It had been suggested that instead of simply forwarding my obscure political ramblings via email, to people who I think will actually care, I should scribble my musings in a blog. We'll see how it goes and work from there.
In the small, small world of local politics, pretty much nothing happens between elections. Nothing. Ever. Zip. From the time the ballot box closes (in some cases, locking an over-exaggerated number out who didn't get their backsides there in time out) to the moment that the winner is announced, the the political machines begin to close down. Unless, of course you won. There is then nothing for the next few months, and for some local Parties, the next few years. For the time between elections, things are all-too-familiarly quiet in local politics for the Parties that did not win. I find it difficult to call these Parties 'losers', because in the world of politics, you need to be an eternal optimist. Otherwise, what is the point being there? You have to believe that you have the abilities, the talents and the inclination to actually make a difference for the good of everyone. Is this not a little idealist, I hear you say? Well, damn straight it is. If the media outlets are anything to go by (and they're usually not), politics is filled with swindling crooks dressed in black and white jumpers carrying a sack on their backs with the words 'EXPENSES' emblazoned on the side. I don't buy this for a second. You should want to go into politics for the right reasons. Often, however, people don't. From duck houses, to moats, to the Daily Mail's probable theory that the Queen claimed for Diana's 'murder' on her own expenses, we've had enough of corrupt gits haven't we? I just do not care about how many pies John Prescott claimed for any more. It happened. Those who milked the system are tossers. Move on. (You can find your own MP's expense list here).
The reason that all this made such delightful and entertaining reading, is because politics had never before been so outrageous and hilarious at the same time. Nothing happens in local politics outside of election season. That is, unless, you make them happen. This is something that I am already beginning to learn.
I have started to take an active role in compiling and scrutinising what my local MP does, both in the constituency and in Westminster. I want to keep close tabs on what (if anything) he actually achieves on behalf of the aging and creaking town.
Politics isn't boring if you're prepared to do something to make it not so. Stand for a Council. Volunteer for your MP if you voted for them. Piss off your MP if you didn't vote for them. But what we all must do, is to censor our MP. They work for us all, whether we voted for them or not. Not enough people do this any more. Let's make these smug gits earn their £65,738 a year.
I am not simply going to make this into a boring political blog that looks like it was written by Darth Mandelson's evil, genetically enhanced super villain publicist. I want to make it exciting, and controversial. Akin to what you'd expect an uncensored Boris Johnson dinner party to be like. Just without the fox-hunting. And pretention. And tossers.
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