Politics
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It was only 3 years ago that the nation was in uproar about the expenses scandal and how much they hate politicians. Sadly, the people of Britain have had the opportunity to do something about this but have failed to act.
What people must realise is that politicians are the choice of the people, so if you hate politicians in general then you partly hate society. Yet what we have seen over the past 3 years is a return to tribal politics and simply not voting (that helps established politicians not hinders them).
The reason we found ourselves in the expenses scandal and the feeling our politicians are out of touch is because of our insistence to vote along party lines. The problem is the UK political parties generally don`t choose candidates who can engage with the public, but those who lick the arses of their party bosses. They can do this because they know the public are so stupid that they will vote for the party they always have done or only listen to what they hear on TV.
If the public unshackled themselves from tribal party politics and simply voted for the best candidate in their constituency, eventually you may find that politicians are more in touch with everyday lives. I so often here people say that all politicians are the same. Well in that case accept that the government doesn`t represent you. Only your MP can. Even if you don`t like any of the candidates, vote for the one you dislike least. That will send a message to political chiefs that quality candidates are the way forward and not faceless career politicians.
What people must realise is that politicians are the choice of the people, so if you hate politicians in general then you partly hate society. Yet what we have seen over the past 3 years is a return to tribal politics and simply not voting (that helps established politicians not hinders them).
The reason we found ourselves in the expenses scandal and the feeling our politicians are out of touch is because of our insistence to vote along party lines. The problem is the UK political parties generally don`t choose candidates who can engage with the public, but those who lick the arses of their party bosses. They can do this because they know the public are so stupid that they will vote for the party they always have done or only listen to what they hear on TV.
If the public unshackled themselves from tribal party politics and simply voted for the best candidate in their constituency, eventually you may find that politicians are more in touch with everyday lives. I so often here people say that all politicians are the same. Well in that case accept that the government doesn`t represent you. Only your MP can. Even if you don`t like any of the candidates, vote for the one you dislike least. That will send a message to political chiefs that quality candidates are the way forward and not faceless career politicians.
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dont vote for any of them that will send a message quicker.
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Victorious candidates couldn`t give careless about turnout or people who don`t vote. To them a win is a win. Voting for the best or failing that the least worst is the only way forward. It will take time change would come.
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so voting for the one you dislike least is better than not voting?
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and if turnout goes less than say 20% they shirley dont have a mandate to be elected.
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1) I do believe voting for the least worst is better than not voting at all.
2) I agree with you. Sadly, most victorious candidates don`t care as long as they win. I remember in 1997 when they had the Welsh Assembly referendum. Opinion polls clearly pointed to a victory to the "No" camp. "Yes" won 51-49%, with a turnout of 50%. It was suggested that this result was invalid due to the low turnout but Tony Blair`s view was that a "win is a win". Suppose he had a point though, as at what stage do you declare an election result invalid? |
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Even if you don`t like any of the candidates, vote for the one you dislike least. That will send a message to political chiefs that quality candidates are the way forward and not faceless career politicians.
The problem is that if I vote for a principled Tory, he is still going to go along with the party whip most of the time, even if he has the balls to rebel occassionally. Most of his input is therefore to shore up government policy which I detest. This is far more important to me than whether he is corrupt or incompetent or whatever. Those things don't affect me directly-government policy does. |
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Democracy without a "RON" or "none of these" option is a bit lacking.
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The trouble is that no party will want to introduce such an option because it runs the danger of exposing just how disaffected people are. There might be Hon None of the Above MPs returned all across the country.
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The problem is that the RON people aren't united, they're disaffected from across the spectrum. If they were all of the same political persuasion, a party or platform would emerge, but extremists aren't popular.
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No need for "None Of These" option. If you really can`t choose between candidates then spoil your paper. It is far more honourable than simply not bothering to make the trip to the polling station.
Cheese - I see your point and cannot argue with it. However, I don`t think people generally believe any of the political parties anymore. They either don`t vote or vote for the party they and their family have always voted for. This could re-engage the masses in democracy. |
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Most of his input is therefore to shore up government policy which I detest. This is far more important to me than whether he is corrupt or incompetent or whatever. Those things don't affect me directly-government policy does.
Some of you socialists make me want to puke my balls up. You think it preferable to vote for a crook because he wears your rosette than a man of principle whose views you may disagree with. Give me a Dennis Skinner or a John Smith over an oily snake oil salesman out to fleece the country who espouses views I may feel a more natural allegiance towards. At least I know what Skinner truly stands for. The other fella is far more likely to stab me in the back than the front. |
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I agree with avro. We need a movement towards Independent candidates of quality and that can only come via the people.
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All very good chaps, but the stupidity of our electorate won't allow this to happen.
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They either don`t vote or vote for the party they and their family have always voted for.
Sums it up I'm afraid, we're a country of morons |
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At least I know what Skinner truly stands for.
Not as 'squeaky clean' as you imply. Just another trough guzzler. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5412667/Dennis-Skinner-claimed-for-accountants-fees-on-MPs-expenses.html |
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I don`t think we need a mass of independents though I have no problem with them. I don`t think it is secret on here that I`m Lib-Dem leaning. However, I did vote Labour last month in local elections simply because the Labour candidate is a good man with a long history of serving the community. If people could make informed judgements like that in general elections, I think we would have a better quality of MP.
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madasahatter 06 Jun 12 10:48
At least I know what Skinner truly stands for. Not as 'squeaky clean' as you imply. Just another trough guzzler. http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/newstopics/mps-expenses/5412667/Dennis-Skinner-claimed-for-accountants-fees-on-MPs-expenses.html Careful. Don't upset the people who pray to the God that is known as Dennis. |
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Anybody with half a brain can see theres no real choice. The ruling classes, the people that run the media, and vested interests have no interest in changing the status quo. Labour/Tory/Lib Dem are virtually indistinguishable now. Theres only two politicians I have time for right now and thats Caroline Lucas and Nigel Farage an odd mix I agree. I intend to spoil my ballot paper next time round, as the Tories are a shoe in round here every time
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Pounf, how can you say that you will spoil your paper when you don`t know who your candidates will be. You may have the opportunity to elect a really decent man or woman to become your next MP, but by not voting you may end up with some halfwit who cares only about themselves and their party.
Forget Cameron, Clegg, Miliband, Balls, etc... Unless one of them happens to be your MP. We must overcome this myth that our votes are used to elect governments. They are not. All we can do is elect a good local MP. The sooner we as a nation realise this the less apathetic we become about politics. |