My home for the last 10 years or so has been the glorious city of Plymouth. With its industrial heritage based around Devonport dockyard the two urban constituencies of Plymouth are Labour strongholds and the boundary changes this election will only reinforce that. In 2005 the Tories came in in second place in both constituencies and the Green Party didn't even put up a candidate. This election they will but I've been driven to seriously consider voting Lib Dem tactically by a letter to the Graun endorsing the LDs and signed by several people I admire and respect greatly, notably including George (hat tip to Anon). Does anyone else think this is a good idea? With their current popularity and Labour's lack of it they may well be serious contenders for the seat and I'm thinking that a principled vote for the Green's will be wasted under the current undemocratic electoral system. At least the Lib Dems are committed to electoral reform and appear to be the least-worst option of the three main parties.
Don't get me wrong. I still think the Lib Dems are mostly a shower of cunts without any effective environmental or economic policies. I am just reminded of Michael Moore's criticism of Ralph Nader in the 2000 USA presidential elections. Nader refused to throw his support behind Al Gore, despite not standing a cat's chance on an Italian cookery show of winning himself. Despite subsequent analysis showing Nader's decision to continue contesting the election played no role in Gore's subsequent defeat the situation may arise here on May 6th. Although I'm leaving the country it would please me greatly to know that my Janner friends have a less sociopathic political representative in Westminster than a dirty Tory.
Don't get me wrong. I still think the Lib Dems are mostly a shower of cunts without any effective environmental or economic policies. I am just reminded of Michael Moore's criticism of Ralph Nader in the 2000 USA presidential elections. Nader refused to throw his support behind Al Gore, despite not standing a cat's chance on an Italian cookery show of winning himself. Despite subsequent analysis showing Nader's decision to continue contesting the election played no role in Gore's subsequent defeat the situation may arise here on May 6th. Although I'm leaving the country it would please me greatly to know that my Janner friends have a less sociopathic political representative in Westminster than a dirty Tory.
Peter Tatchell is also advocating tactical voting in seats where the Lib Dems are best placed to win or already hold the seat (http://www.pinknews.co.uk/2010/04/27/peter-tatchell-encourages-green-voters-to-support-lib-dems/). We have a once in a generation opportunity to end the two-party dictatorship. If you do choose to vote tactically write to the Brighton Argus and say you are a Green voting Lib Dem in Devon, and call for Lib Dems in Brighton Pavilion to lend their vote to Caroline Lucas.
ReplyDeletePredictions from a Canadian psephologist following the UK election closely:
ReplyDeletehttp://bciconcoclast.blogspot.com/2010/04/63-seats-i-am-90-certain-will-be-lost.html
Names the two Plymouth seats as possible Lib Dem gains.
Argh. It's painful, isn't it?
ReplyDeleteHere in Oxford East it's Labour vs Lib Dems. I actively dislike them both. An LD win would make a hung parliament more likely, but a Labour win would reduce the Tories' chance of being the largest party. I can see no clear tactical vote here, so I feel comfortable voting Green - it's a possible future Green target if they can keep building up their vote here.
What a ludicrous way to apportion power. Here's something that sums up my feelings on the matter, that you might like - it's a video lament for our crap electoral system using the power of dodgy rhymes, daft jokes, sarcasm and pop culture references:
http://tiny.cc/electionhijack
Danny x
If it was Oxford West Danny, I would hope you'd support Lib Dem Dr Evan Harris - the Green candidate supports nuclear power.
ReplyDeleteIsn't the former Green candidate Peter Tatchell calling for tactical voting.