I’m in a maudlin mood.
Chances are that by Friday morning I’m going to be living under a Conservative government. Two quotes from twitter just about sum up my feelings on this:
@JeremyJHardy: My life is nearly over and I can’t bear to spend any more of it under the Tories.
@dadwhowrites: Ok. Time to walk home and walk off the blues. Hopefully. I love this country. I’m scared for it. I’m scared for my family.
Kerry and I both work in the public sector. We both hold a significant amount of responsibility for a relatively low wage. I appreciate that over the next few years there are going to have to be some pretty scary cuts in the public sector no matter what party comes to power. But a conservative government would be a complete disaster. And in addition we could probably kiss goodbye to our pensions – the only perk our jobs actually have.
David Cameron may try to present himself as a modern center right proponent of change. But he’s not. He still holds all the horrific selfish sod-the-poor values that the Tories have always stood for and the country will once more go to shit under his reign.
In fact my only hope for a Tory government would be that they fuck it up so badly that no one will elect them ever again.
Don’t get me wrong – I have my problems with Labour. The whole Iraq war for one thing (although the Tories supported that too). But blaming them for the global economic crisis is a little unfair. It’s the Tories banker buddies who are really to blame if we feel like pointing fingers. And there are too many good socially positive policies to have come out of the last 13 years for me to start baying for their blood just yet.
I am actually gravitating towards voting Lib Dem, if only to try and break the grip on politics that Murdoch has at the moment. But I worry that if the opportunity presents itself Clegg may chose to side with Cameron in a coalition.
Three weeks ago back when the Leader’s debates first started I had a real sense of hope for the future and excitement about the election. Now however I’ve just got an overwhelming sense of dread and forboding.
I’m voting tomorrow. You should too. Unless of course you were planning on voting for the Conservatives – in which case you should just stay home.
Related posts:
I won’t be voting Tory (I don’t know how to spell the noise that spit the dog used to make, but it’s the noise I’m making now), if that makes you feel better.
.-= Barbara´s last blog ..A Couple of Random Snippets =-.
@Barbara, well then that’s at least two of us then. Hurrah!
I’mwith you on this. I have a mother who is ‘sick’ and unable to work (genuinely) and a family member who has to dedicate themselves to her full time care. I am genuinely worried the Tories will try to force them to work or remove any benefits they receive…
I am already planning on how I can save up some dosh in case I need to help mother myself in situation that she is ploughed into extreme poverty.
Plus I dislike Conservative policies on immigration – and I say stick on extra inheritance tax! Let people earn their own money instead of getting hundreds of thousands of mammy and daddy… Okay leave your kids something to help them out – but a million pound house!?!
Anyway as you can see I agree… I am voting Lib Dem and I think if everyone who is thinking about it does it then we might really see a change…
.-= Kelly ´s last blog ..MA Class with novelist and playwright Alice de Smith =-.
@Kelly, hopefully – although I’m suspicious about the lib dems ability to actually handle any real power.
Sorry that in my haste I engaged in very poor spelling and grammar. From a writer too!!!
.-= Kelly ´s last blog ..MA Class with novelist and playwright Alice de Smith =-.
Didn’t Clegg used to be a card carrying member of the Tory party? It’s so scary I can barely verbalise it – I tried back in January (http://clinicallyfedup.com/?p=2347) but now I’m dumbstruck. The Tory candidate in my 2 horse constituency is a farging FOETUS – he’s a 25yo public schoolboy whose Daddy bankrolled his entire “campaign”. All his promises to stop this that and the other have been on issues that aren’t even the responsibility of an MP. He’s a twat who hasn’t got a clue about anything. If he unseats our very cool SNP MP (former Runrig drummer Pete Wishart)…. I don’t even want to think about it.
The only faint silver lining I can envisage is that a Tory administration might make those swithering on Scottish Independance support a referendum and vote accordingly. Very faint, but our doors will be open :)
See? Told you I was dumbstruck :P
.-= MrsW´s last blog ..The Gallery #10: Secret World =-.
@MrsW, I dunno, i know Clegg is from a privileged background, but the lib dems have a more progressive stance on many social issues than the labour party.
Surely the Tory’s haven’t got much hope in Scotland?
I considered Lib for a while because we are farming community in a commuting belt – the libs are the only party that get close to the Torys. But in my heart of hearts I can’t do it. I know what is right, I know Industry, the NHS and education for all only stand a moderate chance under Labour – under anybody else they are lost. I plan to walk away from the voting booth with a clear conscience. No matter who wins I know I can say I care about public services and the people using them and in them. xxx
.-= kelloggsville´s last blog ..United Colours of WA =-.
@kelloggsville, I waver about tactical voting. Although the tactical thing to do here would be vote labor apparently.
I just want everyone to vote for the party they agree with – this tactical voting nonsense is just ridiculous. Makes me so cross.
.-= Pants With Names´s last blog ..Voting tactically? =-.
@Pants With Names, I dunno – if it’s a choice of the lesser of two evils. There are many ways in which the policies of Lib Dems and Labor appeal to the same sort of wishy washy liberals as myself. To be honest it’s anyone but conservative for me.
all parties would get rid of our pensions in the nhs!!!
