Unlike last time, when I suggested you should vote to keep the Conservatives out, this time I'm asking people to vote to keep UKIP out, the most uninformed, racist, sexist and corrupt bunch of despots ever to call themselves a political party. And where I live now, they are no longer a joke.
OK, now I've got my vitriol out of the way, I will try to explain why, due to my own change in circumstances since 2010, I'm so concerned about UKIP and all it means.
I am essentially a European Social Democrat. I believe in paying taxes and in return we all get good health, equal chances for education, social justice, a transport infrastructure, and security. But most importantly, I believe that being part of the European Community is the ONLY way Britain has a cat-in-hell's change of surviving economically and socially. And as recently reported, British DNA is essentially European http://bit.ly/eudna
Prior to the last general election, I lived in Cardiff and took for granted the pink background of Welsh politics, where Social Democracy seemed to be alive, and Europe not an issue. But now I live in a place that is traditionally blue tinted with some yellow and red fringes; rural farming and fishing villages and small towns as opposed to city and industry of Wales. This I accepted as I chose to live here. Europe has always been an issue here. But worryingly, this is now threatening to become purple tinted because of the real and tangible support for UKIP. There are actually Councillors of that hue around here! Racism and sexism added to Anti-EU.
The traditional battle ground in these regions was between Conservatives and Liberals. Cities return some Labour MPs, but it was historically one of the strongholds of the Liberals. Not so anymore. They have truly screwed it by going into coalition. For this Election Devon has ended up with traditional dyed in the wool Conservatives, struggling Liberal Democrats, pockets of Labour and a resurgent Green Party. But most of all, we have a major propaganda assault by UKIP and a perceptible move towards them in the countryside. And then of course, there is the apathy. I think Russell Brand is engaging, but very wrong to suggest that apathy is a way forward. Many people have died to give us the right to vote, so we must use that right.
This all resulted in my joining the Green Party. I too was swept along by the bandwagon, as there wasn't really a Labour Party worth joining. And it seemed promising. And it still may be. Also, as a Dutchman, at times I have felt very uncomfortable in my surroundings with the actively voiced racism and anti-EU stance. So I was looking for political empathy. My vote is essentially promised.
For me, the issues this election are Health, Education, Housing, Tax evasion, Energy, Transport and Europe. I accept that for many, the first six issues are more likely to be key and the latter a dirty word. So I'd like to clean it up.
Europe is essential to the UK's survival, economically and socially. Yes, there are some pretty stupid rules and regulations that come to hound us, but the same can be said for the UK government. The Eurosceptics are keen to point out the loss of sovereignty to Europe and how it controls us. But the House of Lords have censured the Government for burying reports that show clearly this is not the case http://bit.ly/nointerference. And as regards immigration, Europeans from all member nations keep our Health Service running, do our dirty jobs and have given us a few lessons in efficiency. They are not taking jobs away, they are plugging huge gaps. And many can't wait to go home again. Conversely, there are millions of Britons living abroad in Europe, enjoying all the benefits of European unity, with quite a few living on local benefits! http://bit.ly/benefitsshared
The keys to Europe are political harmony, fair trade, social equality and influence. This is roughly the status quo at the moment. There has been no global European war since 1945 (a long time in recent history). The UK enjoys German cars, French wine, Italian clothes and Spanish food without tariffs. We can move around and trade freely in Europe. And most importantly, the UK is able to influence policy, both economic and social, and negotiate contributions. Europe has also rescued close neighbours Ireland from economic collapse, avoiding the domino effect on the UK.
So what if Britain leaves Europe? Disaster! The UK is by no means self sufficient and never was. It has gone from being very rich by having cheap Empire resources feeding the industrial revolution, to having a few financial, technical and service industries to offer the world. And on the way the UK has sold off all it's industrial production. The UK depends on imports not just for manufactured goods but also for food and energy. Most of this trade is with, or via, our European partners. Now the most important point in all this is that if the UK leaves Europe, it will still have to trade with Europe to survive. And the UK will have to abide by European Regulations for this trade , but have absolutely NO INFLUENCE over those regulations as it has now. It will essentially become a huge tax that the people will pay. The UK would be powerless. Ok, we could cut all trading links, but our links with US and China are also governed by Europe. I think China would quite relish the chance of negotiating new trade relations with Britain, having literally taken and moved all the manufacturing plant and making the UK totally dependent on them. Watch out UK, they'll take what they can.
But stay with Europe and we do actually have some mutual economic and political protection. We must therefore shelve the idea of a referendum on Europe. Let's save millions by doing so and just get on with being part of a bigger picture. I'd love it if the Greens had this in their manifesto.
And please, can we all make Polish, Romanian, Spanish and all other Europeans feel at home? They are not waiting to invade, it's just that work forces have always been migrant, depending on and satisfying local need on a global platform.
Ok, that's my argument for Europe. I might write another blog on health or education or transport....
But above anything else, PLEASE CAN EVERYBODY VOTE. This is now more important than ever before, and there are always people to vote for that will satisfy either your head or your heart and hopefully both.
And for the the first time in my life I accept that a Conservative vote is ok, so long as it keeps UKIP out. But it would be even better if there was some kind of rural revolution that knocked all the old out bringing some green shoots.
Dream on.
