I get all excited on election day.
Today is local election day (not for all areas but for many) and also the Mayor of London vote, which I have no say in, but I think Boris is amazing.
So, off I trot after work to try and find my local polling station – there was one sign…right outside. I attempted a short cut which was actually the only way in so if I had gone the way the map seemed to suggest then I would have taken twice as long.
I could sense the danger as I stepped between the used nappies, super strength lager cans, empty baggies and seemingly empty syringes, oh and socialists, and made my way through the door, past two of the locals trying to get elected as my local councillor (the only two with a chance, Labour and Lib Dem – surprise, surprise the Tory wasn’t there), and I cast my vote…she nearly gave me two slips of paper but then obviously saw my bright blue trousers, realised I was a Tory and hence I was one of those only allowed one vote.
It was surprisingly busy actually, for a local election. Maybe 30-40% of voters will turn up. That is really good for a local election.
Anyway, with a heavy heart – I voted Lib Dem.
1. To try to keep Labour out.
2. As a thank you for supporting the Conservatives in government.
3. I actually like their policy of increasing the threshold as to where income tax kicks in, thereby reducing the tax I pay. I know this is a national thing and not local but I never got around to reading the leaflet they put through my door (actually I did but don’t remember much except something about a garden and an underpass).
4. Locally, I like the Conservatives pledge for a referendum on a mayor for Reading (does anyone else think I could make a good Boris?). Also probably the biggest fuck-up in Reading is the Labour-sponsored Shinfield Road traffic fuck-up which everyone hates except those in power that get kick-backs from Siemens Traffic Systems for installing traffic lights across the city. Sorry…town.
5. I think the Tories need a kick up the backside as I only rate their government performance as 5 our of 10 so far. Which is 5 higher than Labour managed from 1997 to 2010, but still, I had high hopes. I will be writing to them in due course.
We shouldn’t take democracy for granted. I don’t think people should be legally compelled to vote, as in Australia, but I do think it is one’s civic duty to at least consider it and pay a little attention to what goes on both nationally and locally.
Nobody needs to watch an hour of BBC Parliament every day, but this stuff they talk about affects your life and if you do not tell the politicians what you want, both by talking to them directly, and voting for them, you will not have your voice heard. Maybe you don’t want to be heard, that is fine and your choice in a democracy, but some of us, in case you cannot tell, have a lot to say.
I told the two candidates on the way out that I voted because Maggie told me to. The Lib Dem, who I met and recognised me, chuckled. The Labour candidate was none too impressed. Ho ho ho.
Though really I did it for people like Mohamed Bouazizi, who’s act of self-immolation changed the his part of the world (don’t Google it if you are easily up-settable) and all those who fought to get the right to choose our leaders.
I don’t have to risk my life for a stable future. Many did. I think voting is the least I can do and if I have encouraged one person to vote by writing this, even if they vote sodding Labour, then I have done my bit.
Enjoy the election x
No rooom for Tories in House Music, or Government.
I disagree. House music respects people of all persuasions, backgrounds and beliefs. It doesn't belong to any one sector of society, it welcomes all sectors of society.
More than willing to debate with you if you will reveal yourself.
I think you will be surprised to find we agree on many things, though on others we will certainly disagree, But that is the beauty of politics and debating.
Are you game?
The origins of house music were disco, which is black and gay and not conservative (either with a big 'C' or a small 'c'). No debate required.
I agree that one of the origins of house music was disco, but what about the early electronic movements from Germany? That influenced disco. And how about the bass sounds from the Caribbean? And the Madchester thing? All had an input in my eyes into creating house music.
I know gay people and black people who have conservative ideologies.
I accept there are some individuals in the Conservative party that are not so accepting of others but this endemic across all spectrums of society and I believe that over time, house music will make everyone more accepting of others.
The Tories aren't accepting of others though. They're a party for the wealthy minority, and don't care about anyone else. They try to dress up their policies as being based on common values and morality ('the family', 'hard work' etc), but in reality they'll do nothing to improve life for the majority of people.
I think house music had its moment as a vehicle for change years ago. Now it's just a leisure activity.
Wealth need not define who you support – for example, Alan Sugar is wealthy but he is a Labour man. I fully believe that over the course of the parliament, far more will have been done for poor and average workers than was done during the Labour years.
Labour is only for Labour people – ie trade union members, public sector workers,socialist/idealists or those on benefits.
I thoroughly disagree with your assertion that the Conservatives only look after themselves as their ideology does not allow for this.
However, I accept that it does not look good that the two most powerful people, in my opinion, David Cameron and George Osborne, are pretty minted. But they should not be judged for being rich – I believe that they inherited wealth, it is a circumstance of their life, and they could easily do something which would earn them lots more money given their privileged position, but yet they are trying to do what they believe is the best for the country, and I agree with them (by the way I earn less than the average wage, in case you are making judgements upon me).
In an ideal world everyone would be an idealistic 'labour person', not self interested Tories.
This Government will do nothing for the poor. Their policies so far persecute people for being poor, whilst making it easier for them to be exploited by the rich (e.g. proposed changes to employment laws to remove workers' rights).
The only good thing about their term will be the severe unlikliness that they will be re-elected again.
We will see. Don't forget Thatcher was miles behind Labour in mid-term. And that ended up a 17 year government.
As the destruction of the economy and society is reversed by this government, more people will come back around to their way of thinking – hopefully enough for them to get re-elected or we will become another Greece if the socialists get back in.