Politics is about pragmatism,the art of the possible though. We might all like to follow the example of John Lennon and have "No religion too" But the truth is that religion has it's sinister hand around the throats of much of the world's population. That is where the conflict will come and it will end in a big mushroom shaped cloud.
I'm tempted to vote Green in May, despite thinking they'd be a disaster in power. I find Labour, Conservative and Lib Dems to all be similar shades of untrustworthy, self - serving, career politicians too busy point scoring and thinking in the short term to make changes and commitments that the country really needs. Whichever combination of the three ends up in power, I see little changing. I don't think the Green party are capable of running the country, but I think the alternative priorities and ethos that they have should be a greater influence on British politics. We do need to give greater thought to our long term energy plans for example. Even if I think the Greens are mad for writing off nuclear, the greater influence they wield (whether in terms of seats, or more likely share of the vote), pushes it up the priority list for the government, and hopefully a more moderate government will then come up with a sensible solution. Similar logic could be applied to things like defence spending. There's no way in hell I think we should quit NATO, abandon nuclear weapons and turn military bases into nature reserves, but I do think we need to dial back our involvement in global conflicts. As of 2012, we contributed the second most troops to NATO operations, presumably behind only the States. I'd like to see the government aim to contribute on a similar level to France, Germany, etc. The Greens alone would go overboard, but I'm hoping an increased Green influence would help us find a happy medium.
If more people join there are more people to vote on their policies. Become a member and you can vote of GM policies. Also, are there any policies you dislike in the other party manifestos? Seem strange you'd pick out one solid no argument on the greens but no one else. I also think if the greens were to ever get into power they'd encourage people to get involved in politics more, so everyone truly has a voice.
I have voted Labour all my life apart from a couple of tactical votes in North Norfolk to try and keep the Tories out. Tories are only interested in looking after their own wealthy class and maintaining their privileges. Unfortunately the leader of the Labour Party is not fit for purpose and will lead Labour into another defeat or a hung parliament at best. The growth of ukip will undoubtedly take votes from the right of the Tory Party and disillusioned Labour Party voters who are taken in by their 'simple solutions'. Whatever happens it's going to be a very interesting time politically. It's a great privilege we have being able to debate political issues in this way. Alas on the continent of Africa where I live such discussions as this cannot happen without the serious risk of disappearance torture and death. I'm really proud of the political system, human rights free speech and uncensored press we have in the UK.
Sure, they're batshit crazy on several issues, and if they stood a genuine chance of forming a government I'd probably do my damnedest to emigrate! But as Colk says, you can shape their manifesto as a member, and as they gain influence and votes I'd expect their policies to become more moderate. When the options for a protest vote are really limited to Green or UKIP, it's a no-brainer, helped by the fact the Greens are targeting my ward.
All voting Green will do will be to let the Bullingdon Boys in. Similarly voting UKIP will aid Labour. If the current polls prove correct and the vote turns out neck and neck the result will be Labour largest party but no majority. Last time the vote was Labour 29% Tory 36% .so if they are neck and neck that represents a 3.5% swing to Labour. In real terms that means Labour gaining most Tory seats where they are second and the majority is under 3000. Miliband is in my opinion somewhere between Michael Foot and Neil Kinnock in terms of popularity.Gordon Brown was probably sub Foot,whose 1983 manifesto was dubbed "The longest suicide note ib history" He is more intelligent than Cameron. Personally I wanted Alan Johnson but really think they should have kept Blair. He had faults,especially his nutty religion,but overall was the best PM we've had. For those who are interested have a look at UK Polling Report. Informative independent news on the election and all things polls.Locally Waveney is the weathervane constituency,although the very strong presence by the popular Labour candidate may mean that it performs better than Labour as a whole.
