Time to 'fess up, do you admit to voting for New Labour at any time?

Question

snetterton sounds like a savvy voter, weighing up the pros and cons of each party before she votes.

Answer 1

I voted Labour all my life up until a few years ago. I was even secretary of my local party for a time during the 1980s.

The first UK general election in which I didn't vote Labour was 2005, although I didn't vote for them in the 2003 Scottish election either.

Why? I was disgusted by Blaireite control freakery, the Iraq war and above all by the ridiculous national ID card scheme. I will never vote Labour again for as long as they continue to support a scheme which threatens the liberty, privacy and even the identity of every citizen in the UK.

I've been voting Green since 2003, and in that time I have come to believe strongly not only that the Green party are the only ones who are genuinely concerned about protecting our civil liberties and the environment, but also that they have the best solutions for many of the major issues facing the UK and the world today. So for me voting Green is the only palatable option for the foreseeable future.

Answer 2

Nope, haven't done so yet. I grew up in the oldest Labour constituency in the country - the one Keir Hardie came down to fight and win. I also grew up as the son of the chairman of the local Tory party...in the oldest Labour constituency in the country. Boy, that was one crazy political upbringing. Thing is, it was a dead cert that I was gonna vote Labour when I came of voting age - and like Spacephantom, I worked for my constituency party (using all the inside info about Tory strategy I got by getting my dad nicely drunk). But the thing is, my history turned me into a Socialist...which of course was a grim thing to be in the world of New Labour. It was of course a foregone conclusion that New Labour would win in my constituency, but many other people felt the same as me - that it was a dilution (or even a perversion) of decent socialistic principles, so they launched an "old Labour" party in my town, an obvious rump, but one I felt more comfortable voting for.

Since then, since my constituency these days is marginal, I tend to vote for the Liberal Democrats - which although it's an easy way out, as their policies are frequently financially undeliverable, their continuing existence remains a thorn in the side of the two-party system, which to me is a pretty interesting thing to support.

Answer 3

Yes, I lived under a labour government in the past and life was much, much better than it is now, People crow about the days of higher interest rates, but guess what, most middle to low income families had money in the bank, and could afford to live here in australia, Just think, I have not been able to afford to go on holiday since the libs got in and started to play with our tax system.

Answer 4

Yes, and I'm not ashamed. I'd do the same again - certainly in my area where the lib dems are making a fine mess of everything.

New Labour are the closest to a left wing party we're going to get. Their aspiration to lift children out of poverty is admirable. My feeling is that a party that is about enabling success for those who currently do not have it, has to be the right answer.

It's not for everyone. And they make mistakes. But to me, the alternative is much, much worse.

Answer 5

NEVER! NEVER! NEVER!
John Presscott- The one true labour union man, where does he live, in a grace and favour 8 million pound mansion!!!!Give me a break. There comes a time when you have to say that although you believed in a certain party what they stand for has no bearing on how THEY live there lives, one rule for them & one for us!! It's no different from Tzarist Russia. The day that one party stands up and says:
1. We will only ever be paid the same as a nurse, and therefor cannot give themselves HUGE payrises.
2.We will not be treated any differently than the citizens WE serve.
3. We will be held responsible for any mistakes we make.
I'll vote for that party. Until then I have to use my vote idiotically, because I have no faith in any of the self-serving hypocrites that govern us now.

Answer 6

I have never voted new Labour , and certainly never old Labour !!
However there is not really much choice now between the big two as Labour lurch to the right , and Conservatives to the left and both trying , and failing to convince they are centralist parties.
Liberals don't really stand for anything so I wouldn't vote for them either

Answer 7

Never have, and as long as GB is prime minister/Labour leader, never will.

Someone please explain why a Scot, with parliamentary seat in Scotland is running England.

Why have Scotland got their own parliament, and yet rule (ruin) England?

A vote for labour is a vote for dictatorial Conservatives
A vote for Conservatives is for god knows what
A vote for Liberal Democrats is a vote for the PC brigade or a non vote as they don't have enough MPs standing for election to become the majority party.

Time for something new - and I don't mean the BNP!!

Answer 8

I have never voted for the labour party...or even the conservatives. Their all a load of losers.

Answer 9

You wont tell anyone this will you...but I did vote for them once :o( I've got a good excuse though, I grew up in Thatchers Britain and saw and heard of all the things that it did to so many people. I was lulled into a false sense of security by New Labour. I apologise profusely and promise I'll never do it again! ever ever ever

Answer 10

Yes, they are the best of a bad bunch. Most people who go into Labour do so for social justice and equality. They loose their way a bit but they started off ok. Most people who join the Tories do so for the right to keep those below them in their place and to continue to exploit them. They dress it up with words like freedom but freedom means the freedom to starve. They will NEVER change.