Thinking about: The Election
We had a General Election last Thursday. As predicted by many political pundits it resulted in what we call a ‘hung’ parliament, which basically means that no party gained overall control of the House of Commons and so, therefore, cannot automatically form a new government. At the moment the Conservatives (AKA the Tories) are in talks with the Liberal Democrats in the hopes of forming some kind of coalition government. Personally I think that any agreement between them – if any such agreement is possible – won’t stand the test of time and another General Election will have to be called within 2 years and possibly before the year is out. The Conservatives might try to govern as a minority administration but the chances of them getting anything through the parliamentary process would be pretty slim.
We haven’t had anything quite like this since 1974. I don’t remember much about that – politics not being high on the priorities of a 14 year old – but I think the Heath Government (also Tory) didn’t last a year. On the bright side at least the Conservatives haven’t got the mandate to destroy the countries economy as they hope to do nor can they destroy our relationship with our European counterparts. So we have something to be thankful for! I was hoping that the Lib Dems would’ve had a better result especially as they were riding high in the polls. As it turned out they actually lost 10 seats – go figure! One odd, and refreshing, piece of news is that we have our first Green MP. That did cheer me up.
As I have been doing for the past 3 (or 4) elections, I stayed up all night to watch the results as they came in. This time I kind of cheated by using my latest addictive computer game to ‘keep me awake’ which meant that I spent most of Thursday night/Friday morning on-line treasure hunting/killing aliens and only popped downstairs to watch the election every hour or so. I did, however, get the gist of what was going on.
After voting Liberal Democrat in the last three elections I am a little concerned at how they seem to be getting into bed with the hated Tories – who I loathe. Then again I almost equally loathe the ‘Labour’ party so whatever Nick Clegg (Leader of the Lib Dems) decides it will probably taint my opinion of them. So far I’m pleased that they haven’t gone for power and seem to be holding to their principles. Their position on Europe is diametrically opposed to the Tories so I’m guessing that’s a real sticking point between them. If the Lib Dems give in on their principles it might mean that I’ll not be voting for them next time and I suspect I’m not alone in that. But we’ll see soon enough. One way or the other we’ll have some sort of government by the end of the week. What flavour that will be is pretty much anyone’s guess at this point. Interesting isn’t it?
About Me
- CyberKitten
- I have a burning need to know stuff and I love asking awkward questions.
10 comments:
I'd say that was a great way to kill time and enemies while awaiting the election results. :-)
Hey, at least your politicians know how to compromise.
How exactly does the government run day-to-day functions if there is no proper majority or coalition in power?
I've heard that in Britain, the "civil service" officers really runs the important internal affairs, but I must confess to ignorance as to where or not that's truly the case.
Will I come off as extremely childish or politically ignorant if I confess that I'm considering anarchy?
I couldn't vote in this general election having only been living in the UK since october 2009 and therefor not being a british resident. I would've voted Liberal Democrats, but now that the preverbial shit is hitting the fan, the fact that they're even considering getting in league with the Tories disgusts me. Even more so, they are having talks with a man who only a couple of weks ago, was calling their policies 'mad' and 'eccentric'. I had this dream that in England politics would be so much better than in Italy... turns out it's pretty much the same. The Hypocracy level just keeps rising and I honestly can't even stand thinking about it anymore.
I know that having some form of organisation within society is important and I'm not at all for blowing up buildings and people just for the sake of it... I celebrate creation not destruction.
I do, however, remember watching an interview with Alan Moore in which he gives a pretty nice view of what he thinks an anarchic society would be like...
v v said: I'd say that was a great way to kill time and enemies while awaiting the election results. :-)
It certainly made the evening/night/morning flash by. Almost before I realised it I was on Level 22 and the sunlight was shining through the curtains!
crl said: Hey, at least your politicians know how to compromise.
Maybe. We haven't heard the deal yet...
sc said: How exactly does the government run day-to-day functions if there is no proper majority or coalition in power?
It doesn't really - a bit like when its on holiday. The Government makes laws and proposes budgets and stuff. It doesn't actually 'do' very much on a day to day basis. Of course nothing *new* can get done until a new government is formed.
sc said: I've heard that in Britain, the "civil service" officers really runs the important internal affairs, but I must confess to ignorance as to where or not that's truly the case.
That's pretty much true. Politicians come and go but civil servants go on forever [grin]. They, and locla government, do the actual work. The Government just make & modify the laws of the land. If we can cope without them during their holidays we can cope without them for a few days while they sort themselves out!
tf said: Will I come off as extremely childish or politically ignorant if I confess that I'm considering anarchy?
Not at all. I have a lot of time for anarchism.
tf said: I would've voted Liberal Democrats, but now that the preverbial shit is hitting the fan, the fact that they're even considering getting in league with the Tories disgusts me.
It doesn't fill me with a warm & fuzzy feeling either. We'll see how much they compromised and then I'll make my decision as to if I'll vote for them again.
tf said: I had this dream that in England politics would be so much better than in Italy... turns out it's pretty much the same.
I'm afraid that politics is pretty much the same everywhere.
tf said: I do, however, remember watching an interview with Alan Moore in which he gives a pretty nice view of what he thinks an anarchic society would be like...
Utopian - unfortunately.....
It's really interesting stuff because it's quite a bit different than how we do things over here. The coalition between those two is like having George Bush as President with Al Gore as VP or Sec of State.
I had followed it pretty close over the last few weeks. C-SPAN shows quite a bit. I even saw the political commercials. From what I understand, you guys don't get bombarded with them for a year like we do.
Just saw the news about the coalition...they seem like strange bedfellows, but nothing brings people together like rejecting the status quo.
dbackdad said: The coalition between those two is like having George Bush as President with Al Gore as VP or Sec of State.
It does feel a bit like that. It's why I don't think it'll last very long. On some issues they just will not be able to compromise.
dbackdad said: I even saw the political commercials. From what I understand, you guys don't get bombarded with them for a year like we do.
Only for a couple of months. This year I seem to have avoided every single one. The flyers pushed through my letterbox went straight in the bin.
sc said: Just saw the news about the coalition...they seem like strange bedfellows, but nothing brings people together like rejecting the status quo.
It seems very much like a marriage of convenience. No single part had enough seats to go it alone. Even Labour & the Lib Dems together wouldn't have enough. Logically the only coalition that had any chance is what has happened. It's going to be quite interesting what they manage to come out with...
Granted, it's not a perfect analogy, as your "conservatives" are nothing like ours. I think your conservatives are more liberal than most of our Democrats. After all, isn't Cameron for national health care?
dbackdad said: I think your conservatives are more liberal than most of our Democrats.
That's what makes me laugh when Obama is called a Socialist [grin]. People who call him that really have no idea what they're talking about.
dbackdad said: After all, isn't Cameron for national health care?
It is a very brave politician who would even think about tampering with the NHS. The Tories have learnt that even though we have a love/hate relationship with it, we still want it largely untouched.
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