Damascus

[liadnan]

I realise now that when I voted LibDem, in my Labour/Respect marginal constituency, what I was really voting for was the "progressive coalition" and that I should now feel angered enough to be turning to the Labour party.

To discover the views of the "progressive coalition" I look to the voting record of Ben Bradshaw, one of those who has explained it all to me by banging on about this again and again: it turns out that it includes strong progressive policies like being strongly for ID Cards; against laws to stop climate change; for the anti-terrorism laws of the last decade, ministerial intervention in inquests and a stricter asylum system; and opposing an inquiry into the Iraq war.

Yes, that's it. And what I really wanted was for the Ministry of Justice to remain in the hands of Jack Straw, someone I believe to have colluded in torture, and for others who I believe lied to take us into a disastrous war to remain in government as well.

It certainly couldn't possibly have been true that not only did I object to all of that, I put a very high priority on those specific issues.

Comments

[chickenfeet]

The trouble is that with the exception of the ID cards the new lot are at least as bad on all the issues you cite. The sad fact is that there isn't a progressive option on offer in the UK. You can pick any of three more or less right of centre parties; all of which pander to racists, are instinctively authoritarian and prone to fight stupid foreign wars any time the Americans ask.

[frankie_ecap]

One of the most fascinating divides I'm seeing is that between those who have 'party' affiliations and those who have 'policy' affiliations. For obvious reasons, the second lot are having more fun than the first lot right now.

[hano]

I'll be delighted if they get rid of ID cards etc. Although the appointment of Teresa May as Home Secretary doesn't bode well from a civil liberties point of view. Worse is Peter Ricketts as head of the the National Security Council. (I'll post about this new NSC when I've got past my exams and when I've got my head round it, I'm not entirely sure it's a good idea.) Still, they're making the right noises so far and I can only hope they folow them up with actions. So I guess I'll give them the benefit of the doubt. I did sort of vote for them after all.
(I did get a little emotional last night, seeing David Cameron walk into Downing Street had that effect on a lot of people I suspect)
I look forward to the Labour Party welcoming you with both arms. Or something :)