Impolitic 3: “It’s not Dinner Party Conversation”

I posted this about two years ago in the lead up to the General Election 2015 that eventually saw Cameron win his second term. It turns out the next election wasn’t so far away after all.

Two years on and I am still mightily disillusioned by the options placed before me, in spite of my determination to take part in the process. Two years on and global political unrest is starting to simmer and bubble; the cauldron of public opinion threatening to overflow. Russia, Korea, France, the USA, to name a few. But perhaps it’s the same as it’s always been and I’m just more attuned to it. Every book I read is suddenly vibrating with political ingenuity. Every article, blog, status and tweet chiming in time with the zeitgeist.

This time around, I enter the fray with renewed vigour and a more mature outlook. But I am still fighting the onslaught of bias everywhere, and the enforced abstinence of politics from polite conversation.

Alphabetty Spaghetty

Dinner Party Battle Edit

(For those who are unfamiliar with my earlier posts: I am 21 and until recently, I made no effort to engage with politics. I recently made the decision to change that.)

The way the media and indeed the parties themselves perpetuate the hype and tit-for-tat style of campaigning, it is difficult to know what and who you are really voting for. It’s so easy to vote for the person rather than the policies, the Figurehead rather than the Party. What’s more, it is not uncommon for someone to align with one party, but fail to relate to that party’s leader.

“I vote for The Whatsit Enthusiasts, but Mr Thing-a-me Bob is a nincompoop.”

Why is it so common for the general public to find themselves backing a leader they think incompetent? Political leanings can flip-flop dramatically when a new Party Leader is elected. And, come the general election, you might…

View original post 688 more words

Advertisement

Book Review: “On Tyranny” by Timothy Snyder

On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

by Timothy Snyder

on tyranny

A short book deserves a short review.

Concise, punchy and imperative, this world of ours needs people who think, write and do as Timothy Snyder does. This book should be required reading for anyone who believes in democracy. But in particular, it is an urgent message for the young and apathetic voters of not just this country, but every country. Despite its focus on Trump’s America, this is a message for all. It is a call to action and a pointed reminder that oppression and tyranny is a cornerstone of our global history. We need not look far to find it. It is closer to us than we realise, ensconced in our “safe” democracy. Do not take choice for granted. Do not take your voice for granted. Do not take your right to vote for granted.

Register to vote now.


Title: On Tyranny: Twenty Lessons from the Twentieth Century

Author: Timothy Snyder

ISBN: 9781847924889

Publisher: Bodley Head, Penguin Random House

Buy it here.

Don’t Forget to Vote!

 

Voting Time.

People who have registered to vote but are planning not to.

Russell Brand is lobbying against voting. Ed Miliband met with him to discuss this issue, amongst others. One thing all politicians should be united on is encouraging everyone over 18 to vote. There is not enough of this.  Politicians are too busy saying “Vote for me,” when they should be saying “Vote.”

Vote. Full Stop.

There are thousands of people who are making the deliberate decision not to vote in this year’s election. Thousands of people saying “What’s the point? It doesn’t make a difference anyway.” Thousands of people feel powerless in the face of politics – disillusioned by bureaucracy, false promises, the same old faces.

I disagree with them.

I do not feel powerless.

I am instead daunted by the power my vote will have. When I began this project to educate myself in politics, I had no idea who I was going to vote for.  I knew very little about the party leaders I could vote for. Making an informed decision is something I decided to take seriously.

People who are still undecided this morning, you are taking this vote seriously. Why haven’t you decided yet unless you consider it to be an important decision? Take you time, consider your options, yes. But just make sure you vote today.

This year’s election may well make history. No one can really predict the outcome and that means that EVERY VOTE COUNTS.

Don’t forget to vote today.