This is not the election for protest votes, or for sitting things out. Not when there's a chance of seeing the LibDems overtake the Tories in seat count and wind up as the official Opposition.
Demoting the Tories to third might wipe them out as a political force. It would certainly blunt their voices over the next few years.
Several of the most recent polls suggest this possibility is within reach, as they have the LibDems within 2 or 3 seats of the Tories. We desperately need tactical voting to get over the line
Our choices are stark:
A) 5 long years of the Tories in Opposition, pushing a hate-filled agenda of culture wars and immigrant-bashing
B) The LibDems in Opposition, holding Labour to account on the issues that matter, with the Tories fuming, impotent, on the back benches.
There is no option C. No other parties are in contention at this high level. One of the above two scenarios will be our situation come 5 July.
If the Tories are in Opposition as the 2nd largest party, they'll get:
- 6 questions a week at PMQs
- Guaranteed coverage from media outlets with "due impartiality" requirements
- 17 Opposition Days to push their agenda and hold votes
- Almost £1 million in extra Short Money
- First right to reply to King's Speech and Budget
- Privy council membership for senior figures
- Office of the Leader of the Opposition with extra resources
But they won't get any of those benefits if the LibDems come second instead!
Without even the powers granted by being the Opposition, the Tories would see their clout evaporate. No guaranteed media coverage. No loud voice. No seat at the table. Donors and supporters would flee in droves
It might take a while for the Tory party to die, but they'd be walking dead
If the LibDems were the Opposition, that would end the conspiracy of silence on Brexit. It would be in their interest to talk about it, given the mood of the country. And they would have the platform to do so, and to get noticed.
Single market & customs union membership, even rejoining the EU, would be back on the table. Not immediately. Of course not. But we would be able to start having the critical conversations both main parties have been dodging until now.
PR too would be up for discussion. All sorts of things would. They wouldn't be mired in the sort of hate rhetoric guaranteed to accompany a Tory Opposition.
But none of this will happen without intense pragmatism.
Angry? Jaded? Frustrated? Fed up with politics? Take a deep, deep breath and park your feelings at the door. Set all other considerations aside and focus on the real prize this election. We'll never get another chance to wipe the Tories out.
All the stars have lined up:
- Widespread fury at 14 years of misrule
- Endless scandals, from PPE to Brexit mismanagement to Partygate
- Reform UK offering a protest vote outlet to RW voters who would never consider the LibDems, Greens or Labour
- Resurgent LibDems
And the one factor that makes this election cycle an unbeatable opportunity: a dire Tory election campaign, maybe the worst in their history. D-Day, Sky TV, inside bets on the election date - you name it, they've blown it. Gaffe after gaffe after gaffe.
We have to pounce. To try, as hard as we can. If we fail, so be it. But at least we will be able to say we tried.
HOW TO VOTE TACTICALLY
- Tories 1st or 2nd in seat: Vote for the party most likely to beat the Tories.
- Tories 3rd or lower in seat: Vote LibDem if they’re in the top 2. Vote for whichever party you like if they’re not.
An election is won locally, regardless of national polls. Focus on the situation in your area. If you're not sure what the best choice of vote is in your are, then Google "stop the Tories" and click on the obvious site. It will give you the most up to date tactical voting recommendation for your constituency, based on the latest polls and other local factors.
Eyes on the prize. Hold your nose. Vote tactically, and rally others to do the same. If we work together, tomorrow need not be like today.