Posted by Tania Kindersley.
At last, the election has been called. For a political geek like me, this is Christmas and Easter rolled into one. It is not only a potentially historic election, whichever side wins, it is also the first time ever in my life that I am not certain who shall get my vote. This is making me feel febrile and uncertain. I have voted Labour since I was old enough to put a cross in a box, but I don't think I can go on with Gordon Brown. There are many reasons, but perhaps the most crucial is: he spent £18 billion on two wars, still did not get the right kit to the troops in Afghanistan and then misled Chilcot about it. And: too many of the children still cannot read.
Can the Tories convince me? It would go against muscle memory. I am the mythical Floating Voter, ready to be enlightened. The next four weeks are going to be fascinating.
Here is what I am least likely to say:
They are all the bloody same.
Here is what I am most likely to say:
Answer the damn question.
(Photograph by Rui Vieira.)
I can't even vote as I've elected not to become a British citizen (too many reasons to go into here), but I am absolutely obsessed with this election. And very frustrated.
ReplyDeleteSomebody interviewed on the news today said, 'Why can't the politicians just get on with it and tell us how they're going to cut spending. They all know the problem is there; why can't they discuss it openly?'
But this voter's solution to her frustration was not to vote. I'd give my right arm to be able to, so cannot understand why so many British people just can't be bothered.
Do they want a Hung Parliament?
I love politics. It's the only soap opera I follow, and this election is going to be absolutely fascinating.
ReplyDeleteI've already started to get irritated with the amount of people featured on news programmes saying that they can't be bothered voting - gah!!
ReplyDeleteI'm muchly looking forward to it all. May even take the day after the election off work so I can geekishly stay up all night watching BBC swingometers and suchlike.
It is exciting but I also really want to see a change this time- from all of them.
ReplyDeleteOf course this is a whole other debate but do you live somewhere where your swing vote matters? That's my problem- where i was living was a hotly contended seat and i have just moved to a very safe one and i feel rather disenfranchised. Still I always vote as if my vote counts, even when it doesn't really.
I'm excited as I haven't been since the night I sat up watching the Conservatives lose their last Scottish seat.
ReplyDeleteI've never voted anything other than Labour, but this year, I'm considering my options, for two reasons. One of them is, unfortunately, Gordon Brown, even though I prefer his brand of dour stubbornness to Tony Blair's glibness, and I cannot think of a single member of the party who would make a better leader.
The other is that, like Rose, I feel rather disenfranchised. My Labour vote will not make the tiniest difference to the result in my constituency. However, I loathe my MP, and a Lib Dem vote might be more likely to see him lose the seat. I'm not sure whether I can bring myself to vote tactically.
Somebody interviewed on the news today said, 'Why can't the politicians just get on with it and tell us how they're going to cut spending. They all know the problem is there; why can't they discuss it openly?'
ReplyDeletedata entry work from home
Hi there. I've just been referred to your blog by a comment on my own blog on the same subject at http://www.simonvarwell.co.uk/2010/04/why-the-forthcoming-general-election-will-matter/
ReplyDeleteBesides being glad you're not going to vote Labour or Tory, I'd just to say I really hope you get the answers to the questions you seek!
It will be a fascinating four weeks.
There I was, thinking oh, no one is interested in politics any more, it is just me and my anorak, and I risk alienating all my lovely readers. And then I get all your delightful comments. I agree with all of you. Hurrah for political engagement.
ReplyDeleteAnd Rose, just to answer your specific question: no, I am in a safe seat, which is a little frustrating. I still vote though, out of principle, in memory of all those suffragettes who fought for my right to do so, and because I think you can't complain if you don't put your cross in the box. If I can say this without sounding too insane, I think of it as a vote for democracy. (Going to take my pills now.)