Post by Elliot Kane on Feb 15, 2010 6:58:00 GMT
The State Of British Politics
Election year, which means it's a good time to take a look at British politics as it stands right now and explain why so many people probably won't be voting at all.
There is, to put it mildly, a vast gulf between parliament and the people, right now. The most important issues to the majority of people are most likely immigration; the EU and Britain's place in it; the economy; political corruption. Not necessarily in that order, but most Brits would mention at least two of the 'Big Four' issues if asked about their major concerns. Not that they'd necessarily use those terms, but it all comes down to Britain's right to govern itself and the citizen's right to make a reasonable life for themselves if they can.
The majority of Brits want the question of Europe settled. A small majority wish to leave the EU, a much larger majority want a referendum on our place within it, to give democratic legitimacy to the whole process. It's the one thing most pro- and anti-EU people have in common - neither side thinks it is fair to continue integration without a referendum. NONE of the major parties will even seriously talk about Europe, let alone offer the people a choice.
Immigration is not in itself a bad thing and few Brits would disagree with that. What IS a bad thing is a huge uncontrolled flood of people who then create ghettos rather than integrating with the native population, leading to social tensions and a growing sense that Brits are becoming foreigners in their own country. What makes it worse is the ugly screams of 'Racist!' at anyone who dares to suggest that uncontrolled immigration is perhaps not a good thing. Tensions are rising which causes an increase in ghettoisation which causes greater tensions... You get the idea. The children of migrants are also Brits, but too many are feeling alienated and under siege in what should be their own nation because of all this. It's a huge mess and needs urgently sorting out. No major party seems prepared to lay out exactly what they will do to address this.
The Economy is down the toilet thanks to the absolute financial incompetence (And fiscal incontinence) of the current government. The state sector is grown vastly too large, taxation is at the highest level on record and Britain is STILL in debt to the largest percentage of GDP it has ever been. With the recent reckless money printing, the shadow of inflation looms large. Needless to say, this threatens people's financial and employment security and they aren't happy about it.
Political Corruption AKA and more commonly known as 'sleaze'. After the huge scandal that engulfed all parties regarding parliamentary expenses last year, MPs are held in utter contempt and distrusted as never before. The lying, the cheating, the weasel words used by too many to deny any wrongdoing, the pathetic excuses for utter greed... Britain is sick of the political classes as a whole. A few individuals came out well, but every party was shown to be fundamentally corrupt. For many people, this will be the main issue.
The State Of The Parties
Britain has three major parties and a host of minor ones. I'm not going to look at every small group that will put up candidates, just at those who represent a serious political movement within Britain as a whole. If you wince while reading this list, you are not alone...
As a side note, there ARE good MPs in all three major parties. They are just kinda rare.
The Labour Party - the current government. Arguably the most corrupt and almost certainly the most incompetent government in modern times, they are both racist (anti-white) and sexist (anti-men). The few good Labour MPs are all backbenchers and nowhere near the centre of power. The current PM, Gordon Brown, is manifestly unfit for the position, showing every sign of a proud man promoted far above his ability who does not know how to cope or quit. An unmitigated disaster of a party.
The Conservative Party - the current opposition. Seem to have no principles and few if any policies they will state openly, let alone actual plans on how to implement those policies. Their leader, David Cameron, resembles a sales manager - slick, professional and with the kind of face that makes it all but impossible to tell if he is lying or not. If he genuinely believes in anything, he is careful not to say so. The Conservatives have singularly failed to challenge the government on almost every major issue of the day and seem completely lacking in nerve, confidence and judgement. The party show no signs of being fit to govern and are frankly unelectable.
The Liberal Democrats - the third major party. The remains of the old Liberal party, the Lib-Dems are basically the party of the protest vote. They have no chance of getting near power, can't even vote the right man into the leader's chair (Nick Clegg being a mediocre non-entity), and seem to make up policy on the fly. More of a running joke than a party, they haven't been a serious force in politics since the 1800s. In the event of a hung parliament, they are likely to hold the balance of power, which is frightening. But probably moreso for them as they seem content to be nothing and nowhere. A party of very low aspiration.
