I had a conversation with a group of friends last night. We voted differently between us. We are all pretty liberal types and share a pretty similar view of life. So it was interesting that we had voted differently. What became apparent was none of liked everything about the party we voted for but felt there was merit/danger from the option we choose and the alternatives. When we talked about what we ACTUALLY wanted it was almost universally the same. We had the same fears and worries and the same hopes and aspirations for the future in terms of what the state should do and provide.
I think Nick Clegg and David Cameron were always much more on the same page than people realise. Cameron is a liberal conservative whilst Clegg is a liberal who now after time in government had his idealism tempered by the realities he was left with. I actually think Cameron probably has a harder time dealing with the more right wing elements of his own party than he ever did with the Liberal Democrats.
This cross over and overlap also goes with Labour. Some Conservatives share more in common with some Labour supporters than the right wing of the party.
Would I call my friends scum for how they voted when they think the same way and have the same values and priorities?
I find it ironic that so many of us end up fighting amongst ourselves over a cross on a piece of paper when the reality is we often share more in common with what we want than we don't.
I think the complexities of how we get to where we need to be are made harder by politics getting in the way. I think there are councillors and NHS managers who make decisions designed to make a point or because they are incompetent rather than because they are the best option. They always have the fall back that they can blame it on the government and its cuts. It becomes about point scoring and individuals making a point. Why did some councils axe high paying staff first whilst others axed loads of low paid ones? The different approaches are more revealing than you think.
I do fear what a conservative majority will do, but it is tempered by the realisation that they are not going to be able to do as much as their rhetoric suggests because even with a minority they will struggle to pass things. The Conservative party has a wide range of views and this is going to be very difficult to unify. Lots of MPs will try and make a name for themselves. Especially with Cameron going after this term. Lots of factions are going to spring up. It wouldn't surprise me if there were defections and lots and lots of rebellions.
There is lots of room for the SNP and Labour and yes even the LD to capitalise on this if they are smart and get their houses in order quickly. If they spend too much time staring at their shoes then the Conservatives will run away with things. I think in many respects the ball is MORE in the court of the opposition to direct things than with the government. But that relies on them getting their head out of their arses, listening to the public and working together.
I dunno. I don't think the world has ended. It will be harder for a lot of people, but I equally think there is a lot of people over egging it to make it a bigger drama. That's where they will fail to be effective in drawing support.
The swing voters need to be appealed to. They get turned off and angry at the name calling and the end-of-the-worlding. Engage. Treat them with respect.
They are NOT your enemy. They are your friends.