A little over a decade ago, following the landslide Labour victory, I knew that this day would come. It was inevitable that sooner or later, the party in power would pall with the electorate – they always do. Of course, at that time, I was unaware just how deeply authoritarian that party would prove to be. So, I did wonder how I would feel, come this day. Would I, I wondered, feel much like Neil Harding does this morning?
Ah, no. Partly because I realise that this is a good day for democracy. We, the electorate, (or at least those of you who voted yesterday), reminded those in power that that power is borrowed, not a grant of right. And, I realise that one party in power for too long becomes corrupted and complacent, indolent with power.
So, even apart from my subsequent divorce from Labour, I would still have been pragmatic about the results of this week’s elections. I don’t hold a torch for the Tories, but their victories are right and proper. A sea change is occurring and it looks like we are set for a change of administration in Westminster in a couple of years – and that, too, is right and proper. We are not a one party state and it is good to remind the politicians that they are on borrowed time.
The icing on the cake is the removal of Ken Livingstone from City Hall. As for a Johnson administration in London, well, contrary to what the fatuous fuckwits like Charlie Brooker might think, I suspect that he will be a competent mayor. If you bought into the buffoonish persona presented on the television screens, then you have missed the sharp mind underneath.
He already has one sound policy before we start. Unlike his predecessor, he plans to allow motorcycles to use bus lanes in London. A policy adopted in Bristol over a decade ago and in other cities around the country since (most recently, Swindon). This has consistently demonstrated that it reduces accidents for all vulnerable road users. Ken Livingstone deliberately and cynically appeased the cycling lobby – who, despite the contrary evidence asserted that it would place them at risk – and suppressed the Tfl research findings. Those findings were consistent with other experiments – accidents decrease where the policy is applied. Johnson has stated that he will follow those the findings and allow bikes in bus lanes.
So, from a motorcyclist’s point of view; it’s a good start. Now, how about cancelling the Olympics?
In the past two weeks, one intelligent 50-something friend proudly described himself to me as a lifelong Labour voter, and another intelligent 50-something friend told me she would never be able to bring herself to vote Conservative.
I just don’t get it. OK, maybe political parties depend for their existence on loyal supporters. But surely a functioning democracy depends on voters able to think, adapt, and change their minds.
Indeed. Last year for the first time, I voted for the Tories in the local election. Partly because they were the only serious contenders to the sitting Labour incumbents and partly because at a local level, the Tories are less likely to harass us with stupid “green” initiatives designed to make our lives more miserable.
I have no regrets. Changing one’s mind in response to the evidence is healthy.
I must say, if he summoned the nerve to cancel the 2013 Olympics, that would be the greatest and most sensible stunt of all time.
Mark Wadsworths last blog post..Andrew Marr demolishes Gordon Brown
In his position, that would be my first act. By kicking out the corrupt, venal IOC and giving them their games back, it would not only send out a powerful message (sport is not important) it would give London council tax payers an immediate rebate as Ken Livingstone was robbing these people to pay for this junket. Some of the regeneration could go ahead as appropriate. But ditch the games and send Seb Coe packing.