Pete and I have recently been told that we hold antiquated liberal views and have an awful anti-Daily Mail bias (have you seen The Daily Mail song? It’s awesome). Apparently the world would be a better place if we moved somewhere without electricity, but I’m sure we’ll talk about that some more in the next episode of the show.
There’s a General Election looming in the UK, allegedly a chance to express our views and vote in a government who represents us and has our welfare at heart. Given that voter apathy has been increasing alarmingly and there doesn’t seem to be much to choose from between the three main parties (actually two, since the Liberal Democrats don’t make much headway), that doesn’t seem likely to happen.
I have never been into politics much, I find politicians dull and most of them appear quite weasely (although ours is Dr Evan Harris and he seems like a genuine chap). But over the last couple of years, several things have made me angry enough to consider getting more involved. The first was the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq, which we protested (Pete actually went on the march). So many protestors, so little notice taken by the government.
Last year I wrote to the Home Office because I wanted a license to grow hemp in the back garden. Hemp, a really useful plant that has been grown through the ages and has been bred to contain so little THC it wouldn’t be worth smoking. They said no. No doubt I’m on some list somewhere, now, too. But as well as being disappointing it has brought to my attention the ludicrous drug laws we have in this country, which (to my mind) simply encourage illegal drug-trafficking and criminalise thousands of young people for whom the government has failed to create a bright future. The latest scandal about mephedrone just adds to my concerns.
And now there’s the Digital Economy Bill, which in its current form contains legislation that would disconnect internet connections which had been used to ‘violate copyright’ – without trial and regardless of who had committed the offence. Free wi-fi hotspots and internet cafes are likely to be the first victims as they won’t be able to risk a fine. And why exactly is Peter Mandelson, a man who has been forced to resign from government several times due to various scandals, still steering policy? Or being seen in public life at all for that matter. He should retire and write his memoirs so we can all vote with our wallets and not buy then book.
All of which is combining to make me more and more Libertarian – resenting the constant interference of big government in affairs I am quite happy to take personal responsibility for. It is interesting to be re-evaluating my political stance in the run up to a General Election. How will I vote? Probably for the Green Party.
Comments on Politics and elections
Comment posted by travis on Wed, Apr 7 2010 at 10:22am ∞
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