Well, I’ve discovered WordPress for my (new) BB*, so I suppose I better post something.
Quickly, I’ve got a couple of teething problems, first off, being the qwerty keyboard – I keep typing three “c”s or three “r”s (r is the 3 key), or similar. The optical trackpad (or whatever it’s called) annoys me occasionally, and what I already mentioned*.
Anyway, what I’m mainly writing about is the big political news of the week, and my tuppence-worth on the whole thing.
Yes! In this wonderful democracy of ours, we get out half-decade’s-worth sop to the idea that we have any say in what’s going on! It’s the General Election in a month! Yay!
When I was in my last year of secondary, my Modern Studies teacher got me interested in politics, and I’ve voted in each possible election since – including a postal vote in (I think) the European elections while I was at sea. I’ve voted in four different constituencies – Eilean Siar, Edinburgh and two in Glasgow – in a dozen (or so) local, Scottish, National and EUSSR elections.
Anyway, elections coming up. And for the first time in my voting life, I’m stumped. I don’t want to harp on about living in the back of beyond – it is my choice after all – but there’s so little point in voting here. For the past century or so** this constituency has swung between Labour and the SNP. It’s rather depressing really.
My reasons for not voting Labour should be abundantly clear.
The SNP have, in their Holyrood tenure, been only slightly less authoritarian than Labour in Westminster, and jump on any passing “BAN IT!!!!” bandwagon going past. Nae chance, pal.
If the Liberal Democrats could find it in their parliamentary party to be at all libertarian or even democratic, they would be a possibility, but they can’t, so they’re not, so it’s a pass on them too.
The Tories. Well, they’re not Tories any more, are they? Under the helmsmanship of the vapid Blair-alike Cameron they have entered a “who’s more Socialist” pissing contest with Labour. They never even had an outside chance of representing Lewis, even before their candidate joined a spoof Facebook group calling for a new harbour for Achmore. A hamlet whose only claim to fame is that it’s the only village with no sea access on the whole Island. Foot out of your mouth now darling, and jog on, Blue Labour.
I am reserving judgement on the new Christian Independent candidate. I’ll make up my mind when he publicises his economic, social and environmental policies. I want to hope that he will be more to my taste than any of the others, but he previously stood for the Christian Party, and I’m not their biggest fan. I need to do more digging I feel.
So, I’m a true floating voter***. I’m in a position now that I will vote for the first independent candidate that can offer to fight for at least most of my requirements****.
A month of tedium to go, then.
The Redeeming Defect 