Current UK electioneering

[slideyfoot]

Rather depressing that UK politicians have been reduced to simply bitching about the other parties. I'm not quite sure why they think this makes them look good, as on the contrary, it gives the strong impression that if they have to resort to negative sniping about the other parties, then clearly they have nothing positive to promote about themselves.

Bleh - I always vote Lib Dem anyway, safe in the knowledge they'll never get into power so can still pretend to have ideals.

Fight the power, and all that .

[MooseSock]

I vote Labour but only because there's absolutely no fucking choice. I suppose I could switch to voting Lib Dem but what it might end up doing is letting the Tories in 'through the back door' as it were.

I could just stop voting but I feel guilty about all those women and railings and things

[Kim o the Concrete Jungle]

Originally Posted by MooseSock

I vote Labour but only because there's absolutely no fucking choice. I suppose I could switch to voting Lib Dem but what it might end up doing is letting the Tories in 'through the back door' as it were.

You don't have preferential voting there?

[wheels5894]

Well for those not in the Uk, the election system is a 'first past the post' system. In each constituency we have a choice of candidates and the one with most votes wins, even if it is a great deal less than 50%. This means that most people voting don't vote for the governing party but are stuck with it anyway.

As regards negative talk about the 'other' parties, didn't the UK get this from the US? I'm suresome of it came that way. I think Mrs Thatcher had help from the Republicans in her campaigns. It seems from research we are more likely to take note of the negative comments that positive ones about a particular party. I suspect this is because the majority of the population can't be bothered, especially the way the UK is governed now.

[Moosey]

It's weird cuz, you know, I am almost sure that most people would prefer parties to NOT slag off the other parties and to concentrate instead on what they can offer - and be honest about it. I would certainly have a good deal of respect for any party that started doing that. But maybe the majority of the electorate are simply morons and enjoy all the mud slinging.. who knows?

[slideyfoot]

Presumably whoever is in charge of the respective campaigns wouldn't do it unless they had some reason to believe it would work. It pisses me off (and apparently the rest of you), but somebody somewhere must be listening to this crap.

Also seems to have impinged on commercial advertising; used to be that when some product was saying they were great, it would be in comparison to 'our competitiors' or 'leading brand' or something. Now, they get specific - again, annoying.

[Moosey]

Yes I've noticed that actually. I used to think that it was illegal to say 'we're better than ......' but apparently not, as everyone seems to be doing it. From washing powders to newspapers they're all so keen to tell us how much better their product is and now much more it sells *rolls eyes*

[Jinx]

Originally Posted by slideyfoot

Also seems to have impinged on commercial advertising; used to be that when some product was saying they were great, it would be in comparison to 'our competitiors' or 'leading brand' or something. Now, they get specific - again, annoying.

I quite like that development - I'd hope it forces them to be more honest. If you say 'removes more stains than the leading competitor', you've made a value statement, contingent on who you consider 'the leading competitor'. If you say 'removes more stains than Ariel', then you've made a factual, testable statement contingent on the effects of your product and Ariel. The Advertising Standards Authority, if it isn't completely neutered, can then check your claim.

Similarly, since you're pitting your claims about a specific product made by a specific company, that company's lawyers are perhaps more likely to keep your overzealous marketing guys in check than an increasingly impotent government agency.

What pisses me off about political broadcasts is that their statements are so generalised, they're basically unaccountable. I love Moose's idea of making everyone who wants to vote sit a test about the actual policies (and maybe a 1 or 2 sentence explanation of the reasoning behind them) in every major area of each party standing in their constituency. Then there'd be little point in appealing to the lowest common denomenator, since he wouldn't be voting.

[Seb]

Nice idea:

A limited number of places are available for the launch of our recent pamphlet
by Dr Alan Whitehead MP:

Title: Anti-Politics and the Need for Party Funding
Date and Time: Wednesday 26 April, 4pm-5.30pm
Location: House of Commons, Committee Room 21b

In this pamphlet, Dr Whitehead summarises the state of British polity. He
identifies how the media and public policy conjoin to create a culture which
assumes that party politics is a nasty business and that those involved in it
are to be mistrusted and denigrated.

Until now, parties have attempted to hide from their problems at a local level
by relying on large donations and loans to the central party. This has only
distanced them still further from the local electorate and added to perceptions
of corruption and sleaze.

Our polity depends upon political parties. It is therefore vital that they are
healthy and able to inspire trust in the populace. Dr Whitehead believes that a
system of regulated state funding for political parties, targeted to reward
activism and participation at a local level, may be the answer. It would not
only help to restore trust in parties; it may also create a deeper understanding
of the role that parties play in maintaining our democracy.

Peter Facey, Director of the New Politics Network, will join Dr Whitehead on a
panel. We have also invited Andrew Tyrie MP to discuss the Conservatives’
recent proposals for state funding. Martin Linton MP will chair the discussion.

The New Politics Network has been involved in the debate around state funding
for a number of years and we hope that this will be a well-attended and
provocative seminar. Given recent events, we certainly anticipate a lively
discussion.

Places are strictly limited and will be allocated on a first come, first served
basis. Please email emily@new-politics.net or call 020 7278 4443.

The pamphlet is available on the New Politics Network website to read and
comment on
(http://www.new-politics.com/blog/200...tate-funding/).

Hmmm I have to read the pamphlet.

[scarey girl]

[RANT]Now, I haven't seen all of the other party political broadcasts, but I just sat through the Labour Party's one.

And I have to say if I wasn't already not going to vote Labour I sure as hell am not going to now! What a load of twaddle!

For those of you who are British, the whole thing was about how the leader of the Conservatives is a chamelion (sp?) who changes his colour all the time, but underneath all he says he is still blue, and therefore can't be trusted, shouldn't be voted for, can't make up his mind etc etc etc

There was a time, right, when PPB used to tell the viewer what the party invovled would do for you, wasn't there? As opposed to what the nearest competition will/won't do???

It really really really gets on my nerves. I always vote, but sometimes I wish I could do something else and still make a difference.[/RANT]

[Jinx]

What's the election, anyway? I didn't think we were due for anything..?

[slideyfoot]

Who's this 'we'? Or are you postal voting? :wink:

Its only a local election; 4th May, I think.

[Moosey]

I was just gonna say exactly what scarey girl seems to have said - that Labour party broadcast was appalling. It's basically saying 'vote for us cos the other party sucks' without saying ONE THING about what Labour has to offer the country or the average voter. Fucking disgusting and very badly advised.

[slideyfoot]

Like I said in the OP, I'm both irritated and highly suspicious if a party/company has to resort to adverts which are entirely negative about someone else, rather than putting forward anything positive about the party/company in question.

I don't care if the other party sucks donkey balls, what is your party going to offer me? Grr; bloody politicians. Well, bloody advertisers the politicians employ, anyway.