As a nurse I despair of them all…..
sigh
it all would be better if we were governed by followers of star trek!
@john Gray, that is true.
You’ve bloody depressed me now.
@Dan,
dan
shit happens
so does politics…..
its like keeping back the ocean………………..
cheer up..at least thatcher isnt back!!!
@john Gray, That’s all right for you to say – You’re probably not all that long off retiring. Well, closer than me anyway.
I’ve probably got another 31 years to go. If they let me retire at all.
@Dan,
you’re a TWAT
i am only 47!!!!!!!!
@john Gray, That’s ancient!!!
Oh, ok, maybe not. I apologise. But to be fair to me I’m used to calculating retirement factoring in Mental health officer status which allows you to retire on full pension at 55. Not that i have mental health officer status as it was phased out long before i qualified.
@Dan,
apology accepted….
i only work 11 hours a week somy pension wont pay for the chickens’ dinner!!!
cheer up have a beer and forget the shit
It may sound pretty ridiculous, but the one thing that puts me off the lib-dems is their energy policy. They are against new nuclear power plants. As someone who works in the energy industry, I see this as at best, less than progressive and at worst, disastrous for the economy of a country which is likely to be heavily reliant on Russian gas (a Tory legacy) during the next couple of government spells.
Other than that, I agree with their principles.
.-= Sam´s last blog ..On Doing Shots with Super Mario =-.
@Sam, my personal ideal outcome would be a labour lib dem coalition that saw the introduction of proportional representation. I don’t really want them in power.
I really hope people won’t be blinded by the spin. I’m really worried about what will happen tomorrow. It’s bizarre though because I don’t know a single person around me who would vote Tory, so I still can’t believe it can actually happen that we’ll have a Tory government. And yet it seems that there are quite a lot of those in the country, somewhere.
.-= cartside´s last blog ..A walk in the park? I don’t think so =-.
@cartside, No, I don’t know anyone who’ll vote conservative (other than perhaps my in-laws).
But they are obviously out there.
It’s going around. We’re getting an election in Belgium soon, and people are so disgusted with politics many won’t go and vote (even though by law we have to). I think that’s just copping out. Better to go and vote for the least evil ones.
.-= Mwa´s last blog ..You won’t sit for a week young lady =-.
@Mwa, I think there is a lot more interest and enthusiasm for this election than there usually is. But unfortunately I think it’s going to all end in tears. Mine.
Labour have done some public sector damage too, surely? The pension is no where near as good in my job these days as it used to be. I can’t retire at 60 anymore at any rate. And also they want to put cider up 10% so that is a definite no-no for me!
Anyway, I’m voting Lib Dem as always :)
@Craig, the cider thing is a bid to stop unscrupulous alchohol manufacturers selling gut rot to alchoholics.
And yes, they have done some damage – but on the whole they have been a positive force in my oppinion, although not as positive as I’d hoped in 1997.
Minimum wage is a good example, as is the decrease in child poverty. Education and the NHS have been a lot better funded than during the Tory’s reign.
@Dan, I have a right to rot my stomach! I think I am pro choice :)
I hope all works out with the vote tomorrow. Conservatives are in power over here in Canada – a minority government and we’ve had an interesting year! The Liberals tried to overthrow the Conservatives, with no plan, and of course didn’t succeed. Their leader is an idiot. Our other major party has a crazy man as a leader too with no real plan of action. But I must say our conservatives have gotten us out of the recession quite quickly. So good luck to you all!!
.-= Karyne Whalen´s last blog ..about shave =-.
@Karyne Whalen, for me it’s not abot the speed we get out of recession – it’s about protecting our vulnerable citizens while we do it.
Our government fell a month or two ago and they’ve made their share of mistakes..but the replacements are probably going to make it worse. I’m 26 and I’ve got a voting right since I was 18..this is going to be the 4th!! time I vote for a new government. That should say something about the stability overhere.
There’s one really big concern overhere, and that’s that (extreme) Right wing will get a green light to have a go for 4 years and probably f’up so bad that I’m going to vote again within a year (you might know Wilders..the idiot who tried to make offensive movies about Islam etc.., that party). The problem remains that that means they f’d up bad, real bad.
As in England, cuts are going to be made..it’s already 99% sure that people will have to work till their 67th (instead of 65) for their pension.
And to think that say 10 years ago it wasn’t a big problem to get out at say..55! And don’t get me started about the funds for education (students and teachers).
It’s going to be a shitstorm everywhere I guess…
.-= Arjan´s last blog ..Youtube ‘saturday’: Mr Scruff – Keep movin’ =-.
@Arjan, apparently Australia isn’t in financial difficulty. Lets go and sleep on Lee’s couch.
@Dan, I’m not sure if I like the spiders they have over there..and don’t get me started on snakes.
Oh I totally hear what you are saying. I didn’t mean to sound trite at all. I live in a city with a major General Motors plant. The auto sector was hit hard in our community by the recession and many people I know lost their jobs. There is a glimmer of hope as they are reopening some GM plants so some workers are being called back. But yes, the vulnerable citizens ( an I don’t just mean the auto secto!) need to be protected.
