Unlike Eurovision and Bucks Fizz... it is a bit more complicated making your mind up who to support to win the General election. How can this be judged and who will receive 'null points'?
Well instead of Eurovision we can tune in tomorrow night for two hours of live Election Leadership Debate on ITV and the contestants are: NOT Bucks Fizz... but
David Cameron (Conservative), Ed Miliband (Labour), Nick Clegg (Lib Dems), Nigel Farage (Ukip), Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party), Leanne Wood (Plaid Cymru) and Natalie Bennett (Green Party).
Will this influence people to decide which way they will vote? The 'leaders' of the main parties will be talking about their policies and debate questions put to them by members of the public, so we will probably see performances of a lifetime from most in this digital Hustings.
Can there be be any outright winners in Parliament? Doesn't look like that at the moment. In fact, whichever party does gain the most seats, it's likely they will still have to buddy up with others to have a big enough combined majority in the House of Commons. Is it right for parties to ally themselves with others, where their policies and 'philosophy' are quite different? Also, is it right to 'horse trade' with others simply to be the majority party in power? (Remember this question and look for the answer, if you watch the telly debate).
Anyway, the really important question people ask is how will all of this personally affect ME? That is - What will the bargaining at political level really mean for me, my family and my life. Again, this is difficult to decide, as every day seemingly new potential tax cut and various benefits and policies are announced by the big parties, although often without the explanation of how they will be paid for.
The culture of party politics is such that members most often have to vote the way they are told to by their parties. They often have to toe a party line regardless of what they or their constituents may feel about really important issues (that is if constituents are actually even asked).
It's time for a change! We have the internet and people can see what goes on for themselves now and won't be taken in by old fashioned power games.
I have decided that for me, the best way to make the decision of who to vote for will be to find out about my local candidates and see what they will do for me and mine. Our present Wiltshire Councillor, Simon Killane has the best track record in my view and you can read all about it on his website www.thepeoplesmp.com
Lastly, I will be booking my place at my local Hustings, so I can watch and listen to what they are saying in the flesh and also to let their record speak for them. That's how I will be Making My Mind Up!
Local Hustings are:
14th April Cricklade
23rd April Calne
24th April Malmesbury Abbey
Well instead of Eurovision we can tune in tomorrow night for two hours of live Election Leadership Debate on ITV and the contestants are: NOT Bucks Fizz... but
David Cameron (Conservative), Ed Miliband (Labour), Nick Clegg (Lib Dems), Nigel Farage (Ukip), Nicola Sturgeon (Scottish National Party), Leanne Wood (Plaid Cymru) and Natalie Bennett (Green Party).
Will this influence people to decide which way they will vote? The 'leaders' of the main parties will be talking about their policies and debate questions put to them by members of the public, so we will probably see performances of a lifetime from most in this digital Hustings.
Can there be be any outright winners in Parliament? Doesn't look like that at the moment. In fact, whichever party does gain the most seats, it's likely they will still have to buddy up with others to have a big enough combined majority in the House of Commons. Is it right for parties to ally themselves with others, where their policies and 'philosophy' are quite different? Also, is it right to 'horse trade' with others simply to be the majority party in power? (Remember this question and look for the answer, if you watch the telly debate).
Anyway, the really important question people ask is how will all of this personally affect ME? That is - What will the bargaining at political level really mean for me, my family and my life. Again, this is difficult to decide, as every day seemingly new potential tax cut and various benefits and policies are announced by the big parties, although often without the explanation of how they will be paid for.
The culture of party politics is such that members most often have to vote the way they are told to by their parties. They often have to toe a party line regardless of what they or their constituents may feel about really important issues (that is if constituents are actually even asked).
It's time for a change! We have the internet and people can see what goes on for themselves now and won't be taken in by old fashioned power games.
I have decided that for me, the best way to make the decision of who to vote for will be to find out about my local candidates and see what they will do for me and mine. Our present Wiltshire Councillor, Simon Killane has the best track record in my view and you can read all about it on his website www.thepeoplesmp.com
Lastly, I will be booking my place at my local Hustings, so I can watch and listen to what they are saying in the flesh and also to let their record speak for them. That's how I will be Making My Mind Up!
Local Hustings are:
14th April Cricklade
23rd April Calne
24th April Malmesbury Abbey