(no subject)

As everyone in Europe will know, today is the European elections. Forgive me, other European countries; you are important and I love you all, even the French, but today I'm going to talk about Britain.

Our politicians are money-grabbing idiots as the rule, at the moment. I hate it as much as you do, I really, really do. Although I am going to retain the right of the secret ballot, I had to think long and hard when I voted, even though I'm normally a clear-cut straight across the board one party supporter. I am disgusted at what they do. Trust me.

That said, of course, I will vote up until the day that they physically wrench it away from me. Until 1918, 40% of working class men and 100% of women could not vote in this country. Think about that for a minute. These were the two most populous groups in the country, and they had no vote, in a system where they were constantly told that they had the most progressive and forward-thinking democracy in Europe. (Depressingly this was probably true.)

Also? It was 1874 when the first working-men entered Parliament. 1874. And do you know what the largest amount of working-class MPs was for a long time? 28. You know why? Because they weren't paid. It wasn't simply a case of not being able to afford to live in London, etc, it was the simple fact that with no money coming in from a job they could starve, and the unions only had very limited financial resources. I am glad my MPs - and all MPs - are paid a flat wage. I am not masively happy about expenses and would like to see a reform, but you cannot take them away entirely. If working men - and women - can be in Parliament, they will do things for the majority of the people; this included things like universal suffrage.

I feel, in a way, that we've come back around to 1918, where all parties know there needs to be change and might just go radical for something to do. And that's brilliant, if it leads to honest reform. A reform, I think, is going to happen now, whatever happens. I know my history, and I know how these things work. The right to vote is now ingrained so deeply that people forget they have it, and choose not to vote. This is wrong. Our right to say who rules us is so tentative and small that it could be snatched away in a heartbeat, if we don't all stand up and fight for it.

If people don't vote - ordinary people like you and me - then we're basically fucked. The mad neo-nazis will be elected, and you and I will look on in horror as sensible, roughly democratic politics is replaced by fear and hatred.

So please, sensible and educated people on my flist, and my Circle. (First double-post, this is that important.) Please, please, please go and vote today, and make your stand, for the generations behind you that couldn't, and the generations ahead who one day may not be able to either.

Vote now. And if you weren't registered, go and get registered today or tomorrow and be ready for the next time. There's really no excuse. Us your vote, or there's a chance you might lose it.

(no subject)

As everyone in Europe will know, today is the European elections. Forgive me, other European countries; you are important and I love you all, even the French, but today I'm going to talk about Britain.

Our politicians are money-grabbing idiots as the rule, at the moment. I hate it as much as you do, I really, really do. Although I am going to retain the right of the secret ballot, I had to think long and hard when I voted, even though I'm normally a clear-cut straight across the board one party supporter. I am disgusted at what they do. Trust me.

That said, of course, I will vote up until the day that they physically wrench it away from me. Until 1918, 40% of working class men and 100% of women could not vote in this country. Think about that for a minute. These were the two most populous groups in the country, and they had no vote, in a system where they were constantly told that they had the most progressive and forward-thinking democracy in Europe. (Depressingly this was probably true.)

Also? It was 1874 when the first working-men entered Parliament. 1874. And do you know what the largest amount of working-class MPs was for a long time? 28. You know why? Because they weren't paid. It wasn't simply a case of not being able to afford to live in London, etc, it was the simple fact that with no money coming in from a job they could starve, and the unions only had very limited financial resources. I am glad my MPs - and all MPs - are paid a flat wage. I am not masively happy about expenses and would like to see a reform, but you cannot take them away entirely. If working men - and women - can be in Parliament, they will do things for the majority of the people; this included things like universal suffrage.

I feel, in a way, that we've come back around to 1918, where all parties know there needs to be change and might just go radical for something to do. And that's brilliant, if it leads to honest reform. A reform, I think, is going to happen now, whatever happens. I know my history, and I know how these things work. The right to vote is now ingrained so deeply that people forget they have it, and choose not to vote. This is wrong. Our right to say who rules us is so tentative and small that it could be snatched away in a heartbeat, if we don't all stand up and fight for it.

If people don't vote - ordinary people like you and me - then we're basically fucked. The mad neo-nazis will be elected, and you and I will look on in horror as sensible, roughly democratic politics is replaced by fear and hatred.

So please, sensible and educated people on my flist, and my Circle. (First double-post, this is that important.) Please, please, please go and vote today, and make your stand, for the generations behind you that couldn't, and the generations ahead who one day may not be able to either.

Vote now. And if you weren't registered, go and get registered today or tomorrow and be ready for the next time. There's really no excuse. Use your vote.