OK. Talking politics today, not comics, because this is an important day for everyone in the UK. A chance to try and turn us away from the callousness, greed, and prejudice that's blighted our country over the past few years.
Although I sympathise with a lot of what the Green Party stands for, today I'll be voting Labour because they're the only party who can credibly beat the Conservatives.
Like many of us, I've never been one to vote purely out of self interest. Today feels like our last chance to make the UK a better place before it's too late. Even if Labour win, things won't change quickly, and it'll be a struggle (particularly dealing with the hardships that Brexit will cause) but it'll be a step in the right (or rather left) direction.
Use your vote.
Unfortunately we can't vote for Labour over here in Northern Ireland, but what we can do is displace the DUP, who are basically our version of the Tories. They've aligned themselves with everything the Tories stand for and their seats are added to May's party's, and at the last local election (just a couple of months ago after a scandal involving that party tore down our government) they only won by one seat. That was a momentous occasion over here, they no longer had an overall majority and so their powers to force their will over other parties was curbed. We're hoping for more this time and they're displaced altogether, and I hope the same happens to the Conservatives on mainland Britain too. Let's hope for a momentous day!
ReplyDeleteAlways important to remind people to vote. I too would prefer it if the Tories were to loose or at least have a reduced majority. However I will be voting Lib Dem. The reason is that in my constituency Labour cant win and the race is between the Tories and the Lib Dems. For those interested in checking their constituency, I'd recommend visiting: www.voteralliance.co.uk
ReplyDeleteI hope that things can change. Some have said that comics folk often live in an "echo chamber" where most of us are left wing, and we fail to see the mood of the country. Personally, most of my local friends (none of whom are in comics or the arts) are not Labour supporters, so I see fairly balanced points of view.
ReplyDeleteMy gut feeling is that the results are going to be extremely close between Labour and Conservative, and that the Lib Dems will do well too. Hopefully, UKIP will receive their lowest votes ever, but, I dunno. Fingers crossed!
For the first time ever I have voted Labour. There are loads of reasons but suffice to say I was with Corbyn when I saw him on the TV debates.
ReplyDeleteI agree that I think it will be a closely contested result but I'm not ruling out Corbyn losing. He was the underdog when he first won the leadership contest and he's still there.
This year should be interesting. A Tory vote is usually a wasted vote here in Hull (my constituency is Hull North). They're usually third behind Labour and Lib Dems, but last time most of the Lib Dem vote went to UKIP instead (probably due to a combination of Brexit and not liking the coalition), the Tories were still third (all three Hull constituencies had the same result, Labour, UKIP, Tory, Lib Dem, in that order). I voted Labour today, as usual. With UKIP practically finished now that Brexit is happening, I wonder if Labour will landslide the three seats here, or will the Tories manage to snatch one (probably Hull West and Hessle if they do, as that one's incumbent isn't standing). This must be their best chance here in decades.
ReplyDeleteOne other thing I will say is, don't believe everything you read in the papers - they're biased. The Sun is saying vote Conservative, the Mirror says vote Labour. Can't trust a non-neutral press. Looking in the papers, I can't tell what's actually been said by the politicians and what's just propaganda and editorial comment. Stick to the BBC.
What worries me most - apart from the consequences of austerity, nuclear war, unemployment, things like that - is being maybe somehow personally responsible if We end up with Boris Johnson. We've already got Donald Trump. Not my fault, that.
ReplyDelete"The creatures outside looked from pig to man, and from man to pig, and from pig to man again; but already it was impossible to say which was which."
The BBC is one of the worst culprits, James:
ReplyDeletehttps://www.theguardian.com/media/2017/jan/18/bbc-trust-says-laura-kuenssberg-report-on-jeremy-corbyn-was-inaccurate-labour
I was supposed to say I was impressed with Jeremy Corbyn on his TV debate on BBC.
ReplyDeleteJames, I don't understand why we have to have papers loyal to specific parties. Nor do they stay loyal to a particular party. In my view, all papers should just give us the plain facts for us to digest and decide on.
Your Corbyn comment works either way, Sid. You "were with" him in that you agreed with him. :)
ReplyDeletePapers will support whatever's in their best interests.
Lew, I know that your posts get a lot of readers, so I thank you for this post in the hope that you may have changed some undecided minds.
ReplyDeleteThe BBC isn't perfect but a lot of time people's own biases (which they're perfectly entitled to hold of course) stop them from seeing impartiality on the screen. I used to work in their complaints department and know first-hand it isn't perfect, but they take any accusations of bias extremely seriously and work so hard at it (and it must be remembered they must prove balance across the board, all their TV and radio channels as a whole, some people unfairly think every single news programme should contain all sides, which just isn't possible). I also know they get about an equal amount of complaints saying they're biased against Labour as they do against Tories. Kind of proves my point.
