I am 28 years old, 29 in June and have not voted before in my life. This is due to me feeling i did not previously understand enough about what i was
potentially voting for, and to me an uneducated vote is more dangerous than a wasted one. I am now a mum to be and want my child to grow up in a
better society than the present one. This year however, i feel i have enough understanding of political issues to warrant voting, and also i have some
strong feelings about how this country is being failed by its governments and the lack of acknowledgement and credit the government give the general
public - thinking it knows better, and they have to make 'ALL' descisions on our behalf. What happened to our input??? I thought the reason why
cromwell et all overthrew the monachy was so that the interests of the public was put first and foremost. Am i just misinformed on that score?
Maybe?
The Commonwealth. The next eleven years saw the rule of the Commonwealth (1649-60). Ostensibly Parliament was in control, but the real power lay with
Cromwell and the army. It was just as well that the army was still standing, for Charles' son landed in Scotland, had himself declared Charles II,
and invaded England. He was defeated by Cromwell at Worcester (1650) and forced to hide in a tree to avoid capture, before successfully fleeing to
France.
The Protectorate. Eventually the conflict between Cromwell and Parliament came to a head with Cromwell establishing the Protectorate (1653-58). This
was essentially a monarchy by another name, with Cromwell at its head. His rule was a time of rigid social and religious laws on radical Protestant
lines.
Cromwell's government divided the country into 11 districts, each under a major general, who were responsible not only for tax collection and
justice, but for guarding public morality as well. Church attendance was compulsory. Horse racing and cockfights were banned, plays were prohibited,
gambling dens and brothels were closed, as were many alehouses. Drunkenness and blasphemy were harshly dealt with. People being people, these measures
were extremely unpopular.
Cromwell had a bodyguard of 160 men during the Protectorate. In the end he was just as dictatorial and autocratic as Charles and James had been. He
called Parliament when he needed money and dismissed it when it argued. On Cromwell's death his son, Richard, tried to carry on as Lord Protector
(1658-59), but he was not the forceful character that his father had been.
The results of the Commonwealth and the Protectorate confirmed in the English a hatred of military rule and the severe Puritanism associated with it.
From this point on Parliament opposed Puritanism vigourously.
The Restoration. In 1660 Parliament offered to restore the monarchy if Charles would agree to concessions for religious toleration and a general
amnesty. Charles was not as hard-headed as his father, and he agreed to the proposals. He returned to London on a wave of popular support to be
crowned Charles II (1660-85).
source:
www.britainexpress.com...
Anyway, this year is important to politicians, as next year is the biggie and so they will be looking to gain as many seats as possible. I was hoping
for a peoples party to crawl out of the wood work...but i haven't seen one i agree with on everything.
So far i have received leaflets through my door from the main 3 (should that be 2
) Labour, conservative and Liberal Democrats. Also i have
received leaflets from the following:
BNP (British Nationalist Party)
This Party is renouned for racism in the past, but due to people wanting the interests of british public put first over the EU, it is gaining
popularity. That scares me as i think they will play on this to get into power, then the racism will rear its head again once in.
UKIT (United Kingdom Independance Party)
Is using the same tactics as BNP, i don't tink they are thinking the whole thing through through. Both want out of the EU entirely - i'm not sure
that is such a brilliant idea, will we still be able to go to the court of human rights ect. It will cause a whole number of problems with trading
with other countries in the EU, i don't we wouldn't have the same benefits as we currently do that allow us to trade quite easily and freely with
the EU/EC. What other problems would that cause us?
Green Party
In an ideal world i would choose this party but i think we have a long way to go before we can make a 'green' government work foer all.
So, i am currently thinking conservative, but i would like to hear peoples views on various parties, incase there are things that i do not know about
which may sway me to another party, i don't want an argumentive thread but one with healthy debate highlighting issues that need to be discussed and
critiscised in order for our country to get back on it's feet, pro's and cons of the diffrent parties and ideally away from the control of power and
money greedy politicians and replaced by ones who care about the country and its people - one to make us proud - if that is possible. Hopefuly with
your help my vote will be a well informed one rather than a badly informed one. Your input and opinions is greatly appreciated - ALL opinions, even if
you are not voting, are welcome - i want to see the bigger picture.
[edit on 13-5-2009 by MCoG1980]