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Great for you that you're in a solid labour constituency so can say things like that.
However, both May and Johnson's election success shows that these things aren't set and can change very quickly.
If Starmer gets:
- a moderate majority of seats
- incredibly low popular vote
And Reform get: - a small number or Tory of Old Labour seats
- relatively large number of votes
What do you think that will do to Labour's plans over the next 5yrs?
The only way we will get any meaningful change in this country is an undisputable thumping majority. That Starmer is trying to appeal to the majority shouldn't be a reason for people to throw their toys out the pram, it is democracy and concensus politics in action.
After the last election we were looking at a Conservative government in perpetuity. The level of utter complacency from certain quarters of this forum staggers me.
- a moderate majority of seats
hugo7-
Tactical voting to make sure the local Tory/Reform candidate doesn't win is one thing, but the suggestion that Starmer needs a huge popular vote to enact policies is completely different.
I'm happy to do the first, but I'm actively against the latter.
The real complacency is the lack of thinking about what happens in 5 years time when people's living standards haven't changed because Labour have completely boxed themselves in over tax and spending. Sure, Labour are going to win this election, but the left (or even centre left) are losing in the long run.
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Great for you that you're in a solid labour constituency so can say things like that.
I would say it anyway, and act on it and vote for what I want anyway.
For me, I am reduced to be a single issue voter... the turkey who does not want to vote for Christmas.
The Tories are a vote for Christmas, and Labour have committed, on the single issue I care about, to also be a vote for Christmas.
I'll vote for my survival, and because Christmas is going to come anyway I'll then do what I can to survive despite it.
What I won't do is use my vote to further empower a "we have a mandate to make Christmas happen"... I'm a turkey, and won't vote for Christmas.
That there may be so many secondary factors that say "oh but Labour are better than the Tories in this way" is a moot point, why would I vote against my own existence? All other considerations are secondary.
On my second issue... Labour are still virtually indistinguishable from the Tories... so even if I were at peace with the first issue (and I am far from at peace with it), then the second is also an existential issue and still represents turkeys voting for Christmas.
It really doesn't matter to me whether we have a Labour or Tory govt when on the biggest issues of my life I cannot tell them apart.
I used to argue the differences vociferously, and clearly I acted, campaigned, and fought for those differences, but time passes and I am older, and the single issue is fundamental to me and cannot be ignored, and Labour have not committed to do anything here, well... they have, they've committed to do nothing and accept the Tory position, and I won't vote for Christmas.
JamesQGM
Velocio
Probably reflects my total lack of belief and disillusionment at Labour TBH.
In my seat they've had more than 50% of the vote forever, it looks like that will increase significantly... I know quite a few friends in Liverpool, Bristol, other parts of London, etc that are in similar positions, none of us voting Labour this time round.
I will likely never vote for them again, not even if it lets a Tory govt in.