A Mind Lost

The UK votes today in European and local elections and just like every other election since 1992, I won’t be voting.  More than ever now, I believe that our political system is broken.  We basically have two parties (ok there’s a third but they are so far behind they are almost irrelevant) who will do absolutely anything to score points against each other and gain power for themselves and that’s all it’s about, gaining power.  We have a 4-5 year cycle in general elections and the purpose of each party is to make sure that they win the next election.  The public good comes a very distant second.

The recent response to the economic downturn has been a prime example.  It is a case where the best solutions have to be debated and put into practice for the good of the nation and it’s people. Instead we’ve had our two main parties bickering and sniping at each other trying to knock each others ideas and score power points.  As I’ve said so many times in the past, recession is more about confidence and public psychology than anything else.  The Conservatives in opposition have publicy talked down the economy because “it’s all Labour’s fault” and the more damage they can do to Labour the closer the Conservatives are to power at the next election, an election which they might even be able to force the country into early even though that might not be the best thing for the economy or the country.  For their part Labour have shouted down any decent ideas or policies the Conservatives have had to improve our economic situation.

What I want, and it’s for more qualified people than me to speculate as to how it could be brought to be, is for a system of consensual politics whereby the best solution is the target, not power.  People need to have confidence that their elected officials are working for them, making their lives better and safer, and not simply giving platitudes while chasing power and wealth (do i need to mention MP expenses!?) for themselves and their colleagues.

What it ultimately boils down to is that I don’t belive my vote means anything, it is a means to the politicians end, not mine.