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Original poster

OK, so we all hate Blair. Election tomorrow - who would you vote for and why?

118 replies

Tinker · 29/01/2004 10:34

I find this a really tricky one atm.

Blair lacks credibility, has let down the name of the Labour party. It's inconceivable that I could vote tory so that leaves Charles Kennedy. Have the Lib Dems got any real chance of ever gaining a majority.

Not voting not an option for me, get too emotional about the 'women died for my right to vote' argument.

Anyone want to discuss?

OP posts:
lydialemon · 29/01/2004 14:19

No political party is going to please everyone, and whoever's in charge will make unpopular decisions, thats just the way it is. I don't agree with everything that New Labour have done since they came into power (and I wish they were still 'old' ), but I'm definitely happier under them than the previous administration.

Its pointless to bash Blair, he's the leader of a democratic government - he doesn't sit there and make it all up himself! I'll be voting Labour next time as they are the closest to represent my views. The only real alternative would be to stand myself and I don't have the passion or the inclination to do that.

Hats off to the power-hungary meglomaniacs who do!

Incidently, I met Blair a long time ago, pre-leadership, and I thought he was lovely, I told DH that he should be leader and then we'd win, but he had just given me a bottle of whiskey!

eddm · 29/01/2004 14:39

Take your point Lydia but I think what winds a lot of people up is that Tony isn't democratic and does 'sit there and make it all up' as you put it (with a cabal of unelected advisers) rather than go through proper policy-making fora that would involve our elected representatives...

marthamoo · 29/01/2004 14:43

I'd vote for Jimjams, she sounds clever and sensible - doubt she'd want the job though

aloha · 29/01/2004 14:46

Oh, I hate Blair. He's a big fat liar, hypocrite, and i want to kick the TV in whenever I see the creep simpering in the US like a girl invited to the prom by the captain of the football team. Aaaaargh! And if you can judge a man by the company he keeps, well, his bessie mates are Mandelson and Campbell. Enough said.
Libdem, I think. Oh dear.

spacemonkey · 29/01/2004 14:59

aloha - your description of TB is hilarious

Jimjams · 29/01/2004 15:18

lol marthammo - I'm currently trying to whip up my local MP (she of the yes woman fame) into doing something about f*** SALT. She has now been quoted in the local paper as saying she is "looking into it". I do sometimes think if you want a job done properly you should do it yourself, but all the politicians I've come across are low life little shits (and that includes my friends who have stood as Tory (gah) candidates). Interested in one thing- power- and feeling powerful.

I know the NHS has supposedly had a load of cash chucked into it, but from talking to our NHS manager neighbour a great deal of it seems to have been wasted. As a frequent attempted user of the NHS I can say none of the extra cash has improved services at all. And its all very well saying we have to be patient to see change but that doesn't help my son learn to talk one little bit. Doesn't alter any of the otehr horror stories I'be heard either.

Nope TB is a dangerous individual. Lots of powerful men are dangerous as they are surrounded by yes men. TB doesn't need yes men - he has so much belief in himself I don't think it ever occurs to him that he could be wrong. Couple his christianity with Bush's and I am very very scared.

And Aloha- I laughed out loud- great description.

SecondhandRose · 29/01/2004 16:01

WOW WEEEEEEEEEE. I can't believe that Mumsnetters can have a lovely conversation about something so fragile without all laying into each other. Two years ago it was unheard of, perhaps some of our more militant members are no longer with us. Well done everyone.

You don't want to hear my views cos then you will all start shouting!
x

prufrock · 29/01/2004 17:15

I don't know who to vote for.
Couldn't possibly bring myself to vote Tory. Maybe (but only just very slightly maybe) could have done if Clarke had stood and become leader, but can't support their irrational Europhobia and abhorent xenophobia (and I remember growing up in a mining village during the Thatcher years)

Can't really do Lib Dem either - whilst I liekteh majority of their policies I agree with bk taht they are totaly misguided on tax. Apart from the fact that they would take lots more money from e personally, I just don't think that their overall strategy would be revenue enhancing.

And Tony Blair has completely turned me off the Labour party. Talk about the corrupting influence of absolute power. I too can remember being so hopeful in 97, and to start off with I though he did a decent job. But I do think he's lied over Iraq (I actually thought we should get rid of Saddam, but because of his treatment of Kurds and his own people - couldn't understand why they had to invent WMD threat to justify war) And totally disagree with Labours HE policy (scarily found myself agreeing with Howard on Q time the other week).

