Thursday 4 June 2009

Party Party Party

I've just been to vote for a London Region representative in the European Parliament. I forgot this morning that there was an election on, but then the Socialist Workers Party tried to hand me a leaflet at the station and I remembered, so I went after work. If you've forgotten, you've still got time, they should be open till 10 and there are never queues for Euro elections.

I always vote, (unless I just forget, which happens), because it seems obvious to me that people with wierd, stupid, or evil ideas always always do vote, except those who are merely otherworldly. Not using my vote for some platform or other that's at least partially sensible makes them look more important than they deserve.

The ballot paper was longer than my arm. I was invited to choose between at least four different Socialist parties, including the Socialist Workers (bizarrely disguised with an anti-EU slogan) and one led by Arthur Scargill (is he still alive?). Five if you count the mainstream Labour party, who still consider themselves socialists under certain conditions. Then there were about six Independents, none of whom I'd heard of, a pro-EU party (really? Is that all you've got?), an anti-EU party with ludicrous adverts showing Winston Churchill on purple backgrounds, and I think four other anti-immigrant or nationalist parties for at least two or three different concepts of 'nation'. There was also a Christian People's Party, whose ad I had noticed; they promised to declare Jesus' lordship in the European Parliament, which didn't strike me as a useful conceptual approach from someone being paid to argue for my interests about fish stocks, competition law, or the Common Agricultural Policy.

Anyway I voted for the mainstream candidate I thought most likely to make an effort, between lunches. Off you go now, don't forget.

7 comments:

ghost said...

Sadly there was no Monster Raving Loony Party Candidate for me to choose this year, so I settled for the Green Party. What I did find strange however is that although I've seen adverts for the Christian Party, I'm not aware of any actual support from mainstream Christianity for it eg no announcement of support from the Archbishop of Canterbury etc (or maybe I haven't been paying enough attention...)

OwenMc said...

I had to check all the candidates on the ballot too, given the length, and while "Lord Such" and Co. were missing, we did have "The Roman Party - Ave!" on the ballot, so the spirit lives on!

O

msHedgehog said...

I didn't spot the Roman Party, they must not have a Londinium office.

I don't think political candidacy is something the religious mainstream goes in for. Our nearest equivalent of the European "Christian Democratic" parties is (or was at one time) actually the Conservative Party. This was not a mainstream Christian group; it's a local outfit.

ghost said...

Ah thanks for the clarification.

"they promised to declare Jesus' lordship in the European Parliament, which didn't strike me as a useful conceptual approach from someone being paid to argue for my interests about fish stocks, competition law, or the Common Agricultural Policy."

To be fair Christ had strong views on fishing
John 21

Competition law
John 2: 14-16

And the Common Agricultural Policy
Mark 2 23-28

But then to be honest it's not Him I'm worried about, but more what a "Christian Party" might take upon themselves to do in God's name *shudder*

Anonymous said...

We were actually in Chipping Campden on your voting day, Ms. H. Sadly, our trip went by so quickly, I didn't even get a chance to email you a hello :-(

msHedgehog said...

Not to worry I knew you would be busy! I hope you had a good time in the country!

Anonymous said...

We had a fabulous time. It is so extraordinarily beautiful!