Elections
So Boris Johnston is now the Mayor of London. Good on him I say. Personally I don't really have a political affiliation, since I'm incredibly fickle and actually usually just want to unexpected to happen more than anything. Back when Labour first came to power I was all for it, they hadn't been in government for ages, the Conservatives were a mess and it was time for something nice and fresh. Now Labour have been in power for years and frankly it's all got a bit boring. Who cares what the policies are, let's have the Tories back! Or maybe it's time to give the Lib Dems a go, that would certainly be different, and it would certainly shock everyone. Now that would be interesting. Let's face it, politics can be dull a few surprises and a nice change every few years helps to keep everyone on their toes.
As for my local council, that's been full of stuffy old conservatives ever since I can remember. They've closed the public swimming baths (since swimming is actually compulsory for primary aged children I've no idea where they're planning to send them for lessons) they've wrecked the parks and made a mess of nearly everything they've touched. Although we do have a rather good rubbish collection system. Well done, points for everyone there. But it's got a little boring now. Let's have a shake-up next time eh, everyone. Time for some other party to get in. (Well one of the three major parties, let's not go crazy and certainly let's not turn racist) Sadly this constituancy is full of boring old rich people who aren't so rich they can afford to vote labour. This means they don't like change, which is why the Conservatives wipe the floor with the competition every time an election happens (at least half, if not two thirds of the total vote). Oddly enough most of the constituances around us are labour, because this is the north (although I was amused last time to find that Labour lost the Blackpool seat, that certainly added interest!) Frankly though the other parties do themselve no favours around here. The Conservative party take a great deal more interest around election time, they're always outside the polling station making a note of who turns up to vote and they're always lovely and friendly. One of them used to be a Guide leader back when I was a member and I feel bad hoping that they will lose just to shake everyone up a bit, but there you go.
So back to Boris. He's a bit of a fool sometimes, but he wouldn't have got to where he is today if he was actually stupid. No one can act that daft and be stupid at the same time and get into power (you can be one or the other but not both - George Bush, for example, until elected was stupid but seemed normal, after he was in power all bets were off). Also he might make some mistakes (see the Liverpool incident) but he instills confidence that if anyone came up to him and offered him a million pounds to (for example) hide the fact that they were pumping toxic waste into the Thames, he'd tell them where to stick it and then go on to announce the whole thing to the world's press. Incorruptible and slighly strange but with his heart basically in the right place. That's what you want from a politician. I look forward to seeing if it holds up in the real world.
As for my local council, that's been full of stuffy old conservatives ever since I can remember. They've closed the public swimming baths (since swimming is actually compulsory for primary aged children I've no idea where they're planning to send them for lessons) they've wrecked the parks and made a mess of nearly everything they've touched. Although we do have a rather good rubbish collection system. Well done, points for everyone there. But it's got a little boring now. Let's have a shake-up next time eh, everyone. Time for some other party to get in. (Well one of the three major parties, let's not go crazy and certainly let's not turn racist) Sadly this constituancy is full of boring old rich people who aren't so rich they can afford to vote labour. This means they don't like change, which is why the Conservatives wipe the floor with the competition every time an election happens (at least half, if not two thirds of the total vote). Oddly enough most of the constituances around us are labour, because this is the north (although I was amused last time to find that Labour lost the Blackpool seat, that certainly added interest!) Frankly though the other parties do themselve no favours around here. The Conservative party take a great deal more interest around election time, they're always outside the polling station making a note of who turns up to vote and they're always lovely and friendly. One of them used to be a Guide leader back when I was a member and I feel bad hoping that they will lose just to shake everyone up a bit, but there you go.
So back to Boris. He's a bit of a fool sometimes, but he wouldn't have got to where he is today if he was actually stupid. No one can act that daft and be stupid at the same time and get into power (you can be one or the other but not both - George Bush, for example, until elected was stupid but seemed normal, after he was in power all bets were off). Also he might make some mistakes (see the Liverpool incident) but he instills confidence that if anyone came up to him and offered him a million pounds to (for example) hide the fact that they were pumping toxic waste into the Thames, he'd tell them where to stick it and then go on to announce the whole thing to the world's press. Incorruptible and slighly strange but with his heart basically in the right place. That's what you want from a politician. I look forward to seeing if it holds up in the real world.