United Kingdom Independence Party - AKA UKIP. UKIP have no MPs at the moment, but they are nonetheless a serious spoiler force and the majority of disaffected ex-Conservative voters who vote will likely vote for UKIP. As the name would suggest, UKIP wants Britain to pull out of the EU. They have several MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) and are a growing force in British politics purely becuse no major party is prepared to listen to the people on one of the major issues of the day. The Conservatives could finish UKIP at a stroke by offering the people a referendum on Europe.
The British National Party - AKA the BNP. The BNP are Nationalist and Socialist. I'm sure you can put that together correctly... The majority of disaffected ex-Labour voters who vote will likely vote for the BNP who are riding high on a tide of anti-immigration feelings. They seem to create policy based on popularity and are ruthless exploiters of the political status quo. A (very) recent vote of the party removed the clause forbidding non-whites to join the BNP. The fact that clause was ever there says everything about them that needs saying, IMO. The BNP also have a couple of MEPs and are a growing force in politics. The Labour Party could wipe them out at a stroke by dealing with the immigration crisis.
The Green Party - AKA the Greens. Concerned only with environmental issues, they are a great protest vote for the environmentally conscious. Have a couple of MEPs, so worth mentioning, but not really a rising or declining force in British politics generally. Taken seriously these days, though, which is a major step up from where they were 30 years ago. Unlikely to affect anythng.
The Scottish National Party - AKA the SNP. Noteworthy as they are a significant force in Scottish politics and may well end up costing Labour the next election if they do well enough there. They have a number of seats in parliament already, and their leader, Alex Salmond, is a fly political operator. May have damaged their chances by saying they want Scotland to be 'independent but in Europe' recently (A total contradiction in terms and a serious miss-step) but nonetheless the protest vote of choice in Scotland AND a serious political force in their own right. Will stand for seats in Scotland only.
Plaid Cymru - AKA the Welsh nationalist party. Hold a small number of seats in Wales, but have nowhere near the influence the SNP do in Scotland. A minor spoiler force only, they seem to do little that is not at a local level. Will stand for seats in Wales only.
***
That's the state of British politics as it currently stands, as seen through the eyes of EK. I've tried to be fair to everyone (Yes, that is fair in the case of the first three. I didn't say NICE!) but much of it will come down to my opinion only. Yours may differ...
Election year, which means it's a good time to take a look at British politics as it stands right now and explain why so many people probably won't be voting at all.
There is, to put it mildly, a vast gulf between parliament and the people, right now. The most important issues to the majority of people are most likely immigration; the EU and Britain's place in it; the economy; political corruption. Not necessarily in that order, but most Brits would mention at least two of the 'Big Four' issues if asked about their major concerns. Not that they'd necessarily use those terms, but it all comes down to Britain's right to govern itself and the citizen's right to make a reasonable life for themselves if they can.
The majority of Brits want the question of Europe settled. A small majority wish to leave the EU, a much larger majority want a referendum on our place within it, to give democratic legitimacy to the whole process. It's the one thing most pro- and anti-EU people have in common - neither side thinks it is fair to continue integration without a referendum. NONE of the major parties will even seriously talk about Europe, let alone offer the people a choice.
Immigration is not in itself a bad thing and few Brits would disagree with that. What IS a bad thing is a huge uncontrolled flood of people who then create ghettos rather than integrating with the native population, leading to social tensions and a growing sense that Brits are becoming foreigners in their own country. What makes it worse is the ugly screams of 'Racist!' at anyone who dares to suggest that uncontrolled immigration is perhaps not a good thing. Tensions are rising which causes an increase in ghettoisation which causes greater tensions... You get the idea. The children of migrants are also Brits, but too many are feeling alienated and under siege in what should be their own nation because of all this. It's a huge mess and needs urgently sorting out. No major party seems prepared to lay out exactly what they will do to address this.
The Economy is down the toilet thanks to the absolute financial incompetence (And fiscal incontinence) of the current government. The state sector is grown vastly too large, taxation is at the highest level on record and Britain is STILL in debt to the largest percentage of GDP it has ever been. With the recent reckless money printing, the shadow of inflation looms large. Needless to say, this threatens people's financial and employment security and they aren't happy about it.
