So it's finally here. And I have never known a General Election like this.
I will, of course, be voting, because - for me - not voting is simply not an option. But I don't think I've ever been so unenthused about an election as this one. The Conservatives are lacklustre and have elected a weak yet authoritarian leader, who clearly doesn't believe the policy (Brexit) the electorate has asked her to implement. They don't embody small-c conservative principles, being little different from Labour on the diversity politics, big state, environmentalist front.
Yet the opposition is far, far worse, headed by a man who loathes his own country and would sell us down the river in a heartbeat, with a shadow front bench that veers from crisis to crisis & couldn't be trusted to run a whelk stall.
So I will trudge to the polling station today, and do my bit. But I'd be lying if I said I expect to wake tomorrow and feel hope. No matter what the result.
See you all on the other side!
I'm not expecting a change here.
ReplyDeleteBut I am interested in the size of that Conservative majority. Unless she wins big - say, 100 - they are sharpening the knives and will take her down. Blood thirsty lot, the parliamentary Conservative party, and few owe her any allegiance.
A majority less than enough to fill a 52-seater coach will have them looking for a new leader who knows how to dispense patronage, someone who can bring in the election for them in four year's time, when they might have to face a credible Labour leadership. (Who knows: it could happen.)
Popcorn.
Exactly.
ReplyDeleteI feel exactly the same way. Our local conservative party member came around canvassing at the start of the campaign and he seemed unsurprised when I said I didn't trust May. I didn't want her to have a massive majority for five years so she could screw us over by introducing a police state. At the time they had a commanding lead and I said that she still had time to screw that up and now look where we are. I think she will win but I hope not by much.
ReplyDeleteIt's a straight up choice between the control freak headteacher who never leaves her office and makes everyone buy a new uniform because she's changed the colour of the blazer from dark blue to navy blue, and the groovy English teacher who thinks spelling, grammer and Shakespeare aren't relevant to da kidz, and instead they should be listening to the Kop Killa Kollectives jovial ditties about bustin' a cap in yo' ass.
ReplyDeleteI didn't vote. I just wrote, "Repeal the smoking ban" on my ballot paper. I do believe that not voting is a legitimate option when there is nobody worth voting for. Voting may be a right, but it's not compulsary
ReplyDeleteI would like a 'none of the above' box on the ballot paper. If a majority of people vote 'none of the above' then a further vote will be held in that constituency with the proviso that the original candidates cannot stand in the re run and neither can anyone who has stood as a candidate elsewhere in the country and failed to get elected. Just to add a bit of spice I would say that failed candidates from the previous election should be disbarred.
ReplyDeleteThe professional political class of this country has failed. I speak as someone who was a lifelong conservative voter and now regards nearly all of our current political crop as shallow and venal opportunists.
Whatever happens we are facing a s**tstorm in the future, I didn't vote for Brexit and am a reluctant remainer but my view is that the Brexiters must make a success of it, I just don't see that happening and the likes of Davis, Johnson and Fox are riding a tiger and have no credible plan. If I'm wrong, and Brexit is a success I will cheerfully admit I was wrong, I just don't see that happening with people of the calibre of David Davis and Liam Fox in charge of affairs.
Unless May wins big she is toast, which may be a result for her as someone else can deal with the fallout as a whole flock of chickens comes home to roost.
BTW Lord T, a police state from May? she despises the police so unless the Young Conservatives are going to morph into some sort of people's militia that won't happen.
Retired
Can't be arsed, they don't even deserve a none of the above, i might yet though wander up with the dogs in tow and draw a droopy meat and two veg on the slip to give them an inkling of just how impressed i am not.
ReplyDeleteI want once again to vote For something, i am not voting for the least worse of the unelectable.
How fortunate the Americans were to have a chap worth turning out for, yes i am envious.
I have no doubt May will get in, i just hope those who trust her with Brexit and national security remember they endorsed her when the truth dawns.
Judd
Same here up in t'north. Liebore will get in here, naturally, so my vote either way is meaningless.
ReplyDeleteBut given the choice between red socialism and blue socialism, I have to say I hesitated and went for the blue variety.
One day, though probably not in my lifetime, we will see a conservative who actually believes in conservative values. Until then, Mrs M is far better than Mr C (M as in middling, C as in communist).
I will, of course, be voting, because - for me - not voting is simply not an option.
ReplyDeleteAmen.
Yes, I think that sums it up the right way. Till tomorrow, then ...
ReplyDeleteA completely pointless election. Introducing fixed-term parliaments was the only thing Cameron ever did that I agreed with.
ReplyDeleteA year on from the referendum and all we have had is prevarication, while money flows out and ever more human flotsam flows in, with not even a token attempt to stem the tide.
The Conservatives may be the least worst option, but can there have ever been a less-deserving winner than May?
I just held my nose and voted for the least malodorous. As WoaR wrote above, a slender Tory majority appears the be a likely, and preferable, result. As for the local candidates, there's Anne Main, Tory, who had the temerity to vote Out when St. Albans voted Remain (good girl, but not popular). The Labour candidate, one-time MP, threatened to go back to Ireland after losing his seat to Anne. LibDems offer up a little girl called Daisy. No wonder they got rid of the yard arms on lampposts.
ReplyDelete@Julia M
ReplyDeleteWell said and I feel the same.
It's like a choice between a dictator and the grim reaper with his four horsemen of the apocalypse.
On balance, a dictator is better.
Ooops.
ReplyDeleteAnon,
ReplyDeletePeople were attacked with a van and knives in London. May said enough is enough and her first actions include clamping down on the Internet and limiting free speech. Stalin would be proud.
"Blood thirsty lot, the parliamentary Conservative party, and few owe her any allegiance."
ReplyDeleteI think she has three months.
"Our local conservative party member came around canvassing at the start of the campaign ..."
We had leaflets through the door. From all parties. Bur not one single knock.
"It's a straight up choice..."
Hobson says 'Now do you get it?' ;)
" I do believe that not voting is a legitimate option when there is nobody worth voting for. Voting may be a right, but it's not compulsary"
Not yet...
"I just don't see that happening with people of the calibre of David Davis and Liam Fox in charge of affairs."
Quite!
"I have no doubt May will get in, i just hope those who trust her with Brexit and national security remember they endorsed her when the truth dawns."
ReplyDeleteShe won't be there long enough to matter. Not after this.
"One day, though probably not in my lifetime, we will see a conservative who actually believes in conservative values. "
Islam's conservative values...? ;)
"A completely pointless election. Introducing fixed-term parliaments was the only thing Cameron ever did that I agreed with."
A gamble that didn't pay off, and May's only got herself to blame.
"No wonder they got rid of the yard arms on lampposts."
LOL!
"Stalin would be proud."
I think even Stalin would have dealt with a credible threat better!