems, vote lib dem, if you like UKIP or the BNP, stay at home (Ok vote, but you're wrong in just about every way) with any luck by next election we will finally be rid of this antiquated voting system and we can then see real change.
My vote, is private, but I'll tell you where I'm leaning, as I have no green candidate, its between the Lib-Dems and the SNP. The Lib-Dems, because It would be a real kicker for them to actually win the same or better seats than the other two. contrary to what the papers report the surge started before Nick Cleggs appearance on the leaders debates (Which also, contrary to what they said, he won and Cameron lost, on all fronts) because somehow people decided that they might win, and therefore weren't a wasted vote. They definitely represent the most liberal views of the big three. My other choice, the SNP. I'm still in principle opposed to Scottish independence but they do have some other attractive policies and have signed up to the Power 2010 pledge. Plus in the Scottish Leaders Debate Alex Salmond said the most sensible things about immigration (Here's a hint, it was the very opposite of the Daily Mail's stance) anyone has said all campaign. That alone is worth support.
Lets hope this all turns out, there's a feeling that we're close to real change, Not the kind Cameron is pedaling, I mean ground breaking change, it's a dream, so close you can touch it, I almost don't dare speak about it lest it melts and vanishes for all time. Its hope.
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