4th January, 2024.
11:32
I have a confession to make.
Simply this: that I’ve not spoken about politics on Nik Nak’s Old Peculiar for a while.
And never done so on my YouTube channel, @MrCuddy2977.
There’s been — from where I’m sitting? — very little to write about.
However?
I’m writing this at the start of January of 2024.
And I’m very aware there’s a chance of a General Election, this year.
Whilst I’m aware it can be as late as the 28th January of 2025?
I’m also aware it’s more than likely to be this year.
I’m very aware that general elections — and any accompanying local elections — may give us the chance to vote for a suitable candidate.
But?
Radio Four’s Today programme spent time telling us Labour Party leader, Sir Keir Starmer was, is or has, made a speech, today.
In part? He’s said;
“Do not listen to the siren voices that say we’re all the same. We’re not, and we never will be.”
I have to say … I think I may disagree.
I’ve always felt that MPs — red, blue, yellow or what have you? — are much of a muchness.
Additionally?
In a speech in Mansfield, today, Prime Minister Rishi Sunak tells us his “working assumption” is that there will be an election in the second half of this year.
That means any time from July, onwards.
That gives political parties time to start writing election manifestos: and sling mud at each other.
This gives the likes of you and me a chance to have a good long think about who — if anyone — we want to vote for.
I’ll be honest, I’ve not necessarily made my mind up about who — if anyone — to vote for.
But, as things stand, now?
Well …
It used to be I’d vote voted for the Liberal Democrats.
Until they became part of the 2010 coalition government: that was a piece of arrant treachery that lost them my vote, meant I’ve never voted for them since.
The Conservatives?
Have never had my vote: and never will.
And?
I’ve only ever voted for Labour, once: when Tony Blair was leader.
His support for the Iraq War put me off them.
That left me wondering what to do.
Occasionally? I’d vote Green: if they were standing in my ward.
I did in 2017, for example: even though I was a little unsure about their policies on what’s called Universal Basic Income.
Bluntly? I felt their figures didn’t add up.
What didn’t stop me voting for them, then, nor in subsequent local elections.
Their decision to not field candidates in some wards, did: they could only afford to stand in so many wards.
It’s about then … that I started doing what I’ve been doing for a while, now.
Spoiling my vote: at least, spoiling my ballet paper.
Something I’ve done in most elections, since.
And something I’ve encouraged others to do, as well.
~≈X≈~
You’re going to ask why, aren’t you?
It’s because, over the past few years few years worth of elections, we’ve seen parties that — to me — look increasingly alike.
Which is why I disagree with Keir Starmer, when he said he and his party were different from others.
To me? It’s honestly hard to tell the difference: beyond the colour of the tie.
None of them — beyond, possibly, Jeremy Corbyn and Caroline Lucas — are old fashioned conviction politics.
None of the candidates in the past few elections seem worth voting for.
Personally?
Feeling none of the candidates are worth voting for, means that spoiling my ballot is a worthwhile way of saying so.
~≈X≈~
Now …
I know some of the counter arguments.
My mum, and my two sister, have all pointed out that women fought — and fought hard — for the vote.
And that it should not be wasted.
Which is true.
But?
From where I’m sitting puts women in the same position as men.
That fight puts us all in the same position.
We all have the right to vote.
We all have the right to choose who to vote for.
We all have the right not to vote, if we so choose.
We all have the right not to vote: if we believe none of the candidates are worth voting for.
~≈X≈~
Another argument?
Is quite simple.
“Why not just not vote? Why not just not bother? Why not just walk past the polling station?”
My answer, there is relatively simple.
Just for once, I’d rather be a statistic.
I’d rather go on the record as a spoilt vote: as a voter who turned up.
Rather than someone who didn’t bother.
~≈X≈~
Yet a third argument … ?
Says that a spoilt ballot is a wasted vote.
That I could use by voting for a candidate who was the least worst option.
That, to me, is an invalid choice.
Remember over the last few elections, I’ve gone into the voting booth, looked at the listed candidates, and concluded none of them are worth voting for.
Let me repeat that: none of them are worth voting for.
There is, in my view, no ‘least worst option’.
No compromise candidate.
My only options are to walk past the polling station, or to spoil my vote.
~≈X≈~
Is there any solution to that?
Anything that would persuade me to not spoil my papers?
Apart from politicians becoming worth voting for?
Yes.
Potentially.
I know that UK politicians — local and national — are allowed not to vote on something: if they can’t, in good conscience, vote for or against it.
Or if they have good reason not to vote on it.
Or have a good reason to miss the vote.
Whatever: they can abstain.
They — politicians — can abstain: indeed, have to, if there’s a conflict of interest.
We — you and I, the average UK voter — can’t.
At least, beyond spoiling our votes, or not voting at all: we can’t formally abstain.
Personally?
I think having an “I Abstain” option, a “None of the Above” option, on voting slips would be a good idea.
It would allow those of us who don’t want to vote for any candidates, but still want to take part in the election, to do so.
I don’t see it happening.
But that?
Would be truly democratic.
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