Some of you might have noticed that, despite having a strong
political inclination and the very purpose of my podcast/blog/whatever-that-is-now,
I haven’t actually talked about any of the recent events that have been taking
place in the UK, or indeed the world, in recent times. Part of that is rooted
in a loss of connection of wanting to share those views – I’ve never been a big
fan of talking into the wind or spending time on something for it to go
unheard. Another part of it though is that I’ve found it difficult to
articulate my thoughts on so many of the events that have happened. I will now
seek to correct this.
We find ourselves in the eve of an election
that no-one expected, one that was taken not of our necessity but of out
political gain – much as the referendum on the United Kingdom was made to save
the Conservative Party, so to was this snap general election called to save the
Conservative government of Theresa May. It is worth remembering that the day
after May called the election, it was revealed that numerous Conservative MPs
were being investigated over campaign expenses from the 2015 general election –
if this had led to multiple charges, then the government would have lost its
majority. Under such a situation either a new election would need to be called,
May would need to cobble together a working government (Either a minority government
supported by other parties or an outright coalition), or the Leader of the
Opposition would be invited to form a minority government instead – yes, Jeremy
Corbyn would become Prime Minister of the United Kingdom of Great Britain &
Northern Ireland.
Of course, the vast lead that the Conservatives
had in public opinion polls over Labour had nothing to do with May’s decision,
or that she appeared to be facing internal party division over her leadership
and approach to Brexit – the hot topic of the day that has come to be the only
issue now taking place in Britain (Something that particularly irritates some
members of my family who wish they’d just get on with it – their words, not
mine). This is the main issue that has framed most of this election – it is the
issue that the Conservative Party have largely campaigned on in their argument
that only Theresa May can lead the country towards a Brexit that 52% of people
voted for without any kind of details about what it was they voted for. Not a
soft Brexit, nor a hard Brexit, but a Red, White, and Blue Brexit. The strong
and stable leadership of Theresa May’s government and premiership as opposed to
the ‘Coalition of Chaos’ of Jeremy Corbyn, Tim Farron, and Nicola Sturgeon that
is the only alternative apparently.
You may have noticed thought that the
Conservative Party hasn’t really mentioned itself during much of its campaign.
2017 marks one of the most presidential-style campaigns for the Tories because
they know that their leader is more popular than the party itself. Let us not
forget that the Conservative Party has enacted huge cuts to public spending,
undermining not only education, the NHS, infrastructure, police numbers, social
care, and welfare benefits.
I will add some personal comments here though,
before I am attacking or praised depending on your political inclinations and
affiliations. I do not think that Conservative Party members or supporters are
bad people. I am proud to say that amongst my array of friends, you will find
those who are either party members or long-time voters & supporters of the
Conservatives. I don’t like the partisan nature that had been growing in modern
politics: that people are attacked for sharing their beliefs when they don’t
align with yours or you disagree with them, that you should launch into
personal abuse at them. Disagreement is not a bad thing by any measure and a
healthy debate on any subject is a good thing, but it must be done in a
respectful manner that does not fall into derogatory smear or character
assassination. These are still people who care for people just as you do – you may
disagree with how best to get there and what measures are to be taken, but it
is wrong to think that everyone who will vote for the Conservative Party, or
any party different than yours, is wrong, evil, stupid, or anything like that.
Those of you who do know me that how I will be
voting. I will defend the right of people to disagree and to civil debate &
discussion, I am a firm believer in equality and fairness. I believe that all
people, regardless of their background, faith, lifestyle, race, should have
their options in life limited. A fairer society, that helps people from all
walks of life, is the best way to move forward in a world that seems so intent
on directing its attention inwards and either ignoring or vilifying anything
different or new.
We all love and care for one another. No one should
wish harm on another living person or desire their failure in life so that we
might prosper by them faltering. The world has become obsessed with finding
faults in those who would do us no harm and idolising those who do not deserve
our adulation. There are people worthier than the cult de celebre that exists
but because they do not seek it, the teaching they could offer us are not heard
to generations now growing and shaping the future of our society. All people
want is more – to put themselves first and the needs of the individual ahead of
the needs of society. Who cares what other people need, I want it more. Greed
should never be a motive in life.
My vote tomorrow will be for Labour. But I implore
you to make sure that, however you intend to vote tomorrow, make sure that your
voice is heard through the ballot box. Every vote counts, especially when there
are those who would prefer it remained quiet and unheard. Let the silent
majority be heard so that change can be made to make a fairer Britain, a better
Britain.
Thank you.
