Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. Protection built in.

Meet the Other Phone.
Protection built in.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Chat

Join the discussion and chat with other Mumsnetters about everyday life, relationships and parenting.

Original poster

Help me decide what political party to join

54 replies

54321nought · 05/08/2021 18:44

I am retiring, and want to become more politically active

My priorities are the environment and housing

So you might think Green? But are they actually a serious party with workable policies? And I know they have a transwoman in a woman's position. A very big mark against them. But on the other hand, maybe something best challenged from the inside?

Or libdems? Big on housing and on the environment. I am worried by their policy on legalising cannabis, having worked as a carer and known many trafficked children working as slaves in the UK cannabis industry - I think legalising cannabis will make this issue much worse.

Or labour? but are they too chaotic? too anitsemetic? too big and muddled to actually change direction and do something s=useful?

What are the other options?

OP posts:
Cornettoninja · 06/08/2021 12:37

Re: legalising cannabis isn’t the aim that legislation and regulation would protect people from trafficking? I’ll bow to your lived experience on this one but it stood out to me as something I’ve possibly misunderstood somewhere along the line.

Iusedtobesoooomuchfun · 06/08/2021 12:44

Legalising cannabis would do wonders for drug trafficking and slave labour.

I can't see myself ever voting again to be honest. There's not a single party who believes the things I believe.

Can you start your own party? 🤔

Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 12:44

@Cornettoninja

Re: legalising cannabis isn’t the aim that legislation and regulation would protect people from trafficking? I’ll bow to your lived experience on this one but it stood out to me as something I’ve possibly misunderstood somewhere along the line.
I don't think legalising cannabis would help though, because it would just make it harder to identify the illegally grown cannabis, and prove it was illegal. Legally grown cannabis would be around 10x more expensive, due to paying workers rather than using trafficked child slaves, and paying tax, so I think the illegal market would probably grow, rather than shrink if Cannabis was legalised.
OP posts:

Interested in this thread?

Then you might like threads about this subject:

Politics
Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 12:45

@Iusedtobesoooomuchfun

Legalising cannabis would do wonders for drug trafficking and slave labour.

I can't see myself ever voting again to be honest. There's not a single party who believes the things I believe.

Can you start your own party? 🤔

Start my own party!

Nice!

OP posts:
Iusedtobesoooomuchfun · 06/08/2021 12:48

If cannabis is legalised, the best thing to do is let each household grow 1-2 plants at a time.

Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 12:51

@Iusedtobesoooomuchfun

If cannabis is legalised, the best thing to do is let each household grow 1-2 plants at a time.
but making it available around teenagers is not going to end well, it has a devastating effect on developing brains, lowering IQ and impacting educational outcomes quite severely.

In fact, in 30 years teaching, I would say the biggest single factor lowering educational achievement was use of cannabis.

OP posts:
Hotcuppatea · 06/08/2021 12:51

Unfortunately I am politically homeless too. I refuse to vote for a party that can't say what a woman is and the Tories want to dismantle the public sector. So I reckon that leaves me with Count Binface.

Cornettoninja · 06/08/2021 12:51

@54321nought fair enough. I don’t think there’s any evidence of that happening in American states that have legalised cannabis but I don’t want to derail your thread anymore!

Cornettoninja · 06/08/2021 12:52

Have you got any independents in your area who you align with?

Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 12:53

Honestly, any teacher who has ever tried to stand up in front of a stoned pupil and attempt to impart knowledge and understanding to them will confirm to you that there is no chance! And it doesn't just impact on them while they are actually stoned, either, it lowers their achievement for days after they have smoked, sometimes permanently.

OP posts:
Cherryana · 06/08/2021 12:53

So I have been mooching looking at the Social Democrat Party. I read an article by someone from them in the Daily Fail which led me to them. I haven’t done anything about it because …I am wary of values I actually hold - such as the importance of family - can come across as smug and exclusive to people… I don’t know if I am overthinking it though.

Cherryana · 06/08/2021 12:55

Daily Fail article was about gender and was very well written IMO. I understand that Daily Fail associations are the kiss of death around here!

Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 12:55

[quote Cornettoninja]@54321nought fair enough. I don’t think there’s any evidence of that happening in American states that have legalised cannabis but I don’t want to derail your thread anymore![/quote]
Its not a derailment, its fine, its all helping me decide what is a NO-Cross line, and what I can live with.

I am interested in comparing US states too, particularly whether states that legalise cannabis have lower educational outcomes, but that information is not available as yet. It will be interesting when it is.

I know nothing of slavery and people trafficking in the States, so couldn't say whether cannabis is or ever was a slave based industry there the way it is in the UK

OP posts:
Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 12:56

@Cherryana

So I have been mooching looking at the Social Democrat Party. I read an article by someone from them in the Daily Fail which led me to them. I haven’t done anything about it because …I am wary of values I actually hold - such as the importance of family - can come across as smug and exclusive to people… I don’t know if I am overthinking it though.
Very interesting, I will look into this
OP posts:
Gibbonsgibbonsgibbons · 06/08/2021 12:57

The SDP know what a woman is but I dont know how the rest of their policies align with yours.

MistySkiesAfterRain · 06/08/2021 12:58

The charity Shelter have just realigned themselves to say enough is enough and make more demands on government. I thought it was quite powerful and about bloody time the government do something.

Iusedtobesoooomuchfun · 06/08/2021 12:58

@54321nought

Honestly, any teacher who has ever tried to stand up in front of a stoned pupil and attempt to impart knowledge and understanding to them will confirm to you that there is no chance! And it doesn't just impact on them while they are actually stoned, either, it lowers their achievement for days after they have smoked, sometimes permanently.
I've smoked cannabis for 17 years. Since I was 15. More regularly as an adult. Trust me I know how it works!
Elys3 · 06/08/2021 13:02

Serving on your parish, district or city council is a good call and probably a good way to influence. Otherwise watching with interest as I am also politically homeless.

Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 13:02

Then you know what I am talking about!

OP posts:
Iusedtobesoooomuchfun · 06/08/2021 13:04

@54321nought

Then you know what I am talking about!
Not to the degree you do though. I'm just 1 person. You've obviously taught loads to stoned children in your time.

I have 11 GCSEs, 2 AsLevels, Betec and a BAHonours. I obviously was able to take in the knowledge whilst blazed!

Iusedtobesoooomuchfun · 06/08/2021 13:05

What I'm saying is... It's quite clear I'm the exception to the rule!

Regularsizedrudy · 06/08/2021 13:34

I am just amazed that someone can get to retirement age with no particular political leaning. What a nice life you must have had to be able to be a bystander in issues that are life and death for others.

Hen2018 · 06/08/2021 13:38

I’ve been a Labour Party member for over 20 years. To be honest, being a party member is meaningless, apart from receiving (far too) many emails and occasionally getting to vote in the new party leader.

My brother is a parish councillor and that is much more interesting!

I do enjoy politics and get my fix by working for the local elections team (district council) by working on voting day as a poll clerk, counting votes or delivering poll cards. I’ve done this since I was 21 and you get to catch up with old friends at each election. (They tend to send you to the same polling station). You also get to have a chat with the candidates and their hangers on as they go round each area.

Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 13:41

@Regularsizedrudy

I am just amazed that someone can get to retirement age with no particular political leaning. What a nice life you must have had to be able to be a bystander in issues that are life and death for others.
What makes you think I am a bystander?

I would hazard a guess that I am far more socially active and involved than you are.

My involvement has tended to be around these two single issues though, housing and the environment.

have never trusted any political party, or fully understood exactly what to expect from them. However, now I have more time (or will do shortly) I want to hopefully direct my energies in a more effective way, and possibly that means through a political party.

OP posts:
Original poster
54321nought · 06/08/2021 13:42

@Hen2018

I’ve been a Labour Party member for over 20 years. To be honest, being a party member is meaningless, apart from receiving (far too) many emails and occasionally getting to vote in the new party leader.

My brother is a parish councillor and that is much more interesting!

I do enjoy politics and get my fix by working for the local elections team (district council) by working on voting day as a poll clerk, counting votes or delivering poll cards. I’ve done this since I was 21 and you get to catch up with old friends at each election. (They tend to send you to the same polling station). You also get to have a chat with the candidates and their hangers on as they go round each area.

Interesting and helpful!
OP posts: