Thoughts of the Future

[lupestripe]

There is a wave of optimism about this new coalition that hasn't been seen for 13 years. The last administration ended sourly so let's hope this one will not. I think the signs are good - the banter between both leaders today made me smile (and indeed gave me a uniquely warm fuzzy feeling that I never thought I would ever get over David Cameron) and I think that if this truly can work, then trust and transparency will be restored in politics. To me, this working together is precisely what our political system should be like, which is why I am in favour of PR and why I was in favour of a hung parliament.

The thought of wanting all parties to lose the Election may have given birth to something quite marvellous and it may catalyse the "change" on which all the parties' campaigns were based. I don't think that this was the change that they had in mind though!! Either way, I think that the current arrangement may be exactly what our political system needs right now and that this could engage the electorate and turn our democracy into a strong bastion of which to be proud. I also think that this collective enterprise - as opposed to bipartate bickering - may also engage the public and prove to be a blessing in disguise.

Granted, a couple of the Tory policies I wasn't particularly happy about have slipped through the net - and I don't have a lot of faith in George Osborne - but with the Tories' more objectionable ideas kicked into grass and the Liberal Democrats' sillier notions clipped, the hopes are that this coalition can bring out the best of the two parties and turn them into a dynamic force that can right the wrongs of the last few years. The deportment of both Mr Cameron and Mr Clegg over the last five days - and particularly today - suggests that this may work and I must admit that I have started to respect the Tory leader a hell of a lot more since Friday. In fact, with Mr Clegg by his side, he has turned from a horrible prospect to a viable option in my eyes, biased as they are by my own political leaning. The two men have certainly conducted themselves with a gentlemanly grace over the last few days and I think this too bodes well.

So an improvement, let's hope. I hope David Miliband does get the Labour Leader role too - a strong opposition is an important part of democracy and I think that he could revitalise the Labour Party and play an important role in enhancing our democratic process. But today was all about the Cameron and Clegg show. The signs suggest that things are already looking good but it will be a difficult road ahead.

Comments

[shep-shepherd.livejournal.com]

So I'm not the only one who got the warm fuzzies whilst watching the interplay between the PM and the deputy PM? :D

I share your optimism and believe that we are entering a new era of politics, the outcome of which I think will benefit us all in the long run - I have been waiting for this sort of thing to happen since I've been able to vote :)

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

We'll see what happens, let's hope the cracks won't start to show. I like the idea of this repeal the laws you don't like stuff, I am disheartened that the Human Rights Act is one that is vilified.

[slinkat.livejournal.com]

I think this could work as well. It's refreshing to see genuine compromise for once, and both men do indeed seem at ease, as opposed to Brown, who looked uncomfortable in his own skin, let alone Number 10. The thing that gives me hope is the binning of ID cards and NIR, plus Cameron's talk of replacing entitlement with responsibility, as it suggests a complete shift of emphasis away from the interventionist, database obsessed Orwellian nightmare Labour seemed hellbent on creating and towards small Government with the focus on personal freedoms. There are also some nice noises regarding open source technology and use of standards, which I'm all for. I'm just pleased we no longer have a Government whose default view of the electorate is that we're all possible criminals and must be monitored and vetted at all times for our own good. Think of the children etc etc

[alexf0x.livejournal.com]

The canning of ID cards so far has the best thing about the coalition goverment IMHO.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Yep, got to agree there. And the reduction in CCTV and the DNA database. Their view on Internet censorship could be concerning though.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I fear what they may do regarding Internet censorship though - there could very much be a think of the children view when it comes to this.

[haunter-uk.livejournal.com]

Actually, given that the electoral reform that the Lib Dems have been proposing for the past... What... 30 years? would pretty much ensure we'd never see a majority government again (instead always minority governments or coalition governments [Although obviously it's difficult to predict and you can't really transplant present voting patterns into a vastly different voting system]), the change from majority based to coalition based governments is pretty much exactly the sort of change Nick Clegg was talking about, even if he didn't realize it at the time.

[alexf0x.livejournal.com]

One thing that a lot of people are forgetting is that Electoral reform is going to be the sticking point of this coalition, and the referendum on it will have to be called within the first three months or the rifts between the two party’s will show. Also what will be the outcome if the Lib-dems DON'T get their way after the public vote?

Smiles and agreements aside, this is still at heart two parts from different ends of the political spectrum, and above the surface of the new's conferences it's staking on some rather thin ice.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I agree and it will be interesting to see what happens. But I guess this is all speculation at present and all we should do is hold on tight and see what unfolds. The noises being made so far are generally positive so I am just thankful for that at the moment.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

Indeed, it is one of the ironies of the "change" message that all the leaders were talking about. I am quite happy with the idea of compromise though - governments should be representative of the people and I don't see how this can be apart from having a coalition.

[fen-ra.livejournal.com]

All I can say is, I've not felt this sort of optimism about the running of the country for a long time.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

And it's still there a week later :)

[albrecht-fur.livejournal.com]

I think that the curtailing of the sillier ends of both parties plans will lead to a solid workable core.
We may actually get some progress here.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

I am glad that the really horrible draconian policies of the Tories have been nullified. A few have seaped through but generally, only the good stuff has remained. This is why I wanted a coalition and not a Tory majority.

[harlequeen.livejournal.com]

I too am optimistic, hopefully tempered with a bit of realism. It's a hard task currently, and there are some areas of real difference. But to be honest, most parties in this country actually agree on most things.

[lupestripe.livejournal.com]

The next few years will be painful, no doubt about that. All we can do is wait and see what happens. The thing is that because we have such an economic crisis, I think it will smooth over the differences rather than enhance them. This means we could get the best out of this coalition government because all concerned will be focused on sorting out the task at hand.