Remember 97?

[DonnyDoris]

Do you remember 97? I was a politics student at the time and the excitement of the change was unreal!! Does anyone feel that way this time round?

I was a politics student in Manchester at the time. We were delirious with excitement and happiness. I don’t feel the same way because I know how much of an uphill struggle it’s going to be for Labour to retain their position at the next election thanks to 14 years worth of Tory shite to clear up ahead of them.

*That’s assuming they get in tonight of course.

. Because the first thing Blair did was impose tuition fees for university

It's why I didn't vote for him next time- because I had a younger sibling aiming for university though due to parents income dropping due to redundancy they didn't end up paying the fees.

But 1997 I did vote for them - and did so with a lot of hope for a better future.

Well I'm too old to drive round Cheshire in an open top sports car (miles from where I live) like last time looking for signs to pinch.
Friday was a bright sunny day, we thought things could only get better.

I was 6 weeks off my 18th birthday and so frustrated I couldn't vote. And even more frustrated with some of my friends who were 18 and either apathetic or in some cases not registered because theor parents hadn't read the forms properly and thought you didn't register until you turn 18.

My best friend (still a close friend) and I were probably the most politically engaged in our year and both of us still 17 for a few weeks and cross about it.

Oh yes, I remember it as if it was yesterday. The Portillo moment will forever be etched in my mind. It was warm and sunny and we had a BBQ and opened some fizz. I was 37 at the time but the feeling of excitement and things getting better was visceral. It's not the quite the same this time, maybe because I'm now in my late sixties, but I am a life long Labour voter and I hope to god the polls are right for the sake of young people.

I was nearly 15 and remember visiting my grandad just before he died and he was moaning about it and saying they were all useless. Seeing the main party leaders on the television going out to vote.

No. Even though Blair turned out pretty shit in some ways I remember the sheer excitement at the time - it felt like a new era! Let's face it none of the candidates we have now are particularly inspiring. I'm glad we're (hopefully) getting the Tories out but no, zero excitement about the opposition

No. This isn't New Labour and Starmer isn't leading with a shiny, bright and progressive manifesto. Britpop and Girl Power are not about to make a reappearance.

It's looking more positive than the last 14 years, but it's going to be a long, hard slog to deliver meaningful improvements. I'm not sure the electorate has the stomach for what needs doing, and no politician has had the honesty to tell them.

Teacher living in Islington and working in Camden so right in the heart of liberalism and labour a la Blair, Brown, Campbell etc. The atmosphere was electrifying and walking back through the streets of Tufnell Park in the early hours, on a warm night with windows opened, hearing cheer after cheer as the results came in. It was magical, hopeful and exciting…..

I was 13 and has just started to be interested in socialism so I was all excited about it, especially as I lived in an ultra safe Conservative area where the MP was unseated. The election and the Manic Street Preachers inspired me to study political history to post grad level.
I remember huge arguments with my parents about Tony Blair and how my mum didn't like Cherie. She hasn't changed and might have been the only person in the UK who felt sorry for Liz Truss.
The late 90s and early 00s had such promise and magic. I was growing up and felt like the outside world was a happy place. I was desperate to study hard so I could get away from my difficult home life. I'm old now, and a little nervy at whether Labour can get across then line. But I feel the same desperate hope with this election as I felt as a young girl.

Back then, I was blasting A Design For Life in my room, dreaming. Now, I'm singing the same song while giving my little DD dinner, still dreaming. She, for the most thinks I'm bonkers but she'll learn. Keeping the red (pink?!) Flag flying.

Yes, I was a young, idealistic Labour activist in a battleground marginal seat in 97. I still own the ‘Labour win 97’ t-shirt.

For me, this year feels completely different. I sense none of the genuine hope, excitement & idealism of 97. I met Blair a couple of times, he was an incredibly charismatic rock star politician. Starmer isn’t any of those things.

Now, this country is very divided and has serious structural problems which would be very challenging for any government to tackle. Back then, the economy was doing well and Britain was enjoying a good cultural moment with Britpop, Euro 96 etc etc. There was a genuine feel good factor which seems impossible today.

I do. It was my first GE. The sun was shining. I felt like a real grown-up! I stayed up all night to watch the results. I saw Portillo go.

I was in Year 13 and really frustrated as my friends could all vote but I was only 17. I can remember the excitement though, and a strong sense that ‘change was coming.’

This year, I feel hopeful for change, but far less excited. Maybe I’m just less naive, but like a PP said, I feel like we’re voting for ‘not the Tories’ rather than ‘for Labour’.

I'm hoping my cynicism about all of this is purely because I'm older. 97 felt so exciting, the beautifully sunny morning on the Friday was a metaphor for how we all felt. This feels like there's no good result and with the expected Labour victory we've got a fight ahead of us to retain our sex based rights.

Nope. I remember how that ended too.

97 fans died

Yes, sorry I corrected my post at 16:14

No. I'm very worried for women's rights disappearing

No problem, thank you

It was Labour then and it’s Labour today. Have voted Conservative atnd Lib Dem at points but def not Tory after this Covid lies and money making .

I remember it but I was 13 at the time. My family were in a very difficult financial position at the time which radically changed the course of my childhood and I remember my parents being so relieved at Labour getting in because it might mean real change and optimism. I don't feel that way this time around. I want the tories out but I don't especially want any of the main parties in.

I really remember Blair bringing in free museums. Made full use when my DC were little.

Yeah I remember it well. People dancing about to “Things Will Only Get Better” and me thinking that they won’t. And I was right

I remember my ex-H and I staying up for the results and being very excited and hopeful. Don't feel like this at all this time.

Personally 97 went badly downhill after that .