Be careful what you ask for.
Apathy and protest have won in Europe this weekend. Apathy in that only 43.1% voted throughout Europe- even less in the UK at 33.8%. And protest, with many fringe parties winning big majorities.
But here’s the problem. Today’s protest vote is tomorrow’s policy. Is it really wise to have the right-wing and reactionary UKIP as the overall winners? Are we so naïve as to think they are going to have answers to our nation’s problems? Who are we punishing? Ourselves of course.
It may be we’re unhappy with the government and with a weak opposition leader – but UKIP?!
And what goes for the UK goes for France too. In spades. Are our neighbours so short sighted and racist as to vote for their National Front party? It seems they are. There may be racial tensions in France. And it may be that the main parties are not responding well. But the French have just put the fox in the hen coop. Perhaps that should be spelled ‘coup’. It’s not the first coup in France of course. They have a history of revolution. Not sure it turns out too well though.
As peaceful democracies we need to guard our ability to vote. By voting.
And as intelligent citizens, let’s be careful who we punish with our protests. This time around, I fear we’re hurting ourselves.
Apathy and protest have won in Europe this weekend. Apathy in that only 43.1% voted throughout Europe- even less in the UK at 33.8%. And protest, with many fringe parties winning big majorities.
But here’s the problem. Today’s protest vote is tomorrow’s policy. Is it really wise to have the right-wing and reactionary UKIP as the overall winners? Are we so naïve as to think they are going to have answers to our nation’s problems? Who are we punishing? Ourselves of course.
It may be we’re unhappy with the government and with a weak opposition leader – but UKIP?!And what goes for the UK goes for France too. In spades. Are our neighbours so short sighted and racist as to vote for their National Front party? It seems they are. There may be racial tensions in France. And it may be that the main parties are not responding well. But the French have just put the fox in the hen coop. Perhaps that should be spelled ‘coup’. It’s not the first coup in France of course. They have a history of revolution. Not sure it turns out too well though.
As peaceful democracies we need to guard our ability to vote. By voting.
And as intelligent citizens, let’s be careful who we punish with our protests. This time around, I fear we’re hurting ourselves.
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