How to Vote

I hesitate to dip my toe into this murky water. We seem to be faced with the prospect of a foregone conclusion. Everyone predicts such a massive Labour victory that any vote appears to be irrelevant. I’m not so sure. We are in such a mess that maybe it’s worth going over the ground. Trying to work out what the poor bemused voter should do.

I ought first to explain where, as they say, I am coming from. I have for many years now been a Conservative with a big C. Frankly, I fear the future under a Labour government. But I am not discussing that here. Indeed, I very very much hope that I am wrong. What I write is unashamedly written for those like me, who have these fears and are uncertain about what to do.

The Tories

The Tories are in deep trouble for many reasons. I think the reasons are clear: That they’ve failed to deliver on the important things that most people are worried about. Others have other reasons in mind - including various gaffs and scandals - but for me it’s as simple as that: Failure to deliver.

Immigration

I would put immigration at the top of the list. Almost everyone, including (interestingly) many recent legal immigrants, agree that current levels of immigration are way too high. The Tories have said they agree and intend to deal with it. They have had years to do so and have failed.

I hesitate to cast blame, as it has been, is, and will continue to be extremely difficult to cure the problem. It will involve doing things that ordinary people won’t like - and people, deep down, know this. It will mean, I suppose, deporting people who shouldn’t be here. It seems to mean leaving the European Court of Human Rights, which will understandably be highly controversial and difficult - and in some ways undesirable.

It will also involve making the changes needed to stop us relying on immigrants to do the jobs that Brits seem unwilling or unable to do.

Essentially, it will need the kind of robust action that politicians in all the main parties,

perhaps understandably, have steered away from.

Net Zero

Another thing on my list is Net Zero. As anyone who reads what I write well knows, I have been a sceptic for many years, not of climate change, but of the policies being adopted and proposed by all the main parties. We are now certainly seeing scepticism on the increase, as ordinary people are faced with the costs and implications of the policies.

But action? Such as repeal of the Climate Change Act that drives so much of the policy making? Any action has been limited to a minor postponement of some of the deadlines.

I should add that anyone who doubts my scepticism, should watch the film Climate: the Movie, available on YouTube. It explains the science, as explained by scientists.

Wokery

And finally, wokery. Difficult to define, but I guess most of us know what we mean. Obviously, some of the more ludicrous extremes are in retreat, but much of it is deeply embedded in the civil service, the schools and universities, and even business corporations and the professions. Again, where is the action?

Blame?

It is too easy just to blame the Tories, although they have been in power. Too easy because, in the case of all the above points, the other main parties are complicit, if that’s the word I want. They are actually less inclined to be robust on immigration - although their rhetoric is changing somewhat. They have been more inclined to deny the problem and blame it on racism. They would also be more inclined to believe the fears of catastrophic climate disaster and to promote Net Zero policies or their equivalent. They also seem to be hesitant about opposing wokery, even at its most absurd.

Public opinion

There is another point. In the case of all (I think) of the issues, most ordinary people, by which I mean the vast majority who are not part of the so-called “metropolitan elite” (and plenty of those who are), would agree whole-heartedly about the concerns expressed. They - particularly the less well-off - want proper controls on immigration. They don’t want to have to replace their gas boilers. They are alarmed at - and often will struggle to pay - higher energy bills. They have absolutely no patience with anyone who thinks a man can be a woman if he simply says he is.

So what to do?

What do we, mere voters, do?

The case for voting Tory is that Labour will be worse, which I certainly think it will be. (As I say, I hope I’m wrong.) But a vote for the Tories would seem to be useless if the opinion polls are anywhere near accurate. Bizarre though it may seem, the public will vote in Labour - presumably in despair, rather than for any love for Starmer or his party - or indeed for his policies, which he has largely kept quiet about.

The obvious alternative is Reform. They are firmly on side in relation to all the concerns I’ve mentioned. But they obviously won’t be the next government. They may not even get any seats.

The reason I see for voting for them is to send a signal. To say that it’s important that someone represents the views of a big chunk of the population. Curiously, I find myself remembering Tony Benn and his focus on the “ishoos”. Is it not right, in a democracy, to vote for the people you agree with? As others have said, we are voting, in effect, for the type of opposition we want.

The reasons against are various. One is a dislike of Nigel Farage. I don’t know if I like him or not, though I did happily listen to his articulate speech in Dover a few weeks ago and couldn’t disagree with anything he said - or indeed how he said it. (Quite irrelevant, but I cannot

imagine happily listening to a whole tedious speech by any of the other political leaders.)

Another reason against is that voting for Reform will cause the Labour majority to be even bigger. Presumably true enough. But maybe that’s the price we pay for saying what we think.

Right Wing

Part of my hesitation in expressing these thoughts is that I will be perceived to be “Right Wing” or even “Far Right” in even contemplating support for Reform. These have become terms of abuse, so we have to confront the point.

The terms are meaningless. Originally, and even in my youth, they meant opposition to the interests of the poor and (to use a term that has largely disappeared) the working classes - or in more practical terms, support for the status quo and, frankly, the upper echelons of society. The terms have changed their meaning over the years - dramatically. Now they refer, ludicrously, to the views of Reform, even though these views are, as already indicated, more likely to be the views of working class people than those of the “metropolitan elites”, whoever they are. So, frankly, I don’t listen to accusations that anyone is Right Wing. It is now simply a term of abuse.

Conclusion

So, where are we? We must all make up our minds. And many of us fear for the future, whatever we do. Do we vote Tory, maybe for reasons of loyalty, despite their failures? Or abstain - in desperation? Or vote for Reform, who at least say what most of us actually want - even though we aren’t likely to get it..