The General Election from an Independent Viewpoint
There have been so many promises thrown about by national party leaders that I am prompted to make a promise of my own. It is that come a couple of months’ time, there will be so many broken promises/pledges lying on the floor that we will be tripping over them all, whilst also trying to avoid all the abandoned unmanageable "red lines".
Instead of helping us all to understand the real priorities and likely programmes of their parties if in power, the English main party leadership have left me angry over their distortions, obfuscation and general inability to understand that gimmicks become more transparent with every day that passes.
It is bad enough for David Cameron to wish to appear down to earth by supporting a football team, but the myth is immediately exploded when he then names the wrong one. It is frankly unbelievable. I am no great football follower, but as a Mancunian have always favoured City over United. It is inconceivable that I would ever mix the two up, despite my general disinterest. And when Cameron gets "pumped up" and begins to swear, he just looks pathetic.
Miliband looks equally stupid when trying to throw dirt at the SNP, especially since so many of their policies are similar to his own (and certainly many in his party), but just more clearly stated. “Hell yes!”
Nick Clegg has had a hard time because of his broken tuition fee page pledge. His misdemeanour was no worse than some of Cameron’s broken promises, but somehow they do not seem to be causing Tories quite the same harm. But now Clegg too has completely lost the ability to answer a straight question. As with the others, he's reciting lists of what he theoretically stands for and yet more lists of other people’s intentions (which he cannot possibly know). They are plain boring and generally unconvincing.
“Man of the people" Farage, does not really deserve a mention, since his distortions – or should I say contortions – make those of the others disappear into oblivion. His frank, “person in the street” talking almost invariably sidesteps his City trader roots along with other inconsistencies.
The three female party leaders came out as shining stars when it comes to giving straight answers to even the thorny questions. They’d make a fine coalition, but I do not think the electorate is yet ready for anything quite so radical.
In my view, several important topics have not had an adequate airing, especially the environment and international challenges.
On the local front, in the Basingstoke constituency, my principal theme has to be integrity. Do we choose the retiring MP with either a serious deficit in honesty or record keeping? Or do we choose a hard-working councillor with many years of competent contributions to the decision-making process?
I have never voted Labour in my life before (and may never again), but in the very special circumstances prevailing locally, the only candidate who at this stage can bring back an understanding of right and wrong to the Basingstoke constituency is Paul Harvey. There must be a clear message sent to those who exercise power on our behalf.
I shall be voting for Paul Harvey as our next MP.
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