(23 May 2014, 1:37 pm)AdamY wrote Although I appreciate that some on here may not be able to vote, but for those who do have the vote, did you exercise your to right in the European and Local elections yesterday?

I voted Green in the European elections and, rather begrudgingly, voted Labour in the local council elections.

(23 May 2014, 1:40 pm)Marcus wrote I have a mate who has a VERY strong political view (last week he went around Newcastle handing out leaflets supporting the conservatives ). I honestly can't be bothered with politics, just as long as I get a job when I'm older!

(23 May 2014, 1:42 pm)AdamY wrote Nice to see that your mate is getting some sort of political education. You learn a lot by knocking on doors and handing out leaflets.

(23 May 2014, 3:07 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote I had my forms, sifted through the literature which was posted, did research and in the end - didn't put my tick in the box.

Lots of right leaning parties are coming to the fore, is it time for a well oiled left leaning party to step up and fill some gaps?

(23 May 2014, 4:11 pm)AdamY wrote On the contrary, I don't recall receiving any literature whatsoever. I can only assume that my vote (or the votes of my neighbours presuming I wasn't singled out) didn't mean anything!


The left are their own worst enemy in my opinion. From what I've personally witnessed there is too much emphasis on arbitrary doctrinal nonsense, most of which goes way over the head of your typical voter, creating unnecessary divisions between parties which all have similar goals. I've also seen left-wing parties trying to poach members from other left-wing parties, usually through belittling each others views - it's rather tragic and depressing. Nobody needs to use a 'divide and conquer' tactic on the left any-more; they do exceptionally well themselves.

(23 May 2014, 4:47 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote However, to add to what I was saying earlier, I do feel there is a gap in the political market, for a well oiled left leaning party

(23 May 2014, 5:35 pm)aureolin wrote Or a proper Labour party! Not this mob that advocate Tory job cuts in the public sector, and agree with austerity.

(24 May 2014, 8:21 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote When living in Durham 10/11 years ago, I was doorstepped through the car window after pulling in from work.
The labour representative was canny enough and asked how I was going to vote - I explained I hadn't decided.
He then asked what my thoughts were regarding the labour party. I wasn't nasty, wasn't vindictive and simply replied 'the labour party isn't the labour party anymore'. The bloke seemed to shrink inside, thanked me and slinked off.

http://www.conservativehome.com/platform/2014/05/lord-ashcroft-we-dont-yet-know-how-people-many-voted-ukip-in-the-european-elections-but-heres-what-they-think.html

Some thoughts from Lord Ashcroft on European elections.

But at the next election, their votes are up for grabs – especially for the Tories. Two thirds of Thursday’s UKIP voters think David Cameron is the best available Prime Minister, compared to a quarter for Ed Miliband. And nearly seven in ten trust Cameron and Osborne more than Miliband and Balls when it comes to running the economy. (Indeed, one in ten Labour voters trust the Tory duo more than their own two Eds).

(24 May 2014, 9:02 am)AdamY wrote A similar thing happened to me during the run-up to the 2010 General Election. Dave Anderson, accompanied by a bunch of Labour councillors, knocked on my door asking how I was going to vote. At the time, I replied Liberal Democrats. They asked why and I explained that I agreed with a lot of their policies. They tried to persuade me that I would be wasting vote by voting LibDem. I conceded this point before arguing any vote made under FPTP is essentially wasted unless you vote for the party that wins and, in my opinion, Labour wouldn't win, so my vote would be wasted regardless. They went away that.

Of course, voting LibDem was a big mistake in retrospect. But hindsight is a wonderful thing...


One thing that hit me after reading that article.


I probably agree with the bit in bold. As a potential Labour voter, I just don't trust Ed Balls to oversee the economy and, furthermore, although I don't mind Ed Miliband, I can't envisage him as Prime Minister.

They both lack the charisma and confidence needed to run the country.

(24 May 2014, 9:25 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote But David 'hug a hoodie' Cameron and Gideon 'coke, hookers and BDSM' Osbourne do?

(24 May 2014, 9:47 am)AdamY wrote While I'm certainly not a fan of Gid and Dave and would like to see the Conservatives voted out at the next election, I am not convinced by what Balls and Miliband have to offer and believe that nothing will change if they get into government.

I suppose 'coke, hookers and BDSM' at least makes Gideon slightly more interesting than his peers.

(24 May 2014, 10:03 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote It wouldn't surprise me in the slightest if it was revealed in the next batch of papers released under the 30yr rule; that Thatcher had a secret den, dressed up in leather and treat the tory boys to a kinky flogging at the end of a hard day!

(27 May 2014, 8:37 am)marxistafozzski wrote Got too admit I made a mistake voting last Thursday, I voted UKIP on one single policy(immigration) without thinking about other policies of theres, I have voted Labour since 2001/02 and last week was the first time I drifted away from Labour...

When it comes to politics, I have always identified myself as a Labour Voter, my folks before me are staunch labour, my grandparents were Labour and if they could see me voting anyone but, they would come back and haunt me if they could

As for next year, I need to have a good look at the manifestos when the parties announce before I decide who gets my vote in the General Election

(27 May 2014, 6:01 pm)aureolin wrote If you've voted Labour for that long, have you never thought about getting involved in the party as a member? I've been a member for years now, and try and have my say wherever possible. I'd love to get myself elected to their NEC one day, but can't see me having the time in the near future. Being part of a non-affiliated union tends not to help either.

(27 May 2014, 6:14 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Becoming a member of the Labour Party is always something I have intended to do, purely on a local level...Last time I seriously thought about was about 10 years ago, but the BNP were trying to sign me up...Nick Griffin would have loved me if his activists were to be believed, one mistake I was pleased not to make.