The only time everyone will want to vote green is at the end. The Greens will be able to prove they were right, for what good it will do. When you have a party in charge that will, instead of heeding the warning on fracking and doing something about it, change the law and definition and just carry on lining their pockets you really have to wonder how low they will stoop. http://www.desmog.uk/2015/02/20/new-fracking-definition-infrastructure-act
I find the idea that there's no point voting if it's not for Labour or Tories pretty ludicrous given the coalition. The chances are really very high that we'll have another hung parliament, so a vote for greens will definitely count as it's the sort of thing that will oblige Labour to go into coalition with them. I've a lot of sympathy for disgust towards Labour as well as the Tories, but refusing to vote is silly - you'll never find a party that stands for absolutely everything you stand for unless you start your own party, but pick the one whose policies you like the most and vote for it. That's democracy. People fought for hundreds of years to get the vote.
How does voting Green help? They have one seat which it looks like they may lose anyway. How are they going to coalesce with no MP's?. Bunch of dreamers who would see everyone starve with their crackpot policies.. There would probably be plenty of cannabis though.
It's actually very important because the green party claims to want sustainable living yet is opposed to genetically engineering crops which is a 100% safe way to improve crop yields and feed a growing population on the basis of an argument that is formed entirely from not understanding!
Help? Help what? I never said anything about helping. Greens could get no seats, but they could also get three seats. That could be enough to put them in coalition with, say, Labour and Lib Dems. I'd be happy with that. The dismissive attitude of blindly Labour-voting people is ridiculous, just as with the Tories. It's what got our democracy into a bipartite monopoly, with corrupt self-serving politicians in two parties with very little between them other than a bit of colour on their manifestos. Just because you can't put yourself in someone else's shoes, doesn't mean their outlook is invalid.
As a Labour supporter I would be against any deal with Greens. They really are total loonies. Far rather deal with Scots,Irish or Welsh.
The idea of the SNP being in power is nearly as bad as the idea of UKIP. Well actually that's a bit of an exaggeration, but Salmond and Sturgeon and the rest of their fishy crew should be kept well away from Parliament, they're bigger liars and incompetents than the current bunch of charlatans.
Hahahaha hahaha omg I can't take it No real cuts? I must have imagined the 40,000 job losses, MASSIVE increase in waiting lists, record waits in A&E, record number of nhs contracts awarded to private companies (who are Tory donors btw) & let's not forget the HUGE Lie "no more top down reorganisation of the nhs" followed by the biggest ever change wasting over £2bn. What ****ing planet are you? Whilst we're on the subject: "no plans to close sure start centres" - lie "no plans to raise vat" - lie "I wouldn't means test child benefit" - lie "won't scrap ema" - lie Tried to privatise British forests - ffs! Lied about introducing ability to recall your MP Promised to scrap national insurance after labelling it a "jobs tax" Put his personal photographer on public payroll U turn on anonymity for rape suspects U turned on bringing weekly refuse collection back Caved in on monopoly investigation into Sky tv Gives Eric Pickles a car to drive him about 200 yards at tax payers expense These are just the ones I remember off the top of my head. The Tories are just Scum pure and simple. I'm no lover of "modern" labour but they're far better than this shower of evil bastards. Oh I'll add I put a claim in for ESA on 31st December as I lost my job thru long term incurable ill health and to date I've not received a single PENNY IN BENEFIT! Absolute disgrace. Don't get me started on the evil sack of **** that is Iain Duncan Smith or the incompetent Gove
Cameron is hoping there are enough people that think "I'm ok screw everyone else" sadly there are a lot out there .
Yeah....my comment may have been a fraction sarcastic. Hence the " around real cuts. As for what planet Im on, well I ask myself that question everyday. And Im still not sure
I've never understood the passive voters. People that vote for Tory or Labour because that's what they've always done or that's how their parents voted. why even bother. I actually had the idea the other day that political parties shouldn't have any media image. No pointless tag lines that mean nothing and no tv appearance wheryothey can compete to have the most vacuous one liners. They should just write a manifesto. If you want to vote, you have to read every manifesto. None of this voting for farage because he looks like he'd be good to have a pint with. a scary amount of the population are completely uninformed on politics outside of what the red tops say! I don't trust their judgement on who should be running the country!
