Concerning British Politics

I'm no believer in politics. I think it's "civilized violence" on a mass scale, and the practice of politics is quite unethical.

However, I never cease to find political infighting interesting. Certainly most infighting, at least in the U.S., is staged, more along the lines of professional wrestling. It's designed to keep us fighting amongst each other, voting for two parties who are practically the same on every issue (in practice, not in rhetoric), and ignore the real problems. God forbid we ever voted in a third party, independant, or stopped accepting the legitimacy of our corrupt Federal Government.

I suspect in Britain things are simialar. Yet, their political system (pariliamentary democracy, constitutional monarchy) gives different dimensions to this truth. Third parties are at least given some credence, and a place in Parliament. The Monarchy may be outdated and ridiculous, but it excercises no real power (only ceremonial uses). The polical system there reeks of infighting as well (mainly between Labour and Conservative (Tory) parties). The two, like our own Republicans and Democrats, only disagree on minute details, but implement policies roughly the same (more foriegn wars, more government control of the economy, more police state measures).

And yet, much as in American, Britain is undergoing a political revival among the people. There is a reason the first televised debates were just now, in this election, held by our friends accross the Atlantic.

Nick Clegg (Liberal Democrats... liberal meaning something very different than here in the states) shook up the whole dynamic with his performance (I chose that word on purpose) at these debates. He actually supported LESS wars overseas, LESS government intervention, and LESS of the same. It reeked of Obama (more rhetoric than actuality), but it was nice to see the reaction. Clegg shot up in the polls and gained massive popularity.

In the end, however, the two major parties won the day. Though the Tories won the plurality in seats, the next Prime Minister (between Gordon Brown (L) and David Cameron (C) as candidates) is still in question. Both will no doubt continue support for America's "War on Terror", more interventionism in the economy there (which has led to ruin, same as here), and more Orwellian initiatives domestically.

I did enjoy the momentary shake-up though. It is simialar to what is going on here with the Tea-Parties (though to less of a degree). If Clegg had won, it wouldn't have spelled as much change as he promised, but it would have proven the attitude of the British had changed (much like America's attitude showed changes with the election of Obama).

Like Obama, the next prime minister (whoever he is) won't do much to "change" anything seriously. But 2012 is coming soon for us. Who knows what could happen?

Perhaps Britian will follow in suit in the charge towards greater liberties and less war.

One can only hope.

- J. Buell