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Published by Scott Buckler on Monday, May 12th, 2008 at 4:44 pm

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End of an era?

Well the daggers are well and truly out for the government after what must be the worst week in Labour history. First they had to deal with a crushing local election defeat to the Conservatives and then they had to watch the horror show which was the mayoral election unfolding in front of their eyes. As Boris put the final nail into the coffin of Brown’s week from hell, journalists across the country were sharpening their pencils and rubbing their hands together at the forthcoming wave of critism which was soon to wash over the Labour party. Not even Harriet Harman could save the forthcoming mud slinging with a guest appearance on morning TV; her smiles and positive thinking were no match for the seasoned campaigners down on Fleet Street who had already begun their hunt for the best pun. “Brown and Out” cried one daily newspaper. But I ask you this, and be honest when you answer, are the Conservatives better prepared to take charge of this country then the current government or does their image precede them?

Their new logo and webpage may look all shiny and new, but are they all smoke and mirrors. One worrying point which was witnessed throughout the local elections was the fact that all members of the public interviewed on TV said: “Brown looks un-trustworthy, Cameron looks like he cares.”

So might it be that in fact members of the public voted for Conservatives because they looked cooler, more trustworthy and confident? Are we voting simply on image? Do voters look at the policies of each government or do they just vote with their eyes and not their heads? Maybe we are not taking politics to the grass root levels. Children in schools could tell you the back four for Manchester Utd, but could they name the environment minister or for that matter do they know we have one? I think it is time we started teaching children about politics. Get out of Westminster and into each school and home, lay down the facts and let the public decide. These are the issues which will define our children’s future.

The days of politics being restricted to programmes such as Question Time and Have I Got News for You should be over. It is time we delivered politics to the people, explain why decisions are made, explain policies and distribute the facts. Then and only then will we get a fair voting system and I think a few people might change their minds on which box they will tick in the future.

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