I'm sick of the General Election already. We've had enough literature through our door to wallpaper the bathroom, and all the candidates look like they're guilty of at least seven serious offences, not to mention a couple of cardinal sins. I'm particularly sick of hearing politicians make up excuses for 'voter apathy' and calling for voting to be mandatory, while ignoring the reason why most of us decide to be apathetic. The reason people decide not to use their vote isn't because they can't be bothered, or because they don't believe in democracy; it's because they look at the list of candidates and think 'I don't want any of these people representing me.' If there was a box on the ballot that said 'None Of The Above' or 'I Do Not Believe Any Of These People To Be Up To The Task Of Governance' then the percentage of the population turning out to vote would rocket, and I think deep inside every politician there's a human being hidden away that knows that.
I also hate anyone who says 'You have to use your vote – our ancestors fought and died so that you could have it.' Well my ancestors fought and died in World War Two, so that England didn't become part of the Reich, does that mean I have to go out and kill some Germans?
I'm starting my own campaign this year. It's called 'STAY AWAY ON ELECTION DAY.' I think if enough people refuse to turn out, and voter percentages are low enough, they'll finally have to take notice and change the system, and stop using the excuse that none of us can be bothered.
And that, I promise you, is the last time I shall mention the Election...
RC 19-4-10
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