NationStates Jolt Archive

To me, American democracy seems to be something of a farce- the people are given the choice between 2 large right-wing parties, both of which have incredibly similar members and ideals.

English democracy used to consist of 3 main parties, the liberal democrats representing a slight libertarian slant, the trade unionist/socialist part of Labour, and the slightly unoriginally named Conservatives. This, I feel, was a very beneficial system as the three largest political views were represented under the system.

However, as Labour and the Cons soon became the two largest parties, Labour underwent reforms to become 'New' Labour- essentially shedding itself of the old socialist front, becoming more of a "liberal" party. However, this liberalness is merely a facade. Identity cards, top up fees and unneccesarry (sic?) wars have all shown where the Labour party now stands- right next to the Tories.

My question is this- Will England soon be faced with the same situation as America, with non-mainstream voters being forced to pick the lesser of two evils, or will the liberal dems, the greens, UKIP and even the BN fucking P be able to gain more seats, making the political scene more diverse once again?

To me, American democracy seems to be something of a farce- the people are given the choice between 2 large right-wing parties, both of which have incredibly similar members and ideals.

English democracy used to consist of 3 main parties, the liberal democrats representing a slight libertarian slant, the trade unionist/socialist part of Labour, and the slightly unoriginally named Conservatives. This, I feel, was a very beneficial system as the three largest political views were represented under the system.

However, as Labour and the Cons soon became the two largest parties, Labour underwent reforms to become 'New' Labour- essentially shedding itself of the old socialist front, becoming more of a "liberal" party. However, this liberalness is merely a facade. Identity cards, top up fees and unneccesarry (sic?) wars have all shown where the Labour party now stands- right next to the Tories.

My question is this- Will England soon be faced with the same situation as America, with non-mainstream voters being forced to pick the lesser of two evils, or will the liberal dems, the greens, UKIP and even the BN fucking P be able to gain more seats, making the political scene more diverse once again?
i think Labour and Tories have become so similar in the minds of the public (still not so on economic policy, but thats not what matters to your average voter) that the Tories are being phased out. Soon we'll have a two party system alright, but it'll be Lib Dems and Labour.
Is this a good thing? No its not but i cant think of anything better (i would like to see the Tory vote becoming a vote for the 3rd party)

I think the problem is that democracy seems to evolve into a two party system due to the fact that people fear splitting the conservative or liberal vote and giving the election up to the opposition.

Really... Labour and the Tories are one and the same... the Tories however I think will die out eventually... When the Tories say they'll do X and X appeals... Labour absorbs it... and the Murdock press laps it up =/

I'm voting Lib Dem whenever Tony decides to call the election -.- because they're the only socialist party left =/

What the UK needs democracy wise is Proportional Representation... because far too many of the seats are 'safe' -.-

I heard the BNP is doing rather well.

BNP only do well at the local level... they have never to my knowledge had an MP I hope this remains the case.

I heard the BNP is doing rather well.

If you consider a dozen or so councillors out of a dozen or so thousand to be 'doing well.'

BNP only do well at the local level... they have never to my knowledge had an MP I hope this remains the case.
See, thats what sort of confuses me. If they are doing well at local level it could be expected that the same goes for national level. Or can it?

If you consider a dozen or so councillors out of a dozen or so thousand to be 'doing well.'
Well, I don't follow their progress. I just heard they did well.

I'm voting Lib Dem whenever Tony decides to call the election -.- because they're the only socialist party left =/



The Liberal Democrats are hardly Socialists.

No... national and local are a world appart :) the corrilation is more like if you're doing well at national you'll do ok at local... local doesn't really have implication on national... appart from as a 'protest vote'

-

More like socialist than labour are right now =/

Lib Dems being centre-left

I think the problem is that democracy seems to evolve into a two party system due to the fact that people fear splitting the conservative or liberal vote and giving the election up to the opposition.
It is a wonder Europe, Canada, and Australia still have more than 2 dominant parties.

In any case, UK and USA are very closely related in politics otherwise. The quasi-socialist old Democrats and Labour gave way to the centrist New Democrats under Clinton and New Labour under Blair after the Reagan-Thatcher years of dominance. However, UK seems to be sticking with the center-right party, whereas America finds center-right much too liberal for them.

The Liberal Democrats are socialists today.

Anyone who says Labour and the Tories are practically the same clearly have little idea what they are on about and just swallow up anything they are spoonfed by the over-influential media they complain about.

The Tories won't die out.

Has nobody heard they have been in the lead in opinion polls recently?

The day Labour are finally ousted from power (O', glorious day!) I feel the Blairites will shift (including Brown and his cult followers) and they will return to something more closely resembling the old, more socialist party.

Yes.

Has nobody heard they have been in the lead in opinion polls recently?
really? i heard quite the opposite. i think it was a YouGov poll if you wanna look it up (im too lazy ;) )

vote Respect (http://www.respectcoalition.org/)

To me, American democracy seems to be something of a farce- the people are given the choice between 2 large right-wing parties, both of which have incredibly similar members and ideals.



WTF? In America there are several political parties. But the 2 main big ones are COMPLETELY different. The Republicans and Democrates have very different ideas on things, such as abortion, taxes, schools, military and some other stuff. I mean, look at his past election. John Kerry and George Bush had nothing in common almost. Just about the only that they had in common (just off the top of my head) is their stance on gay marriage. Both of them were against Gays getting "married".