The Saint
Democracy in action?
Nick Clegg agrees with Bernie Feng
While it is extremely ironic for an American such as myself to comment on the intricacies of the UK General Election, it is rather interesting that the political manipulations in this election are more obvious than elsewhere. Yes, Americas strictly two-party system does not allow for a proper political spectrum, each party representing a very wide range of views, but being dominated by one; however the emergence of the Liberal Democrats as a potent political force in British politics has very interesting repercussions, both good and bad, for democracy.
For example, the Labour Party, even though being the most hated mainstream party in the country (or at least, in St Andrews), could still emerge with the most seats on the lowest share of the vote. Their only hope of survival would be to sign a deal with the Liberal Democrats, but how would that look for them if Nick Cleggs team give its backing to the least popular political party? The public, many of whom did not want Labour retain power in 10 Downing Street, would feel utterly betrayed. But signing a deal with the Tories would be ideologically damaging for the party, with more people in the party wishing for a pact with Labour. So, instead of a government sworn in by popular mandate, there is a strong chance that the election is decided by a small backroom deal.
People talk of tactical voting. Voting Lib Dems to keep the Conservatives out, or voting SNP to get Labour out. Whatever happened to voting for the party that represented your values the most? And what if you truly admired the Labour candidate for your constituency, but had nothing but contempt for Gordon Brown? Britain has a parliamentary system, but its Prime Ministers are beginning to act like Presidents, thanks to the spin-room, PR-obsessed New Labour machine.
And yet, without this style of spin, how could Labour have gotten elected in 1997 in the first place? Their socialist policies, despite being well-positioned against Thatchers policies, which enacted the poll tax and tore apart the people from lower-income backgrounds, did not seem to connect with the people. Neil Kinnocks shock defeat in 1992 was a clear indicator that the only way to become electable was to say what the people want to hear. Party policy goes out the window in favour of spin. The reason why politicians are so full of guile is because they will not get elected if they do not sucker up to the electorate, which shows that the nature of modern democracy has become nothing more than a dictatorship of the majority. In order for a political party to survive, it must support what the majority supports, even if it means abandoning the values of the party.
People complain that all the parties are the same, but it is the people themselves that have made it so. There are no longer a wide range of values represented among parties, so less people turn out to vote, and in turn, the ruling party has its way with the electorate, which causes more people to become disillusioned with the political system. It certainly does not help that a leader of the government does not have to be elected in the case of Gordon Brown.
Funding is also a major issue. Rupert Murdoch controls a good amount of the press and by extension holds sway over the hearts and minds of the easily impressionable masses. While Nick Clegg is beginning to gain equal recognition with Brown and Cameron, thanks ironically to the press, will his party have the financial means of funding their campaign?
Elections are a chance to have your voice heard. It does not happen very often, and you have only yourself to blame if you end up with a government you didnt want in the first place, if you didnt vote. So, make it count, and vote for the party that stands up for you.
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