Years ago I remember listing to a man outside a party conference talking about a particular clause in the party’s governing instruments and what it meant and my mother saying, ‘Now he’s a political animal’. He was wholly immersed in the entire process of politics and knew it backwards from procedure to implementation.
Political parties have no allure for me for participation would require the very thing I could not give, my allegiance to aims and objectives I do not wholly agree with. And having a political party of one, where I would be most happy, has no chance of success. I also think the process of power over others is a very corrupting life style.
But I was drawn into a discussion today about my view on politics and instead of looking at politicians I looked at voters, who after all have the true power though the system doesn’t allow them to display it often enough. And my observation was simply wondering at the reasons voters have for choosing a particular party and how narrow the focus is for their choice.
When all is said-and-done, you don’t have a more cohesive country because you have cheaper fuel, or more choice in where you educate your children, or less local taxes. You may have a more harmonious personal living experience, but the country judders than than sprints into the future when voters don’t vote with a rounded vision of the entire country.