I’ve asked myself the question a lot lately. Where I live is a very entrenched Conservative seat. Well, maybe. It was a Liberal marginal target a couple of elections ago. It was close but the reality was that it is a Conservative seat. There is enough habitual support that the old guard will always ensure continuity. So does my vote really count whichever box I use on the day?
I grew up in the Labour heartland of a North East mining community. I could see the socialist agenda make sense there and the harm that the extreme left could do first hand through the Scargill days. What I could not see was the utter disenfranchisement of those with views that did not match the local majority. My father always voted Conservative. Pointless really, a monkey on a red flag could have been elected in those days. I didn’t realise the school playground chant of “Maggie Thatcher the milk snatcher” wasn’t appropriate at home, nor that it started a left leaning indoctrination.
So I am of a socialist persuasion, I want to see social equality and support the weak. But that’s different from voting Labour.
I am also a fan of small government, preferring local management of local needs. But that gets complicated.
Europe, whilst probably an inevitable imposition in the future, doesn’t fit for me. But as a realist I’m prepared to let it happen.
But what I want more than anything is a voice. When I vote I want it to be recognised and counted towards something I believe in, not just discarded with the loser’s voting slips.
What I feel most strongly for this election is the need for electoral reform. I’m looking forward to a hung parliament if only because issues may need to be properly debated. Yes I think it will mess up the economy some more, but perhaps that is the price to pay for real change.
The Conservatives want us to vote for change. I would rather vote for a vote for change. I will be voting for the Liberal Democrats. I know the candidate will probably lose. He will not lose his deposit however and for that reason my vote may still count as I’m sure they will consider my vote in a PR manner and use it to bring an electoral change agenda forward.
Oh, by the way. I am an idealist too. That means I live in a state of constant disappointment so don’t feel sorry for me. I’m used to it.
About Peter
Well, I live in a staunchly conservative area and my vote isn’t going to make any difference but for what it’s worth, I’ll vote Lib Dem.
If we’re lucky we’ll get electoral reform and then maybe next time my vote will matter.