Tactical Vote Against Labour in 2001
R. Nuff is R. Nuff | 02.02.2001 19:45
Since 1997 Labour have had the opportunity to repeal the legislation that has been used to try to stop the Tube strike. They diddnt do it, so NO VOTE FOR LABOUR!
It is now imperative that Blair's majority is reduced as much as possible. Alarmingly, and indicative that we are indeed in New Times (despite all the appelation), is the prospect that Labour's popularity in the polls is holding up at about 20%, higher than in 1997.
It is not enough to say "Dont vote" (most anarchists), "Vote Labour without illusions" (SWP), or "Labour is still relevant to the workers". Labour is "relevant" in the same way as the owl is relevant to the mouse, as a predatory enemy.
The Mandelson controversy is proof enough that there is far more than a policy war going on inside Labour: there is a CLASS war, between the old Labour Aristocrats who still believe in a forlorn program of about 1900, (Empire Socialism) and Christian Evangelists such as Blair who sincerely believe that capitalism and workers can live in trust together. As it is, neither side has anything to offer, but they get away with it because people in general can see no alternative. There is not the wide ranging disatisfaction with Labour that there should be- far from it, people opine on Blair's "sincerity" in the middle of the street.
The principle of tactical voting is fairly simple: vote for the most decent candidate on the list, especially if that candidate is likely to win, although that is very rare. Better a vote for a Martin Bell, or a Lib Dem, than a Labour at the moment. At any rate, there may be a Green or a Socialist fringe candidate, perhaps a local Independent you can vouch for... all kinds of options, even a spoiled balot paper, anything except Labour on the same terms as last time.
The perils of a low turn-out in the next election have scarcely been considered: if it slumps to a chronic level, this may be a catalyst for Blairistas to introduce a new corporate voting system, where seats will be allocated according to "etat" rather than constituency. Eg, 20% of seats to industry and commerce, 20% to workers and unions, 20% to the aristocracy and monarchy, 20% to military and police, 20% to appointed interest groups. Propaganda could talk of a new contract between people and government, bringing eveyone together &c &c. Such things have been introduced in other countries in the recent past...
It is not enough to say "Dont vote" (most anarchists), "Vote Labour without illusions" (SWP), or "Labour is still relevant to the workers". Labour is "relevant" in the same way as the owl is relevant to the mouse, as a predatory enemy.
The Mandelson controversy is proof enough that there is far more than a policy war going on inside Labour: there is a CLASS war, between the old Labour Aristocrats who still believe in a forlorn program of about 1900, (Empire Socialism) and Christian Evangelists such as Blair who sincerely believe that capitalism and workers can live in trust together. As it is, neither side has anything to offer, but they get away with it because people in general can see no alternative. There is not the wide ranging disatisfaction with Labour that there should be- far from it, people opine on Blair's "sincerity" in the middle of the street.
The principle of tactical voting is fairly simple: vote for the most decent candidate on the list, especially if that candidate is likely to win, although that is very rare. Better a vote for a Martin Bell, or a Lib Dem, than a Labour at the moment. At any rate, there may be a Green or a Socialist fringe candidate, perhaps a local Independent you can vouch for... all kinds of options, even a spoiled balot paper, anything except Labour on the same terms as last time.
The perils of a low turn-out in the next election have scarcely been considered: if it slumps to a chronic level, this may be a catalyst for Blairistas to introduce a new corporate voting system, where seats will be allocated according to "etat" rather than constituency. Eg, 20% of seats to industry and commerce, 20% to workers and unions, 20% to the aristocracy and monarchy, 20% to military and police, 20% to appointed interest groups. Propaganda could talk of a new contract between people and government, bringing eveyone together &c &c. Such things have been introduced in other countries in the recent past...
R. Nuff is R. Nuff