I've just exercised my democratic right and scribbled a cross on a bit of paper before placing it in a box. That's all I've done, I haven't sent a message to the Bums In Power, I haven't changed anything, made a difference or even saved the world. In fact, since I drove to the polling station through a beautifully misty rural dawn, I've probably done my little bit to destroy the world.
My time this morning was wasted because I voted in a safe seat. The MP I voted against is a London barrister parachuted in by his party in the 1980s who though he's a nice enough chap if you meet him is not a man of his constituency and does little to represent all bar a relatively small and wealthy clique of his constituents. More people could vote against him than for him, but our first past the post electoral system means he's got a job for life. At least now he can't use his expenses to buy a second home.
Yet I made the effort, voted anyway. At least this way I can legitimately complain about him.
Vote early...
ReplyDelete... and often?
I think that was the full quote, and it appears to be a fashionable practice.
Suzie x
Of course, I registered my other hundred votes as postal ballots weeks ago!
ReplyDeleteCurious, I Googled. http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vote_early_and_vote_often
I spent a lot of time listening to the BBC last night. Fascinating, your political system...and I still don't have a clue. We really need to sit down in a bar and have you explain all of this in great detail.
ReplyDeleteLikewise, none of us understand the whole primary system :)
ReplyDeleteI'm ready, Jenny. Just name a place and time. We do have some supposedly authentic English pubs around these parts of the great frontier. Just let me know when.
ReplyDelete