So, it’s finally here! It’s General Election Day in the UK!
This is just a brief blog post to encourage you to get out and vote. People died to get you your vote and it is incredibly important to make your voice heard.
Personal bit
I’m still unsure of who to vote for. Let me just say this: I’m a Christian, and believe me that doesn’t make it easier! We’ve done a series on Politics and Religion at our church over the past few weeks – asking what the Bible says about different policies and that kind of thing – and I’m just as conflicted now as I was before, but in a different way. If nothing else it has helped me to focus on looking at the policies rather than just looking at the leadership abilities of a prospective Prime Minister. Personal leadership skills are, of course, important, particularly in foreign policy matters, but of paramount importance at this time (in my opinion) are the policies on the economy, social care/welfare and the NHS. I’m in the awkward position of seeing policies in all the major parties that are attractive, while at the same time seeing policies in those same parties that I find abhorrent. I’m firmly on the side of wanting to see real social change in our country. But, and this is a big But, we need a strong economy in order to support social change. I’m sure, if you’ve been paying attention to what the parties have been saying recently, you can see my problem. Conservative or Labour? It’s just a toss-up at the moment. I’m also faced with the fact that I live in a strong Conservative constituency so it’s unlikely my vote will make much of an impact anyway – but that won’t stop me voting!
I guess I’ll just have to make up my mind by the time the polls close!
But, Mike… What does this have to do with the Raspberry Pi?
Absolutely nothing, on the face of it. I just want to encourage those who have a say to make themselves heard.
Normal service will be resumed later!
Have you checked out the quiz at https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/ ? It’ll help you decide. Although; I did it and got an even 33%, 3 way split!
I’ve done a few quizzes. Keep getting a mixture of Labour/Green/UKIP but I don’t trust any of them with the economy. Argh!
Stay in the EU and we gradually lose control of the economy; and, because we have no control of our borders the pressure on the NHS and building land becomes impossible, and the welfare state _will_not_survive_.
The ECHR prevents us deporting any criminal, however heinous, if his human rights might be infringed, no matter how many lives he personally has destroyed, so we have to spend more of our taxpayers money supporting him.
If you want control of the economy and a funded NHS, there is only one party that you can vote for. UKIP.
Please keep religion and politics well separated.
The main problem is that the polititians seem to have no idea what life for the “normal” person is like and so make policies that are – as a consequence – irreal.
The NHS seems to be on the line – but cutting money there or worse putting services in the private sector would be harmful for all. Perhaps an increase in NHS contributions?
I’ll be interesting to see how the election goes – however coalitions are not good since this is politics by compromise and that is weak.
I agree that politics and religion should be separated on a constitutional basis. But, as a Christian it has to inform my choices, and this counts as one of them.
The NHS seems to be a thing that Labour wants to fight on, but the Tories are also saying they’ll plough money into it, so I think it’s a bit of a red herring.
Decisions, decisions…
But neither of the two EU-parties are willing to discuss the fact that it is now the International Health Service. We are importing low paid unskilled workers at the rate of a new Birmingham every year, and there is _nothing_ we can do about it while we remain in the EU.
Cameron’s referendum is a dishonest lie to gain votes. Only UKIP will deliver one, if they get sufficient influence in Parliament.