One of my least favourite things about UK Politics is the FPTP system. With it's flawed design, it allows people into power who do not have 50% of the country's voters on their side. Yes, I know this is a coalition so it's a bit different but the system still pushes for a majority government where a Proportional Representation system definitely would not.
Because of the system we have, once a leader is in charge of a majority (and sometimes a coalition, depending on how dogmatic the 2+ executive parties are) their Prime Minister role allows them to take over and allow pretty much any law through as long as it's supported by their party.
Due to this, for nearly four years the UK has had to deal with right-wing legislation coming from the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government. This has included the privatisation of the Royal Mail, the raising of university tuition fee cap to £9000 and the abolishment of EMA for peasant students like me. Also, the TONS of cuts to welfare such as the 'bedroom tax' (and the ones that Osborne is planning should the Tories win in 2015) and the various attempts at the back-door privatisation of the NHS.
We have a very classy and caring government, don't we?
Owen Jones came into my college on Tuesday to give a talk and it was literally the most inspiring thing ever. I don't normally continue my YAAAAAAS enthusiasm about anything for more than a day but I am still buzzing. He just had facts and figures off the top of his head and spoke with such vigour and passion about the way this country could benefit everyone, not just the wealthy 1%.
I don't know that I am a socialist (I don't really agree with the whole 'withering away state' thing. I just don't think it would happen) but damn, it was amazing.
I'll leave you with this miserable fact:
Because of the system we have, once a leader is in charge of a majority (and sometimes a coalition, depending on how dogmatic the 2+ executive parties are) their Prime Minister role allows them to take over and allow pretty much any law through as long as it's supported by their party.
Due to this, for nearly four years the UK has had to deal with right-wing legislation coming from the Conservative/Liberal Democrat government. This has included the privatisation of the Royal Mail, the raising of university tuition fee cap to £9000 and the abolishment of EMA for peasant students like me. Also, the TONS of cuts to welfare such as the 'bedroom tax' (and the ones that Osborne is planning should the Tories win in 2015) and the various attempts at the back-door privatisation of the NHS.
We have a very classy and caring government, don't we?
Owen Jones came into my college on Tuesday to give a talk and it was literally the most inspiring thing ever. I don't normally continue my YAAAAAAS enthusiasm about anything for more than a day but I am still buzzing. He just had facts and figures off the top of his head and spoke with such vigour and passion about the way this country could benefit everyone, not just the wealthy 1%.
I don't know that I am a socialist (I don't really agree with the whole 'withering away state' thing. I just don't think it would happen) but damn, it was amazing.
I'll leave you with this miserable fact:
"The super-rich – the top 1% of earners – now pocket 10p in every pound
of income paid in Britain, while the poorest half of the population take
home only 18p of every pound between them, according to a report
published this week by the Resolution Foundation thinktank, which reveals the widening gap between those at the very top and the rest of society."
Oh me, oh my.
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