Whenever an especially loathsome view is expressed by some renegade party member, of course the leadership stresses that the person concerned isn't voicing the official party view, that they're speaking for themself, that they were speaking off the record and so on. The fact remains that the view was loathsome and I wouldn't want to be associated with it.
MPs from all parties for example regularly come up with appallingly sexist and misogynist views, causing widespread embarrassment to party supporters. A Labour MP has just told a Tory MP that she shouldn't disagree with her husband in public and she wasn't being a "good little girl". Why would I want to be in the same party as someone who says things like that?
If other people are prepared to put up with such throwbacks for the sake of some collective goal, the best of luck, but I'd rather not. I couldn't simply pretend they don't exist or make excuses for them. I'd want to keep their nasty opinions as far away from me as possible.
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ReplyDeleteKris: Indeed, the endless careerism nowadays is a sad development. Not to mention milking the system for all it's worth.
ReplyDeleteYes, yes, and yes. What bothers me most is how they pander to their audience. I'd love to see my country do away with the party system and just have an election of many candidates. Force voters to read up on many different candidates' views and vote with your brain, not your party.
ReplyDeleteBijoux: Absolutely, pandering to their audience, saying whatever they think will go down well even if it's a pack of lies. Yes, there used to be a lot more independent candidates in the old days and that probably worked better than the present system.
ReplyDeleteI'd love a revised system with individuals rather than parties, too. And I could easily rule out anyone who told a woman she should be a good little girl! Holy hell.
ReplyDeleteAgent: Scratch some Labour MPs and you'll find some pretty old-fashioned views under the surface, unfortunately.
ReplyDeleteI don't belong to any political party...that's not going to change either.
ReplyDeleteThe closest I can get is to the Green Party...at least they have values and ethics. Unfortunately, their stances on the economy and GM foods are too vague and inflammatory for me to stomach.
In the end, I don't know who represents me. Who is standing up for honesty, clear values, has a vision and refuses to kow-tow to the ignorant. Find me that person and I'll be happy voting for them.
Roses: Oh yes to that - honesty, clear values, vision and not kow-towing. Not many politicians who embody all that lot. If only.
ReplyDeleteI'm quite keen on the Greens too, but as you say some of their policies are a bit vague and unconvincing.
I do cast my vote when required, but other than that I have no real time for politicians at all levels. I have known many, both here in Ulster and in the South of Ireland, alas none of them would make me change my mind. As far as I see it their main aim is to line their own pockets.
ReplyDeleteGrannymar: Pocket-lining does seem to be a very common aim. Though Northern Ireland's councillors get a pretty puny allowance compared with other wage-earners, so I guess public service must also come into it.
ReplyDeleteIt took a while for me to understand that I do not matter to politicians. I am not part of their constituency. Whatever they do or say is entirely appropriate for their constituency. I bet that there will be many nodding heads agreeing with that comment among a type of voter/party member population.
ReplyDeleteI'm slowly coming to terms with the fact we're all living in an oligarchy.
ReplyDeleteI was asked to run for the Greens a few years ago and I'm glad I didn't as they proved to be just like the rest of the wankers in Ireland.
I think apathy reigns and I've finally succumbed.
XO
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Ramana: In the UK, oldies are more likely to vote than the young, so I think my voting potential is of some interest to the politicians. Unfortunately their policies make me disinclined to vote. Especially the rampant sectarianism that dominates NI politics.
ReplyDeletewww: Interesting that you became equally disillusioned with the Greens. All politicians seem to become detached from the voters' everyday concerns eventually.
You're absolutely right, Nick, and it's the reason I can't get excited about voting, either. I used - many moons ago and for a very short time - to be a member of the Lib Dems, but only until I discovered that they were just the same as everyone else when it came to the disparity between what they said and what they actually wanted to commit to doing.
ReplyDeleteI don't know what the solution is, but someone needs to find one. My favourite idea would be to make them all responsible for their deeds in office, and not just until the next election. If they foul something up, they should be held accountable, whether they're still in office or not.
Jay: Indeed, I've often thought the same, there should be a way of removing politicians from office in between elections if enough voters object to what they're doing.
ReplyDelete