The beauty of a democracy – even a half-baked one like the one operating in the UK – is that you can vote for whoever you want; Conservative, Labour, SNP, Plaid, Lib Dem, Green, Brexit, UKIP, DUPโฆ The key thing is that you think about the consequences of doing so. But here’s my opinion…
I would love to have a rainbow coalition of parties in government; Corbyn in charge (although I think there are others – Keir Stamer, Caroline Lucas etcโฆ – who would make better candidates in the longer term) working alongside the Lib Dems, SNP, Green(s) to form a left leaning government that works in the best interests of the majority of people in Britain. People across this country have been duped by the right wing for many, many years. In 1979, Mrs Thatcher stood on the steps of Downing Street and uttered the following (quoted) words:
“Where there is discord, may we bring harmony. Where there is error, may we bring truth. Where there is doubt, may we bring faith. And where there is despair, may we bring hope.”
Margaret Thatcher, quoting Francis of Assisi
After 27 years of the Tories being in control of Britain, it hasn’t happened. In fact, her comments bring a ludicrous smile to my face (“may we bring truth…”!). Yet millions of people still vote for them. Just as millions voted for Brexit. Those people have been duped into believing that their lives are fantastic. We live in the fifth richest country in the world! Look at the city of London and all those stunning skyscrapers! Visit the shops full of shiny things to buy! Yet take a cycle ride across Europe and you will struggle to find the levels of deprivation that you find in almost all British towns and cities. This country contains some of the wealthiest regions of the European Union. But it also hosts a disproportionate number of the poorest. The gap between rich and poor in the UK is stunning. And the people who finance the Conservative Party (as well as the billionaire owners of the Mail, Telegraph, Sun, Times…) want to keep it that way. Our country is crumbling through lack of investment; the hospitals, the schools, social services, the transport network, the roads… don’t get me started on the cycle lanes!
A left-leaning coalition would begin to put that right. It will only happen by voting out the Tories. A vote for the future of Britain might well be a tactical one. It is for me. The rich funders of the Tory Party won’t thank you for doing it but hey, that’s democracy, even democracy British-style…
Watch this video made by Ken Loach if you are struggling to understand the slogan ‘for the many, not the few‘. You are probably – like me – in the former group…
Categories: Cycling
Some of us have done our bit. Voted tactically to try and defeat the local Tory. Waiting for the results with baited breath. We will either wake up in the morning to a new dawn or a dystopian future.
Thanks Andrew for your continued support and insight.
Yes, we will see… I fear the dystopian future but I’m clutching onto the hope of the new dawn.
I’m amazed you think any of them make a difference.
All I see is a bunch of self inflated idiots masquerading as people who have some kind of principles.
Labour – Antisemitism- Oh sorry, Corbyn’s dealt with that cos he’s not racist
Tories – 20 new hospitals – well that’s sorted that problem? Islamophobia?
Liberals – Jo Swinson?? Lets just forget Brexit ever happened (I’m a firm remainer, but we can’t just ignore the referendum)
Billy Connolly got it right “don’t vote; you’ll only encourage them”
If nobody votes, they’ll understand how unimportant they are and perhaps start to act with some integrity, although I doubt it.
Remember Screaming Lord Sutch?… the best slogan ever; “Vote Insanity..you know it makes sense”
I know it’s cynical …… but don’t think any of this lot will deliver anything meaningful, they’re too full of self interest.
That’s why we ride our bikes…… it’s the best way to forget about them.
Off to yoga now to calm down
I disagree. Iโve met quite a few politicians in my time. They donโt, in the main, fit the caricature that you describe. Alas the ones that do fit that caricature tend to have the kind of personalities that elevate them to the highest of office. Thatโs particularly true on the right of the political spectrum. For many of them it is a game…
I’m not Corbyn’s biggest fan – a tad too far to the left – but he’s certainly the least worst of the party leaders and he seems to be the only leader possessed of any decency. Jo Swinson? look at her Coalition voting record. BJ? How do you know when he’s lying? His lips move. NF? A loathsome creature who has done incredible damage to this country. Unfortunately I think the election has been swung by a smear campaign so vicious that even Josef Goebbels would be impressed. There’s something bizarre about a racist press and a racist government shouting “Racist!” at our most anti-racist MP.
Yes, you make a good point about the whole racism thing. Another example of how many people have been duped…
Can only vote Labour then.