Lincoln Liberal Democrats

IT’S GOOD TO TALK

In response to Mathew Holden’s perceptive letter in the Echo regarding the social taboo of politics, I agree that it’s great to discuss things that really affect us.

So let’s set about creating a system that encourages discussion …

For too long now politics have been dominated by the Duel of the Dinosaurs, designed to stifle engagement. Instead of, ‘What shall we do about the problem?’ we are forced to ask, ‘Whose side are you on?’

Confrontation like this only makes us reluctant to speak about the way we feel.

But now, politics is changing and the stranglehold of Labour versus Conservative is weakening. Residents tell me they’ve lost patience with the same old promises tossed out from the same old double-act each General Election. They are found to be hollow in the cold light of day.

There’s the joke about the spirit of a recently departed who arrives at the Pearly Gates and has to vote for an eternity in either heaven or hell. Touring both he discovers that although heaven is very nice it is also a little boring, whereas in hell he can meet old friends, play sport, eat, drink and be merry. So he votes accordingly.
Unfortunately, when he gets to hell he finds fire, brimstone and unimaginable torture. ‘What’s going on?’ he asks. ‘I was promised an eternity of happiness.’
‘Ah,’ says Satan, ‘that was during the run up to the election. Now you’ve voted …’

The system is just plain wrong.

It has put massive power into the hands of a few individuals instead of all of the people. It has a London-centric, narrow-mindedness that relies on financial smoke-and-mirrors over everything else. We have swapped making things for betting on the stock market, leaving Britain weak, isolated and exposed to global forces.

A general Election looms. We Liberal Democrats will be happy to see a Hung Parliament. Then politicians will be forced to vote for what is right and not what the whips tell them. They will have to talk, not shout.

It’s good to talk!

A hung parliament will help the Liberal Democrats begin the process that will make our country multi-party, decentralised, and long-termist. With a leadership that speaks for all, not just for a narrow doctrinal elite. People will find they can engage once again with what goes on around them – and what they say will count.
Together we will have the strength to tackle vested interests, promote enterprise and focus on what really matters – making our democracy strong again. We are the only party committed to devolving power back to the people, so let’s start talking about it.

Reg Shore
Parliamentary Candidate,
Liberal Democrat Party