Election 2010: ConDemnation?

Election 2010: ConDemnation?

So Gordon has (ish) departed from the throne, where does this leave us in terms of the electorate?

facing a coalition of one form or another, or a minority government. David Cameron thus far is trying very hard to keep a low media profile. The result of this are not overly clear yet on public opinion. It remains to be seen if he can convince either the Lib Dems or sections of his own party that a Blue & Orange mix can work. My biggest concern as a Lib Dem supporter is that a situation arises where no electoral reform emerges and by November we are faced with a second election in a calculated attempt to shed liberal support from a Tory administration.

For Nick Clegg this should be the thought keeping him awake at night. Clegg must be tempted hold his hand and to let the Tories form a minority government pushing for concessions in an ad hoc fashion in return for support issue by issue, bill by bill.

The British are a fickle bunch and will turn sharply on Cameron should the Euro zone collapse affect stirling in the next 2-3 months rendering any cuts in an emergency budget meaningless, again we could be faced with votes of no confidence in the government and a winter election.

Gordon is forcing the issue tonight and it would be quiet a thing to be privy to the conversations going on.

Whatever the out come social media offers the average person the strongest ability to influence what is happening. When Francis Fukiyama wrote the "End of History" after the collapse of the Berlin wall. He argued the collapse of communism meant that capitalism had "won" the cold war. Idealogical politics was seen to be dead and western free market capitalism had won out.

Perhaps what we are seeing now is the battle for the shape and form that western free market thinking should take, both ideologically and morally. After all through de regulation we have tried a full financial free market, the result of which did not work we will be picking up the bill for over a generation. Now comes the reaction how we choose to live and regulate our economic lives.

When you stop to consider what is happening try not to see the situation as a problem, people engaged with politics like never before in this campaign, and I found myself talking about political issues on line and in person with friends who I never would have believed to have an interest. The reality is as a nation we do not agree what course is now the best option.

Just as the English were the first to curb a monarchs absolute power in the Magna Carter, just as we were the first to create a modern parliamentary democracy, just as we were the first to execute a king to enshrine parliamentary rights. We are faced with taking the first faltering steps in 21st century capitalism.

My first Vote

Anger rising

I have spent many years questioning the psychological process which drives an individual to politics. I have watched many character types enter local politics and gradually become entrenched in a particular mind set.

Firstly though I love the city in which I live, I love the county in which I Live in Norwich and Norfolk.I am proud of our slightly off centre world view, I am proud and constantly amused by our strange ways, odd accent and the fact that tourism is our number one industry and yet you cant get here that easily and we don't like strangers much. but apparently are very polite with it.

I am in limbo over the coming election having never paid any heed in the past and changing address regularly has not helped with voting.Now as my freshly deliverd polling card sits like a key staring at me it is time to think it through.

I have only voted in local elections (mostly Labour and Green) watching the TV debate of party leaders It brought into sharp focus for me how regionalism will affect my vote in this election and I need to balance my decision accounting for local concerns and my hopes and beliefs for the country.

Which is why I am considering the liberal vote (not as a reaction to the T.V debate) but mainly
I believe in capitalism and I support consumerism, I want British people to achieve in all fields and in their personal life, and even if I do not buy into a unified British national identity at the least I want to achieve a system of governance where our local cultural identities can all function togethercas situations globally demand. I would love restraint (vast ammounts of unsecured credit does not make a solid economic base) to be a part of our consumerism and the business world, we all take risks just getting up each morning if you want to gamble with some one elses economic future be prepaired to face the consequences,
I want to see businesses investing in local communities not just working in them and making profit from them.

Lastly I want to see and end to the "knife" classes, I demand we instill a sense of "can do" within ourselves and raise our levels of expectations for what we as individuals can achieve and contribute.

I buy into Vince Cable as chancellor, George Osborne does not convince and Alastair Darling definitely needs a break from the job.

As For leaders on the world stage, Nick Clegg..... not sure, David Cameron.... no, Gordon Brown..... potential.

As for the manifesto there have been a few days to digest and reflect. Personally I must see protection for the wildlife and environment it is vital for the long term future of Norfolk that we
protect our fantastic wildlife and natural environment.

The rise of monitoring under Labour.
CCTV, I.D cards etc drives me crazy, we are the most watched country and population in the world, we appear on CCTV hundreds of times a day on average and yet it did not stop the horrific beating to death in Norwich last year of a man who went to help another, or the shooting of a young girl in a London takeaway recently and so it goes on through the tragic list of recent violent crimes. The liberal pledge to scrap I.D cards got my attention and the stance on civil liberities offers hope that the dark, dark, neo conservative game theory of new labour could be consigned to history ( I will not vote for a government whose primary means of analysing human interaction

On economic governance again I want control to be a watch word, again due to the actions of maybe 2-3,000 people over the last few years I have had to experience unemployment and will watch as thousands of public sector employees face the same prospect in the coming years.
I will work to protect myself and family without reliance on others, however I needed state support last summer. I needed Tax credits when I first returned to work and I DON'T want other people to loose that support.

I cant face a vote for Labour this time, The encroachment of big brother, the lies on Iraq, Gordon Browns repeal of banking controls in 90's in conjunction with Bill Clinton's administration, are the three reasons I morally can not vote for Labour.

My biggest fear of any Conservative administration is that nothing will change so I cant vote for them.

Adrian Ramsey is an excellent Green party candidate here in Norwich and his chance of winning the seat is tangible at this election.

I look through the liberal manifesto and cant help but stop and consider the last liberal administration and the "peoples budget" of 1909, it took two years to pass but it was a quantum leap in reform. Though the historical links to the modern Liberal party are tenuous. It is time to take another step forward people we have dawdled to long.

Reform and responsible economic growth/ wealth are not mutually exclusive and as we say in Norfolk I want "buthonem" ( I would like both of those please). So Liberal party you will get my vote this time ....make it count