I honestly don't know if I would fit in in the Labour Party, I have my own opinions on different policies and not sure if they are compatible with Party...Guess I just have to have a good look through the Manifesto for the next General Election

I do come from a very Labour background, my nan was a parish councillor and my great granny was dedicated to Labour, she absolutely adored Arthur Scargill, bad mouth Scargill in her presence and you would know about it.

(27 May 2014, 6:18 pm)aureolin wrote As long as you agree with the main principals of the party, you'll be fine. I used to attend the local CLP meetings when I had loads of free time, and also contributed quite a bit towards Bridget Phillipson's big bus campaign.

(27 May 2014, 6:32 pm)marxistafozzski wrote I may just join and offer my services in time for the dissolution of parliament and help with campaigning

(27 May 2014, 6:39 pm)AdamY wrote As I've said to someone else, you gain a quick political education by getting involved - especially in the run up to a general election.

(27 May 2014, 7:40 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Apart from being an FPF member and spokesman for the group , I am a trade union member and also took an active role in a well known campaign group 8/9 years ago.

Politics was never something that was discussed when I was a kid growing up - although there was one memory of my Dad telling me a story about my Grandad when he was a kid.
I didn't know the reasoning behind events until I was a lot older (and my political beliefs had already been established).

When my Grandad was a kid, he witnessed events during the General Strike. He witnessed police charging an assaulting miners, their wives and kids in the street - all under orders from none other than Winston Churchill.
Events over those few days, shaped the political beliefs of my Grandad and did for a while, rub off onto my Dad (he was a member of the Young Communists at one point - something I only found out fairly recently).

As a kid, my folks wouldn't discuss politics in front of me or my brothers - which was possibly difficult, as Thatcher was PM at the time.
The only time I ever remember him discussing it, was when I asked him one night, whether he wanted Heseltine, Major or Hurd to replace Thatcher.
He gave his answer as Heseltine, which on reflection now - summed up his beliefs at the time. Although he didn't give a reason. Not sure I asked for one to be honest.

Despite all of that, growing up under Thatcher has probably made me the person I am now.

My youngest brother (who grew up under the last throws of the Tory's and the start of New Labour) is at Uni and to my surprise, has joined up with all sorts of left wing groups. Going to rallies up and down the country.
My middle brother, well he is the total opposite. Always was a strange kid .

My mam just laughs at the three of us and my Dad during the rare times we get together - particularly as my Dad has started to agree with some of Thatcher's policies and is edging further to that side of the fence.

(27 May 2014, 7:04 pm)aureolin wrote I can only echo this. Trade Unionism really educated me politically. In addition to the Durham Gala, I've been fortunate enough to visit many rallies around the country, the March for an Alternative in London, and also a handful of union conferences.

One other thing you could consider is Unite community membership. There's a lot of room for volunteering, and they really make an effort to involve people interested in politics and trade unionism.

(27 May 2014, 7:40 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Apart from being an FPF member and spokesman for the group , I am a trade union member and also took an active role in a well known campaign group 8/9 years ago.

Politics was never something that was discussed when I was a kid growing up - although there was one memory of my Dad telling me a story about my Grandad when he was a kid.
I didn't know the reasoning behind events until I was a lot older (and my political beliefs had already been established).

When my Grandad was a kid, he witnessed events during the General Strike. He witnessed police charging an assaulting miners, their wives and kids in the street - all under orders from none other than Winston Churchill.
Events over those few days, shaped the political beliefs of my Grandad and did for a while, rub off onto my Dad (he was a member of the Young Communists at one point - something I only found out fairly recently).

As a kid, my folks wouldn't discuss politics in front of me or my brothers - which was possibly difficult, as Thatcher was PM at the time.
The only time I ever remember him discussing it, was when I asked him one night, whether he wanted Heseltine, Major or Hurd to replace Thatcher.
He gave his answer as Heseltine, which on reflection now - summed up his beliefs at the time. Although he didn't give a reason. Not sure I asked for one to be honest.

Despite all of that, growing up under Thatcher has probably made me the person I am now.

My youngest brother (who grew up under the last throws of the Tory's and the start of New Labour) is at Uni and to my surprise, has joined up with all sorts of left wing groups. Going to rallies up and down the country.
My middle brother, well he is the total opposite. Always was a strange kid .

My mam just laughs at the three of us and my Dad during the rare times we get together - particularly as my Dad has started to agree with some of Thatcher's policies and is edging further to that side of the fence.

(27 May 2014, 8:03 pm)aureolin wrote The only political conversations I really had as a youngster were that you had to vote Labour, and that you're never to cross a picket line.

(27 May 2014, 8:03 pm)aureolin wrote The only political conversations I really had as a youngster were that you had to vote Labour, and that you're never to cross a picket line.

(27 May 2014, 8:03 pm)marxistafozzski wrote Durham Big Meeting always turns into a mighty big piss up whenever I go, plus I am not the kind of person who listens to the speeches, I am sure the speakers are excellen, but I find I get bored too easy and struggle to concentrate on what is being said


old great granny once made me laugh...her opinion on Thatcher was 'I don't condone terrorism, but the IRA should have done a better job in blowing the horrible bitch to Kingdom come', but that women was very bigoted according to my granddad who told me she hated catholics, showed support for people like Enoch Powell was against immigration and thought nothing of using words like n****r or p**i.

My introduction to politics is pretty simple it has been drilled into me that my roots are with the Labour Movement, my ancestors voted Labour, so I naturally ended up following in the footsteps of my ancestors, also when I was 16 I met Arthur Scargill and that man put me off politics for years, he tried to get me to join the Young Socialists and pretty much talked down to me when I told I was not interested in politics at that time