Couldn't we all do what tehy did in Brewsters millions and vote for "none of the above"

Jimjams · 29/01/2004 17:32

agree with all of that prufrock. It was weird on Question Time last week wasn't it. MH and the dj guy seemed to be best buddies by the end. Very very weird.

zebra · 29/01/2004 18:01

Enid, I still think Blair is ok, too, moreover DH & I are both big fans of Gordon Brown. Fat lot it matters because I'm a foreigner & don't get to vote here, but DH may vote Labour to keep Brown in power.
& No, I'm not going to justify it, just didn't want Enid to think she was alone.

ks · 29/01/2004 18:11

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

zebra · 29/01/2004 18:14

When MH was Home Secretary he came across as an absolute bigot against foreigners, which I can't forgive. Then he shafted Anne Widdecombe (not that I love her, but he did act deplorably). MH will dig himself a hole with his slimey, can't be bothered with facts nature, sooner or later.

aloha · 29/01/2004 18:43

Dinner? Charles Kennedy, easy. Get the wine flowing and it would be great fun. I couldn't eat facing Blair. The temptation to punch him would be too great. Howard? Slimy.

Original poster
Tinker · 29/01/2004 18:49

MH's only redeeminmg feature is that he changed his mind on hanging.

SecondhandRose - things have stayed civilised because we're, more or less, agreeing. Is someone posted that they were voting tory because they want huge tax cuts and don't see why they should fund those benefit scroungers, things may ge a bit more heated

zebra - the thread question has a 'why' in it, hence why Enid was asked why she liked Blair. She wasn't being got at.

Dinner party? Ken Clarke would be the best surely. Know he's not a leader but think you'd have a damn good time with him

OP posts:
aloha · 29/01/2004 18:56

Oh, if we could have anyone, then Tony Benn seems a lamb...but are any politicians actually funny? One of the mad Labour rebels or a Tory grandee with nothing to lose (like Nicholas Soames) are the only politicians I can imagine having the courage to have a laugh. The rest are clones.

zebra · 29/01/2004 18:57

Tinker, I didn't think you guys were having a go at Enid. But she did ask "Am I the only one?"

Original poster
Tinker · 29/01/2004 19:02

Oh good This thread is SO civilsed.

Always had a bit of a thing for Tony Banks, think he IS funny. Was very pleased that my daughter was born on his birthday,

OP posts:
aloha · 29/01/2004 19:05

All the Libdems I've met (on radio late night chat shows pre ds) have been sweeties. I really like Simon Hughes - a thoroughly good and decent man and campaigner. But for dinner...um...

prufrock · 29/01/2004 19:32

For dinner it would have to be Boris Johnson. Totally disagree with most of teh crap he spouts, but do think he's remarkably intelligent and witty

bossykate · 29/01/2004 19:43

prufrock, have to say boris's turbo charged iq has never been apparent to me!

dinner - charles kennedy, deffo, of the leaders. otherwise, hmmm... john major is supposed to be charming in real life... tony benn, yes, i see that... i bet it would be quite exciting to meet alistair campbell...

prufrock · 29/01/2004 19:47

Oh it takes somebody really really intelligent to look that buffonish. JM - are you crazy? He tucks his shirt into his underpants!

bunny2 · 29/01/2004 19:56

I love Boris, definately be my dinner date. For the election I'll probably vote Tory, I dont like the Labour party, a bunch of hypocrites, like lots of people who vote for them. IMO (and I may be alone here) Thatcher was the last decent leader this country has had and Labour have brought us to our knees yet again.

stupidgirl · 29/01/2004 20:03

Haven't finished reading this thread, but I wanted to pick up one point - I haven't voted for the previous 2 elections for which I have been eligable (local and general). Not because I 'couldn't be bothered. I am frequently told that I am wasting my vote but I don't see it that way. AFAIC I am wasting my vote if I vote for someone I don't believe in. I am not just going to vote for the sake of it - go and put a tick in a box - any box - just to have done it. This is something I feel quite strongly about. It is not apathy, just dissatisfaction with the options open.

eddm · 29/01/2004 20:12

I hate to say this, because I was dandled on the knee of people who had fought for the right to vote as a child, but Stupidgirl has a point. I sometimes think if there was a 'none of the above' option on the ballot that would come top (sadly).

eddm · 29/01/2004 20:13

Muddled syntax - obviously I was a child being dandled on the knees of people who had fought for the right to vote. Not that they'd fought for the franchise to be extended to kids!