It's quite clear that the system in use in Westminster has had it's day. It is barely democratic in a modern world, and I think we've seen in the last few weeks a 'popular uprising' against having a choice between just two big parties that doesn't represent the diversity of the whole of the UK.
In saying that, the Liberal Democrats have actually lost seats. It seems from my perspective that the electorate have panicked into voting for the big two despite proclaiming their desire to vote for something else. Only a reform of the voting system can give them the representation they seek.
As for Scotland, the seats have not changed since the 2005 election. I've thought about it, and the phrase "treading water" comes to mind. Have we reached a stage where the Westminster election is no longer so important to us, so we're willing to stick with the status quo? Was there just no appetite for change north of the border? Do we now see that London barely touches our lives on a day to day basis?
I'd like to think that we'd reached that stage, but the turnout figures belie that point. If Scotland didn't care much for Westminster any more then the people wouldn't bother themselves to vote.
Perhaps, then, there was a collective scream - as if millions of voices cried out as one and shouted "No Bloody Tories!"
1 comments:
I't strue the elction didn't feel entirely relevant here. So I think you're right, in that it was mostly a keep the Tories out vote.
Post a Comment