UK Election: Who Would I Vote For?
I heard last week that there is to be a General Election here in the UK. Being somewhat oblivious to most maters of state that aren’t technology related I found this quite interesting. Some years ago I did look through all the various pollicies of all the available parties and weighed their pros and cons, settling on the LibDems as being the closest to my own beliefs in most areas.
In any party political electoral system most people end up having to pick a compromise in selecting the party the most reflects their views. In that there are sometime the odd bitter pill that must be swallowed. For some people a single issue will decide their voting. Generating an almost knee-jerk response amongst the electorate that allows itself to become blinded to all the other issues in their reaction to a single concern. Whether it be Pro-Euro vs Pro-Sterling, or to take an American hot button issue, Pro-Life vs Pro-Choice.
As far as the Euro is concerned, I’m largely unconcerned about whether we join Euroland or not. Money is money. I don’t see it making such a significant difference which currency we have. I’m not going to say I entirely understand all the implications of it, that’s what economists are for. My inclination is more towards it than not, however.
When it comes to the abortion issue, I am very strongly in favour of the mother having a complete free choice in the matter. Don’t get me started on the Pro-Lifers gunning down doctors in the street. I personally am the result of an unplanned pregnancy, and I can see the trouble that it brought my mother having had her life so completely forced in a particular direction. Not that either of us wish it hadn’t happened, but perhaps at a later time in my mother’s life and with a father who was prepared to stand by that responsibility. Not that I would have become the person I am. At a certain level I’d rather not be who I am, but I am and I have to keep working it out from here on in.
Getting back to the UK Election. Having looked at the parties policies some years ago, I don’t follow politics any more. It’s a confused mess of media-hype, compromise and back-room double-crossing and double-dealing. You don’t look at what goes into making a sausage unless you absolutely have to, and the same applies to government. The only person who deserves power is the only person who doesn’t want it. Which leaves us in a pretty pickle.
Below is the results of an interesting tool, which I’m glad to see confirms that the LibDems still prodominantly have the policies that I agree with. So the drift through life that my moral structure had sailed under the last few years, is still firmly within LibDem waters.
Who should I vote for?
Your expected outcome: Liberal Democrat
Your actual outcome:
Labour 8 Conservative -21 Liberal Democrat 50 UK Independence Party 8 Green 21
You should vote: Liberal Democrat
The LibDems take a strong stand against tax cuts and a strong one in favour of public services: they would make long-term residential care for the elderly free across the UK, and scrap university tuition fees. They are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, but would relax laws on cannabis. They propose to change vehicle taxation to be based on usage rather than ownership.
Take the test at Who Should You Vote For