Quote: sootyj @ April 17 2009, 7:18 AM BSTPolitical inertia is has been the route to this dictatorships.
Quote: Rhubarb @ April 17 2009, 8:48 AM BSTI for one despise the self-perpetuating elite of this country
Then perhaps the plebs should educate themselves and get into politics.
Oh, wait, they have since 1997.
Quote: Rhubarb @ April 17 2009, 8:48 AM BSTproportional representation is long overdue
Ah, a Liberal Democrat.
Quote: Rhubarb @ April 17 2009, 10:12 AM BSTmy mum, who courtesies to the Queen when she appears on TV
I love the Queen, but that's taking it a bit far! 
Quote: chipolata @ April 17 2009, 10:21 AM BSTUKIP are idiots.
Yes they are. But they're nearing a stance that a hell of a lot of people can agree with, and it's one not being addressed sufficiently by the mainstream parties.
Quote: sootyj @ April 17 2009, 10:26 AM BSTBut no one has yet answered the question of whether we'd be better under DaveyC.
Better? No. We're too far f**ked by this Government for a future one to make any noticeable improvement, no matter what party they are. But we'd certainly be more along the right lines.
Quote: Maurice Minor @ April 17 2009, 11:20 AM BSTProportional Representation would be a disaster. Italy has it- hardly a stable political system. Belgium has it- they were without a Government for 18 months at one point... Given that the UK flip-flops between left and right, the likelihood is that we'd be stuck with a permanent 'National Government'. It would also mean that the BNP would have representation in parliament along with lots of other minority groups. Which, on the surface, is fine and democratic, but ultimately thoroughly undemocratic- you end up in a situation where a minority group representing a fraction of the population has influence way beyond what their support warrants, with mainstream parties clamouring for support within Parliament.
As for the coming election- I can't wait. I never could understand what hold Nulab had over the electorate- Blair was a fake and an actor. This Government has introduced, or tried to introduce such fascistic legislation its astonishing. Their record is amazing- they can read all your emails and store them, they hold DNA records for people acquitted or never even charged, they have turned the Police into a branch of social services and criminalised the middle classes, they have smeared anyone who dares disagree, they stifle protest, they try to detain people without charge, they have been complicit in torture, they have supported and orchestrated an illegal war, they have made the UK a massive terrorist target, and strive to keep the population permanently terrified.
The Fraud Act 2006 actually criminalised the intent to commit of a fraud- in other words no 'crime' takes place; they have taken us into a Minority Report world where just thinking about committing a crime is illegal...They allow Police into Parliament to arrest opposition MP's for leaks- a cursory browse of The Times website looking for references to Gordon Brown in the 1980's leads to a litany of reports of Brown presenting documents leaked from Government. The hypocricy is amazing.
The advent of the career politician has done for democracy- they join the students union, do a degree and then decide to go into politics as the pay is good- where is the desire to help people or serve the country? Its about gaining power and preserving that power. Gordon will NOT quit because its his turn now- the country can bugger off.
As for Labour vs Conservative- what reason is there to vote Labour anymore? Their record is more far right than Mrs T ever was. Many people say the Tories are just mad, evil, far right money-grabbers- even if you believe that, how does that differ to modern Labour? Labour supporters still cite Thatcher and the miners, with an attitude of 'never forget', but to many peoplethat's history and as relevant to the modern voter as Red Robbo at Longbridge, or sleeping bags on the night shift at British Leyland..
'Call Me Dave' says he has changed the Tories into the friendly, caring party and Labourites laugh at this, but its no less convincing than Blair revolutionising Labour.
Rant over.
