Give Me A Cure For Political Apathy

I don't normally listen to radio phone ins. They drive me bonkers. For some reason, the members of the public that the shows producers pick to speak on air are almost universally ignorant peasants. Often the supposedly "expert" guests are no better. However, on Friday, my husband and I were on a long car journey and were listening to BBC Radio 5 Live in the run up to Nick Clegg's speech on the Alternative Vote (AV) referendum. It was the usual rubbish, exactly what you would expect from a political phone in. People speaking who had no idea what they were talking about, a hill-billy type who was calling for a general election every 12 months in order to shake things up; someone who only wants to vote UKIP and doesn't want to pansy about with numbers on the ballot paper and so on.

But one woman really got my goat. She was given the opportunity to speak in favour of AV, she sounded really positive, if a little naive and said it was about time there was an opportunity for change and she wants to be able to put a tick on her ballot paper instead of a cross (AV doesn't work like that, there are no ticks or crosses required, just numbers). But generally she was upbeat and inoffensive. Then she was asked about political apathy and why people today often don't exercise their right to vote (around 40% of people don't vote in general elections in this country, turnout for local and European elections is even worse). Here she lost me. She said that she didn't vote, that all politicians are the same and that no amount of reform would change that. Sigh.

I really cannot stand political apathy in and of itself, but what I really dislike is the hypocrisy of political apathy coupled with complaint. I don't approve of compulsory voting. I think people have as much right to abstain as to cast a vote and that in some cases abstaining in itself makes a point. It is this very fact that has brought us to the point of even having a referendum on reform, the people who have been not voting in droves have been listened to by the Liberal Democrats and other political reformists and they want to find a way to engage those people with the political process again.

BUT, if you don't vote, then in my opinion you do relinquish your right to bitch to yourself, your friends, the internet etc about the decisions that politicians make. If you haven't voted and have no intention of ever voting or campaigning in any way for changes that you believe would be better for our country, then you have absolutely no right to whinge about the decisions that get made. You have chosen not to exercise your right to vote, you have chosen to disengage from the political process so when politics has a negative impact on your life, be it because of cuts to benefits or a rise in taxes, or cuts to the NHS that mean your local doctor's surgery can no longer run a drop in surgery, or school class sizes soaring to 35, whatever it is, shut up. Or get off your backside and do something about it.

Contrary to popular opinion, not all politicians are carbon copies of one another. Local MPs and councillors are often very approachable and engaged with their constituents. There are service user forums and committees to join, petitions to sign, letters to MPs to write stating what you do and do not approve of. The government IS accountable to the people and it DOES listen, sometimes it takes a lot of voices shouting in unison and the big things are very difficult to change, but you do have a voice and if you choose not to use it then follow your own precedent, and keep quiet if you don't like what comes of it.

A Liberal Life

In his speech at the Lib Dem conference in Brighton this week, Sir Menzies Campbell gave an inspiring speech about the future of the party. Apathy and disillusionment are severe problems in Britain today and I know that many of you reading this email will be planning to dismiss what I say. "All politicians are the same", "all the parties are the same", "nothing will ever change" - I tell you what... with attitudes like that you're damn right! Things will never change if people continue to brush off the possibilities, if people give up on hope and ambition.

I am a Liberal Democrat because I believe that we, as a nation, deserve better. We deserve a free, fair and green country to live in and more than that... I believe that we can achieve it.

Ming concluded his speech with these words:

"I will lead this party into the next election with energy, ambition and determination. Because the stakes for this party have never been higher. And liberalism has never been needed more than it is today. So whenever people ask you: “Why vote Liberal Democrat?” tell them this:
We alone are prepared to break the cosy consensus of British politics and face up to the challenges confronting our society. To create a country that is free, fair and green.

[...]

Only we can achieve that free, fair and green society. Because only we believe in it – Only we will work for it – Only we will fight for it. The Liberal Democrats versus Labour and the Tories. Today, our party is not only the real alternative: It is the only alternative. Not two against one. But one against two."

To read the full speech go here.

Please don't dismiss me out of hand. Please don't hit "delete" without a second thought. Read what Ming has to say, think about what you can do to help. Even if that doesn't mean voting Lib Dem at the next election, tell your other friends what the Lib Dems have to say, tell people you meet that the political landscape needs to change and encourage people to vote with their feet. Literally. If there is an issue you care about, even just one issue, get out there and do something about it! Shout from the rooftops "No! I will not lie down and submit to this! I demand change!"

Thanks for reading. Now go do.