Political Corruption AKA and more commonly known as 'sleaze'. After the huge scandal that engulfed all parties regarding parliamentary expenses last year, MPs are held in utter contempt and distrusted as never before. The lying, the cheating, the weasel words used by too many to deny any wrongdoing, the pathetic excuses for utter greed... Britain is sick of the political classes as a whole. A few individuals came out well, but every party was shown to be fundamentally corrupt. For many people, this will be the main issue.
The State Of The Parties
Britain has three major parties and a host of minor ones. I'm not going to look at every small group that will put up candidates, just at those who represent a serious political movement within Britain as a whole. If you wince while reading this list, you are not alone...
As a side note, there ARE good MPs in all three major parties. They are just kinda rare.
The Labour Party - the current government. Arguably the most corrupt and almost certainly the most incompetent government in modern times, they are both racist (anti-white) and sexist (anti-men). The few good Labour MPs are all backbenchers and nowhere near the centre of power. The current PM, Gordon Brown, is manifestly unfit for the position, showing every sign of a proud man promoted far above his ability who does not know how to cope or quit. An unmitigated disaster of a party.
The Conservative Party - the current opposition. Seem to have no principles and few if any policies they will state openly, let alone actual plans on how to implement those policies. Their leader, David Cameron, resembles a sales manager - slick, professional and with the kind of face that makes it all but impossible to tell if he is lying or not. If he genuinely believes in anything, he is careful not to say so. The Conservatives have singularly failed to challenge the government on almost every major issue of the day and seem completely lacking in nerve, confidence and judgement. The party show no signs of being fit to govern and are frankly unelectable.
The Liberal Democrats - the third major party. The remains of the old Liberal party, the Lib-Dems are basically the party of the protest vote. They have no chance of getting near power, can't even vote the right man into the leader's chair (Nick Clegg being a mediocre non-entity), and seem to make up policy on the fly. More of a running joke than a party, they haven't been a serious force in politics since the 1800s. In the event of a hung parliament, they are likely to hold the balance of power, which is frightening. But probably moreso for them as they seem content to be nothing and nowhere. A party of very low aspiration.
United Kingdom Independence Party - AKA UKIP. UKIP have no MPs at the moment, but they are nonetheless a serious spoiler force and the majority of disaffected ex-Conservative voters who vote will likely vote for UKIP. As the name would suggest, UKIP wants Britain to pull out of the EU. They have several MEPs (Members of the European Parliament) and are a growing force in British politics purely becuse no major party is prepared to listen to the people on one of the major issues of the day. The Conservatives could finish UKIP at a stroke by offering the people a referendum on Europe.
The British National Party - AKA the BNP. The BNP are Nationalist and Socialist. I'm sure you can put that together correctly... The majority of disaffected ex-Labour voters who vote will likely vote for the BNP who are riding high on a tide of anti-immigration feelings. They seem to create policy based on popularity and are ruthless exploiters of the political status quo. A (very) recent vote of the party removed the clause forbidding non-whites to join the BNP. The fact that clause was ever there says everything about them that needs saying, IMO. The BNP also have a couple of MEPs and are a growing force in politics. The Labour Party could wipe them out at a stroke by dealing with the immigration crisis.
The Green Party - AKA the Greens. Concerned only with environmental issues, they are a great protest vote for the environmentally conscious. Have a couple of MEPs, so worth mentioning, but not really a rising or declining force in British politics generally. Taken seriously these days, though, which is a major step up from where they were 30 years ago. Unlikely to affect anythng.
The Scottish National Party - AKA the SNP. Noteworthy as they are a significant force in Scottish politics and may well end up costing Labour the next election if they do well enough there. They have a number of seats in parliament already, and their leader, Alex Salmond, is a fly political operator. May have damaged their chances by saying they want Scotland to be 'independent but in Europe' recently (A total contradiction in terms and a serious miss-step) but nonetheless the protest vote of choice in Scotland AND a serious political force in their own right. Will stand for seats in Scotland only.
Plaid Cymru - AKA the Welsh nationalist party. Hold a small number of seats in Wales, but have nowhere near the influence the SNP do in Scotland. A minor spoiler force only, they seem to do little that is not at a local level. Will stand for seats in Wales only.
***
That's the state of British politics as it currently stands, as seen through the eyes of EK. I've tried to be fair to everyone (Yes, that is fair in the case of the first three. I didn't say NICE!) but much of it will come down to my opinion only. Yours may differ...