Election II

Interesting piece on why the young don’t care about politics. I have never voted in previous elections, because most of the issues have not been likely to affect me. Many of Dan Snow’s points apply equally to why the youngish, unmarried urban professional doesn’t care about politics. The only difference is that I am now interested in the prudent management of the economy and public finances. I pay tax and so would not be too keen on big tax rises. I own a heavily mortgaged house so would not be too keen on either a house price crash or significant interest rate rise. I need a monthly pay–check to pay off my debts so would not be too keen on being made redundant due to economic decline. So I’ll be voting for the first time on 5 May 2005 and I’m afraid that Gordon Brown (by way of Oona King) looks like getting the vote on the “safe(er) pair of hands/ devil you know” principle. I can see absolutely no other remotely sensible option. I would also note that I don’t think that Tony Blair is anywhere near as bad as he has been portrayed and that in my view both Michael Howard and the Tory campaign generally have not come across at all well over the last few weeks.