To be thoroughly fed up with politicians?

[needastrongone]

I listened to PMQ's on Wednesday. I usually do, as it's on Radio 5 as I drive home from work. No one will answer a direct question. They trade insults and, quite frankly to me anyway, sound pathetic and ridiculous. Both sides.

The Tories blame Labour for all that is wrong with Britain. Labour blame the Tories for all that is wrong with Britain. Lib Dem try to be all things to all people as they want to remain in coalition. UKIP sound like idiots half the time. There's others.

I haven't listened to a mature, rounded debate in ages, they all seem to want to deal the first blow. This will worsen no doubt the closer we get to May.

I don't want another party to come into power and change for change sake. I am sure most areas of our life would benefit from some stability instead of political tinkering to 'leave a mark'.

I have absolutely no idea who I shall vote for in just a few weeks time. None. I just feel kind of weary, rather than enthused.

voteforpolicies.org.uk/ start here

and if it suggests UKIP - don't

I feel exactly the same. All the politicians seem to be thinking of short term, often trivial, fixes. What I would like is some vision of the long-term future and a plan for how we are going to get there.

PMQs is totally ridiculous. It makes my blood boil to listen to DC not answering a single question. It's an absolute disgrace.

Did it used to be better? Under Blair? Major?

Glad I am not the only one, I felt a bit mad even posting.

Blair I think was a master at PMQ's, which is in no way a reflection of my feelings towards him.

I won't be voting UKIP

PMQ's have always been the same, your the centric vote that the main parties are chasing and you can see that you can't split them with a fag paper.

Unfortunetly it is going to get worse in the run up to May, and there will be plenty of people trying to be superior and telling you that you shouldn't vote for x and y.

I'm getting tired of this populist bollocks myself to be honest, so YANBU

Conferencepear, the problem is that the general population will not vote for long term policies and which ever party does commit to long term issue will be committing political suicide.

Many years ago, it was about policies. The political parties would put forward their policies, have a bit of a snipe at each other, but generally tell the electorate how much better off they would be if they voted for the party in question.

Nowadays, elections seem to be far more concerned with scaring the electorate with what will happen if they are silly enough to vote for the other party. Policies seem to have gone out of the window: they're barely mentioned - and the looks and personality of the Party Leader has gained far too much importance.

I wish voters were canny enough to delve into the Party policies and to ignore the constant discussion over whether Cameron is more vote-friendly than Milliband etc.. To ignore Clegg's looks and Farage's charisma.

I hate the questions that are not questions just put in to flag up some 'good news' usually prefaced with "Does my Right Honourable Friend agree with me that....."

It's all theatre but I don't think it's good theatre, it needs reforming.

I agree with other posters that there is too much short term thinking, it's wasteful, disruptive and expensive - would the electorate really not welcome better long term thinking and planning?

Also, people are always expressing their frustration at politicians for not actually answering questions, or replying in scripted party line sound bites but the politicians continue to do this, I often wonder if part of the appeal around Nigel Farage is because he doesn't do that.

I am the central vote. I have voted all colours, from green to yellow to red. I will vote in May, I just feel quite negative about it, which is rather sad.

Farage says a lot of things that I completely disagree with. But he does say things I suspect a certain part of the electorate agree with and is 'brave' enough to do so. Add in the fact the media pick up and scrutinise him to the nth degree too.

Boris is all an act too, designed to appeal.

I am going to look at ghostly's link.

UKIP sound like idiots half the time.

Only half?

Actually I think what you're fed up with is the way politics operates, rather than the politicians themselves. Have you had any contact with your local MP or hte other candidates in your area?

I have had contact with the current in post MP and the previous one. Different colours. Both I have to say, excellent local politicians who work hard for their constituents. So red you do have a point, as you have reminded me of this very fact. It makes it harder though in a way as both were as good as each other on making a difference locally.

Yes, it's the way politics operate on the big stage to a degree.