The question is, who will win? Will it be Labour? (the current government), will it be The Conservative Party? (the main opposition party), and how significant will the role of the Liberal Democrats be? (traditionally not considered to be the main opposition but are included in the list of the main political contenders in British politics - there are three).
My view (and since you are visiting my blog, you must care on some level what that is!), is this. Many people (or enough that makes a fourth term look unlikely) feel they have had their full dose of Labour and are ready for change - they have been in government since 1997 (in the UK there is no maximum term in office for a party). Few people (or few enough people who'd vote for them because they felt they were the better party) actually want the Conservatives to win because they are unlikely to deliver real change and improvement, along with much disillusionment still remaining in the mind of the electorate from their previous time in government. So that leaves us with the Lib Dems....I think this is the party most people would feel the greatest connection to (if the modern day electorate feel any positive connection to the parties), but are still unlikely to vote for them (in numbers required to give a victory) due to the fact that whilst the Lib Dems are classed as the third main party, in reality many people regard the election as a two horse race, and people would not vote for them because they would be in too much doubt that their fellow electorates would do the same. So basically, not enough people will plan to vote for Labour (because they don't want them), not enough will plan to vote for the Conservaties (because they don't want them), not enough will plan to vote for the Lib Dems (because they don't think enough will, and the psyche as I say remains that this is a two horse race) - which is a real shame as I think now, more than ever, it would be healthier if they were in real contention - maybe they are. What result all this will create, well we'll have to wait and see.
As for voting. Voting is for me a must and this week, I will be checking my voting status is up to date*. I believe very strongly in exercising my right to vote. When I vote, I vote for three reasons.
1. I can. Many people in many countries cannot and whilst people could argue for hours over whether there is much point nowadays when "ultimately they're all the same and won't do anything once in (government)", I feel very lucky that I can choose, in complete freedom who I feel best suited to lead my country and do the best (or least worst perhaps!) for me.
2. My grandparents. I can vote because of their sacrifices in WWII and previous wars. I should honour that.
3. Aside from the history, rights and freedom, I still believe it's important to have a voice when invited to.
So, who will I be voting for? Well....I have a democratic right to privacy and not to say. At this stage however, I can honestly say I am undecided. I like the idea of a victory by the Official Monster Raving Loony Party, but it's rather unlikely - and they're not standing in my area anyway!
Happy voting people!
* = I called my local voting authority and was told I'm still up to date and able to vote! Great!
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