ReplyDeleteBut anyway, I mostly watch CNN these days myself and indeed it's them I'm watching tonight as the results come in. They're actually faster at getting the results! Plus Quest is one of the presenters and he's a great personality!
Good points, Phil. My Conservative mates reckon the BBC is left-wing biased, while I see its right-wing bias. Like you said, we're tainted by our own bias.
ReplyDeleteToo much repetition of the word "bias" there! Sorry, working late to meet a deadline, whilst listening to the radio. I really shouldn't multi-task. :)
ReplyDeleteBBC exit poll says Tories will lose their majority. I'm praying it's correct which would be a disaster for the Tories and Brexit. It would also prove once and for all that the Tory gutter press are finished at last with plummeting sales and unable to influence elections any more. Even if May gets a small majority she'll be a joke after calling an election thinking she'd get a landslide and the EU leaders will all be laughing.
ReplyDeleteI think having an insider's viewpoint helped. I have my own biases and sometimes think an interview/report might be biased for example, but then I have to remember there'll be other interviews/reports with "opposite" politicians at another time and they'll get treated the same. Also, that the interviewer who is heavily grilling someone may actually personally agree with the interviewee, they're just challenging them for the audience. More so than other channels normally, since everyone of all backgrounds pays a TVL.
ReplyDeleteHaha no need to apologise, it's been a long night for many of us! Interesting results, disappointing but interesting.
Sounds like the Tories are joining with the DUP to form a government. Not really what we wanted.
ReplyDeleteNot at all, no. The DUP cherry-picks what it wants and doesn't want in UK law, they don't work with anyone, and they don't even listen to their constituents. For example, 79% of the population here want equal marriage but the DUP are refusing to let it through because it's against god! NI also voted for Remain and the DUP was the only party at the time who wanted to leave and are determined to ignore the population again. I fear for the next five years.
DeleteI'm not sure if this is a good result or not to be honest as I think it may mean a new election in 2 or 3 years time as I doubt the gov will go to term - the DUP alliance could be worrying for the people in NI as they may hold the Torys to ransom to get their way in some areas that could cause disruption in NI. Saying that I am glad the Tories got a reality check, but less happy (and a tad outraged) that Scotland voted in so many Tories (don't they remember the devastation and heartache they caused under Thatcher and others). Personally- I voted SNP as imho nothing is ever going to change without a real change to the system and whilst they took a real hit last night it is is still their 2nd best UK result ever(and they are still the 3rd biggest UK pary). Although I support Independence I do hope that this means that Indyref2 is off the table, at least until we get this Brexit fiasco sorted out for the UK. Buckle in guys, there are strange days ahead of us.
ReplyDeleteThe self-indulgent Tories might be having ANOTHER leadership contest followed by ANOTHER general election but they should be wary of a voter backlash. The world has shifted on its'axis - Labour are no longer a frightened and desperate party led by a hard-left unelectable fool who's leading his party to oblivion. Labour are now a resurgent party led by a popular winner (Labour won Canterbury !!) who connects with the young in a way that Boris Johnson could never dream of. And how will the right-wing attack Corbyn now ? They threw the kitchen sink at him and it made no difference.
ReplyDeleteNot what you wanted perhaps, but for the majority of voters in Northern Ireland it was the best result they could have hoped for.IMO. In your wildest dreams did you ever really see Jermey Corbyn and Dianne Abbott taking office? The pair have more baggage than the lost property office in Waterloo Station!
ReplyDeleteI was proud to take my son who recently turned 18 to make his first vote. We voted labour too. Interesting to point out that all his school friends were supporting Corbyn too. Maybe May might give him a little bit more repect at question time now.
ReplyDeleteNot what Theresa May wanted either but I don't feel sorry for her. Though Jeremy Corbyn may have run a good campaign (and mayhaps given time could have won the elēction), I also think that Theresa May did a Hillary and managed to defeat herself thanks to her arrogance and the poor handling of her manifesto.
ReplyDeleteDoesn't give me the greatest confidence for someone who will be negotiating our future.
Sorry for the delay in approving your comments, folks. I've been away all weekend.
ReplyDeleteYes, Ken, I can see Jeremy Corbyn as P.M. one day. After all, there's been Tory leaders with FAR darker pasts that have been Prime Minister!
Dianne Abbott is ill so sadly I don't think she'll be in cabinet. Hope things pick up for her.