Well we voted in the local elections as we always do. Duty done and all that, but
was it worthwhile? I don’t think it was. Nothing significant will change because
elections are all about marketing our political system rather than changing it.
So why do we do it? Many don’t bother, especially in local
elections and I see their point. For us, each vote is only about forty
minutes from our lives, but I don’t think a vote is even worth forty
minutes. Oh well, I’ve spent the time now. I wonder what it will buy?
8 comments:
Nice little walk, spot of exercise.
It has occurred to me that our population is made up of so many people with varying levels of education, intelligence, experience, interests etc that it is clearly impossible to arrive at an acceptable consensus as to how the country should be governed. The present electoral process and the long established system of political parties further guarantees that a consensus cannot be reached. Something very profound needs to happen before we can even approach such a very much to be desired result.
You can look in the foundational documents of the USA as hard as you like and find no mention of the "democracy" they are now
so keen to export to others - at bayonet point if necessary. The founding fathers, being classically educated gentlemen, distrusted the
very idea. They knew that democracy in the hands of demagogues led to dictatorship.
" Too democratical a constitution will mean we have but exchanged King George for King Numbers", said John Smith of Roanoke
Virginia to his fellow citizens of the Old Dominion.
I think with Parish Council elections, you can feel that you're poking one at those who you feel are stupid or ignorant, or just unpleasant.
For instance, there's one chap on our council, who told me once that he didn't vote for something I have a passion for, which is anti-speeding in the village. So he didn't get my vote, and I suppose I felt better for that.
Otherwise, life just goes on, and apart from local councils being powerless to do anything which is dictated by bigger councils up the line, and have to accept huge housing developments, or a supermarket/prison on their doorstep, they are sometimes good at arranging the bonfire party or celebrating some kid who came third in a race somewhere.
Passed the village hall where votes are being cast for the PCC job, looked like a land based version of the Marie Celeste not a person or car in sight and the same on return leg.
This extra layer of lucrative jobs for the boys that no one wanted was foisted on us and despite rumblings about dispensing with the post remains.
The local list of candidates are all party based with only the incumbent known and only the same canvasing for the the position, the others being completely invisible.
The incumbent will probably remain in the post despite managing as his only worthwhile ? achievement to waste over 300k on a consultancy on merging with the local county that they knew nothing about and scuppered and having to pay back around 15k in "expenses" that were not justified.
He will be voted in by a percentage of the electorate that will be so small that would in any sane world have the position declared void, but not of course where British politics are concerned.
I did my bit. Apparently the queue at the polling station had been too long (sorry, two long) at one time. So I voted for the next in line candidate (we live in a very predictable area) on the basis that incumbents cannot be trusted and need someone breathing down their necks. As for this morning's news broadcast - so dull I tuned to R2 - even that was better than listening to pointless talking heads.
We put our postal votes in a safe place while we made up our minds. So they were put in the dust bin by accident. Zeus moves in mysterious ways.
James - too much traffic to be pleasant.
Henry - I think something is stirring along those lines, but what it is I'm not sure.
Edward - I wish I had more faith in democracy, at least as an ideal, but it isn't easy.
Scrobs - at least the bonfire parties and races are enjoyable for the kids.
Wiggia - I agree, many elections would be void in a sane world.
Roger - yes, the trouble with talking heads is that they so rarely say anything radical. If they do they are not invited back. Yet there are lots of interesting and informed people out there.
Demetrius - we may as well have done the same.
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