.-= Karyne Whalen´s last blog ..about shave =-.
@Karyne Whalen, I wasn’t getting at you, and I have no clue about the Canadian system at all :) All I menat was a wider point aimed towards anyone who read the comment rather than yourself.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Election Blues =-.
I had to resist the urge to write rude words next to the BNP candidates names (we’ve got national and local elections) or else my ballot would have been spoiled.
I am going to be so upset if the Tories get back in as well as afraid.
@Morticia, I noticed our BNP candidate omited listing his address on the ballot paper:)
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Election Blues =-.
@Dan, The one here didn’t – I thought by law they had to.
I’ve also just been informed you can write on the ballot paper and it won’t necessarily spoil your paper as long as your cross is clear so if they do stand at the next election I won’t hold back.
My chum Richard told Andrews Brons BNP MEP to f+ck off when they canvassed in his area. He said it was Mr Brons and 4 minders/racist thugs and when the Liberal democrats had been round it was just one lady and her shopping trolley full of leaflets. Speaks volumes doesn’t it?
@Morticia, The one good thing about this election is that the likely high turn out will translate into lowered support for the BNP.
There was a story floating round twitter about someone who was physically assaulted by the BNP candidate after heckling them. the person was walking away with their back to the candidate at the time.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Election Blues =-.
@Dan,
Did you hear Nick Griffin’s interview on the World at One? As much as it was revolting to hear him it was also quite heartening as if you give him enough rope – he hangs himself. He was asked by a caller if he would be classed as british by the BNP as although he (the caller) was born here, three of his grandparents weren’t. Nick responded that he couldn’t say as it was radio and couldn’t see the caller. He was asked what difference it made about whether or not you could see someone and he began to backtrack and blather. He really is revolting.
You may have got it wrong on our voting preferences – my mother/grandfather would turn in their graves if I voted conservative – not that that would be my deciding factor. I am not impressed with any of our local candidates and I am still looking at the wider picture but will be down that booth before 10.00 pm.
@Jeannette, yes, sorry. i realized I may have been being a bit presumptuous immediately after posting that comment. To be honest I was just going off your newspaper subscriptions :)
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Election Blues =-.
Ah don’t go by the paper – not a political choice – more of the fact that we preferred the tv magazine that came with it!
I sympathise with everything you say, up to the point about possibly voting Lib Dem, something about Clegg in the last few days has put me off. I’ll be voting red but sadly expecting the result to be blue.
.-= Steve´s last blog ..Lucy – the updates =-.
@Steve, The thing that appeals to me about Clegg and the Lib Dems is that they are the only party free of Murdock’s grip. That media empire has as bad a impact on this country as any tory government in my opinion.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Election Blues =-.
I live in a constituency which is so blue my vote is worth just 0.05% of a vote (not sure how they work it out, but I think it means I have to vote 2000 times to make a difference). I’m in despair and may have to go and live somewhere that has a proper democratic system
.-= Nota Bene´s last blog ..The Gallery…graveyard shift =-.
@Nota Bene, for some reason I had you down as a conservative voter. Not sure why. Not that I was particularly holding that against you.
My constituency is currently a three way tie, so both myself and my wife have been agonising over our choices this week.
.-= Dan´s last blog ..Election Blues =-.
Well.
All of the above, Dan. Well said.
And in answer to your tweet, I don’t think you should take this down because of the walk. There’s a pernicious logic that goes with that.
If it were to affect your family, well, I think that would be different. By I don’t think we’re that kind of country. Yet.
Me, I’m hoping that Cameron fails to agree terms, Labour will form a government with the liberals and our electoral system is reformed.
.-= Dad Who Writes´s last blog ..Writing/Why it’s quiet around here =-.
I did one of those stupid online who-to-vote-for quizzes (http://hatmandu.net/wsyvf/) and it told me to vote lib dem.
So thats decided for me then. Nice one. :)
@Craig, Mine said Green.
I have voted Tory, Tory, Tory!!! so shoot me!
@Rachel Sykes, believe me – of all the Tories in the world, you are the one I’d shoot first Rachel.
I think the liberal democrats are probably wrong on nuclear, but tbh I can’t find anything else much to object to. Sure, they haven’t been in power for a looong time, but to me this seems a recommendation, as they do not feel entitled to power and are keen to do the things which people actually want rather than protecting the status qup (like Labour and the Tories). They kept their noses clean on expenses and they’re the only party which seems genuinely keen to puncture the culture of entitlement we live in… and I’m talking fat cats, bankers and MPs here not the poor and disabled whom the Tories would wish to target. And they were the only party who got it right on Iraq and the economy (they saw the recession coming). So yeah, Lib Dem fangirl number one right here :D
Incidently, I was thinking of emigrating to Holland if the Tories get in but seeing Arjan’s comment I’m not so sure now…. Sweden perhaps?
I did one of those stupid online who-to-vote-for quizzes (http://hatmandu.net/wsyvf/) and it told me to vote lib dem.
So thats decided for me then. Nice one. :)