Is anyone else just completely and utterly done with politics?

[PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock]

I've always been interested in politics from as far back as I can remember. I grew up in a very politically opinionated household. I've been a lifelong Labour voter, my first election being 1997.

But I just can't, now. I'm done. After 14 years of Tory shite, and then this joke of a Labour government. Angela Rayner's scandal was the last straw for me. I won't be voting in 2029 and I doubt I ever will again.

Unless some miraculous new decent party comes along, I just can't vote. And it's not just in the UK either, is it? It seems to be happening everywhere. I feel like we're living in the bloody Twilight Zone.

I agree op. The problems the country are facing just seem massive at the moment and no-one seems to have the leadership skills to lead and address the problems.
I think we need more cross party solutions on the big issues although appreciate it's not going to happen.
We just seem to be drifting into massive issues with young people unemployed, an ever rising state pension age with more and more people on benefits and an unfit for purpose social care system and no-one seems to be doing anything much to address these massive issues.

I’m an ex-Labour activist, and I campaigned for them in a marginal seat last year.

I obviously realised that the Labour government would inherit a total shitshow from the Tories and that starting to turn the country round would take years, not months. But their appalling succession of unforced errors (winter fuel, jobs tax, failed welfare reform, Rayner, Mandelson etc etc) have squandered every scrap of goodwill & patience the country may have given them. Where they have tried to make progress, eg on our relationship with the EU, they have been paralysed by caution & fear when radical reform was needed.

When a party campaigns on a promise of ‘Change’, then delivers what feels like more of the same, they can’t be surprised when people become totally disillusioned very quickly.

I feel a bit like this.

Well you might be done with politics but politics is not done with you regardless of whether you choose to vote or not.

Oh, and regarding the terrible state of the country, I blame the public, not the politicians (so much). We get what we vote for.

Within reason, yes, but the electorate can only vote for the candidates put in front of them.

Yes - I hate them all at this point. I do believe we need to vote, so come election time I will hold my nose and vote for whichever option seems least awful, but other than that I have disengaged completely.

I think the problem is social media/ internet.
Since about 2016 the perception of politics has totally changed and it’s like the world has become hysterical, politicians included.
I am a Labour voter who is feeling really frustrated by certain things they have done ( the farmers and the NI increase mainly) but the trouble is, with information now being both instant and incomplete there’s a constant sense of panic at all times.
My disappointment in Starmer is that I had hoped that the current lot might lead from conviction, stick to their principles and eventually people would start to realise that turning such a big ship takes time and to trust that the country is heading towards stability.
What seems to actually have happened is that the current government are utterly reactive and not leading the way. The media has them running scared from Reform, and they are contributing to this narrative that Reform are the opposition which they were absolutely not a year ago.
I’m not surprised the communications director was sacked.
I wanted grown ups, and it doesn’t feel like that a lot of the time. Partly because of Reeves breakdown, partly because of Raynors behaviour. I actually rated Reeves ( know her a bit) and would have had so much respect for her if she had gone against whatever it was Starmer was insisting she do that she didn’t agree with and resigned, rather than blubbing in the commons.
It’s very frustrating.
I will vote next time but only to keep Farage out, because if he gets in I’m emigrating and I’d rather not have to.

I feel the same @PrincessC0nsuelaBananaHammock

But Corbyn is unelectable. He proved it. May opened the door for him but he couldn’t get through.

The only way that things will get better is if people engage. Now is not the time to ‘spoil ballot papers’ or ‘never vote again’. Farage and his braying mob will only win if we don’t stand up to them. Yes, it’s shocking that he’s not being called out for his racist misogynistic behaviour, but if you don’t want him in power you need to make your voice heard, not throw in the towel. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that the country is in a mess, but Farage is just riling up the masses and pointing the finger at people in small boats and hotels to raise division and hate. If you don’t raise your voice, he’s won.

The only way that things will get better is if people engage. Now is not the time to ‘spoil ballot papers’ or ‘never vote again’. Farage and his braying mob will only win if we don’t stand up to them. Yes, it’s shocking that he’s not being called out for his racist misogynistic behaviour, but if you don’t want him in power you need to make your voice heard, not throw in the towel. Don’t get me wrong, I agree that the country is in a mess, but Farage is just riling up the masses and pointing the finger at people in small boats and hotels to raise division and hate. If you don’t raise your voice, he’s won.