Having lived in England for nearly 36 years I feel at last able to comment on politics. It’s not that I have never been involved or taken an interest in politics(more of that later) but as a Yank I have always been aware that even the natives of these islands are not always aware of what is going on. Let me explain.
To an American British Politics have always seemed quirky. I admire the power given to call elections and all the other posturing that goes with it. Much better that the brash, in your face, American political machine,where everyone fits into a category (nice-eh?) and campaigning goes on for so long that it becomes more like background music. Somehow it all seems to fit with other British institutions like cricket test matches and Bank Holidays. However British is not a word I would use these days. These are largely English institutions. And as the English as a people awake and grasp their identity, my question is: Have they left it too late?
As I watch the politicians on the box doing their bit to ’sell’ their wares to us I want to shout at them: ‘You just don’t get it!’ I believe that they have not really understood the mind of England. Lack of choice offered by the politicians as they compete to sell us their wares or disparage their opponents wares stops them from hearing our real questions. ‘Why are the English denied their country?’ Why are the ’suits’ in Europe telling us what to do? Why are we not allowed to hear any views apart from the main ‘approved’ political voices? All they really want to do is tell us how great their ‘big idea’ is compared to their opponents’.
Don’t get me wrong, I am impressed that anyone can stand for Parliament provided they have £500 to waste. What they don’t get is an equal platform for the ideas that they bring (however different) to be heard. Big is heard; small is not. Oh unless you have a controversial platform that just manages to not be legally proscribed like the BNP. Or you are a ’single issue’ party like UKIP.
In America only folk with access to a good political machine stand for high office. And access to that machine brings much needed cash to pay for all the endless advertising that is required to make a dent on voters consciousness. Come on, if you are putting out ads during prime time you have to compete with all the various life changing products on offer. I want a politician who can at least offer me the same thrill as an end to wrinkles or instant weight loss.
So my question is: What has this to do with Democracy? Is it just mindless posturing by a controlling elite who are just slickly manoevring the voters into a pre-determined selection. I am not surprised that so many people don’t bother to vote. The whole thing feels like manipulation and I sympathise with voters who don’t want to be part of it. If Democracy is brought into disrepute then the only alternative for the people is revolution!
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