British Revolution?

[marmar]

from the Independent UK:



Two in five shun three main political parties

After 10 days of headlines that have devastated Parliament, The IoS reveals the strength of the public revolt against mainstream politics

By Jane Merrick and Brian Brady
Sunday, 17 May 2009


Disenchantment among the British electorate with the three main parties is at a record high after 10 days of revelations about the expenses claims of the nation's MPs.

Two in five say they will refuse to vote or select one of the minor parties, such as the Greens or Ukip, rather than support the Tories, Labour or the Liberal Democrats, a ComRes poll shows.

The figures presented on the front page today are percentages for the entire electorate, and so include the 23 per cent who say they will not vote in the Westminster elections. They also include 17 per cent who will consider voting for a minor party – and that could prove a big opportunity for the Greens and Ukip at the forthcoming European polls, where they would be expected to do much better than in the first-past-the-post system.

The 40 per cent for "none of the above" is compared with 31 per cent for the Tories, 16 per cent for Labour and 13 per cent for the Lib Dems.

Among those absolutely certain to vote, the figures are even more stark – 64 per cent back "none of the above". Of these, 54 per cent are unlikely to vote and 10 per cent back other parties. This would leave the Conservatives on 18 per cent, Labour on 10 per cent and the Lib Dems on 8 per cent, suggesting there may be a record low turnout at the next election.

On the traditional state of the parties measure, Labour slides five points on last month to another record low – 21 per cent – with the Tories also slipping five, though well out in front on 41 per cent. The Lib Dems remain at 18 per cent. In an election, this would give David Cameron a majority of 152. ...........(more)

The complete piece is at: http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/two-in-five-shun-three-main-political-parties-1686268.html

[Chulanowa]

1. Anyone who decides not to vote needs a slap

My parents' generation decided to "drop out" more than "tune in", and we got Reagan, Bush, Bush out of the deal.