Monday, May 03, 2010

We are midst an election here in the UK.
Election day is this Thursday.
Three main parties.
I have been wanting to Blog about it for a long time.

1 Labour:: who have been in power for 13 years.
2 Conservative:: who have bee in/out of power when Labour haven't.
3 Liberal:: who have always been the third/minority party.

1 Have a leader who looks uncomfortable in his skin. He has messed-up in massively publicised blunders. He smiles like he has forgot how to do it. He leads a party who are traditionally from the working class communities but in the last two General Elections they have attracted a middle class following too. They have had strong links with the Unions who themselves have reduced in numbers over the years. They have had a strong following in the north of England, Wales and Scotland. They have worked long and hard to help the poorest to be helped to escape poverty and become working families. They are not as popular at the moment because of their term in government and many imperfections in managing the nation. Labour attract people who have leanings to the Left.

2 Have leader who is articulate, younger, passionate, smooth and from the upper classes, educated at Eton a famous public school. Traditionally the party has represented the professional classes including the middle class and the top earners in the country. Their most famous recent Prime Minister was Margaret Thatcher who is loved by many and the opposite by many. They have many of their MPs representing more wealthy areas in the country. Conservatives attract people who have leanings to the Right.

3 Have leader who has come to prominence in three televised debates between the three. First such debates in the UK. He is a passionate speaker and, to the surprise of many, was voted winner in most of the debates. They have many less MPs in Parliament than the other two parties. Many of their constituencies have traditionally from the south west of the UK and a minority spread over the nation. They have never really been considered to be a party to form a government but not they are in the frame if a coalition government is formed. Liberals attract people who have leanings to the Left and the Right.

The above is just a quick sketch of the leaders and the parties. It are my simple overview and, I think, not highly disagreeable to anyone.

Many individuals I have both read about, seen on TV and spoken to - want to appoint the leader who will lead the country in a way to meet their own needs. Only thinking personally and in relation to their own social group. Self interest.
I was surprised to see three individuals interviewed on TV this week who all talked about the need of a government to strive to meet the needs of all people in the nation - and beyond and consider the poorest in the world.

Many don't see beyond the party leaders personality and communications skills. Not looking beyond beyond.

I am always reflecting on emotional intelligence and this area is no exception. EI seems to me, and everyone has different wording when striving to define, to be about being able understand our own interior - our own emotions, and those of others. The first one is a road less travelled and a never ending journey - it seems to me. The latter is again awareness and skill which can be learned but never complete.

Relating this to democracy/elections/governments - it seems to me we need to examine our soul. We need to examine our emotions and wisdom and life experience. At the same time know our subject. Read, listen, ask questions - strive understand not just the superficial and first impressions.
And vote from our balanced/informed position.


I yearn to entwine my faith and values together. I strive to consider the whole. I believe that all our politicians are human and beautiful humans. They are also beautiful imperfection like me (and you - just checking?).

The party which tick the boxes in my soul - gets my vote.
The party not the Leader.
The party of 'we' not 'me'.
The party which has a world view.
The party with clear practice at not discriminating against minorities including faith, sexual orientation, race and colour of skin.
The party which considers every poor person to be valuable and precious.
The party which considers those who draw benefits are beautiful humans and need assistance to become all that they can be.
The party that strives to rehabilitate the prisoners because a caterpillar looks nothing like a butterfly but one develops from the other.
The party who is good news to the poor, proclaims liberty to captives, recovery of sight to the blind and set free the oppressed.
THAT one will get my vote .............