MP for Coventry?

[sobrique]

One of the things I've been mulling over for a while now, is trying to stand for MP in the next general election. It's becoming quite clear, from the fact that the parties are becoming more vocal, that this is going to be Real Soon Now.

Now I sort of have the feeling that this is perhaps a plan that's doomed to failure. That said, as it stands, the registration fee is £500, minimum vote is 5%, and each candidate is entitled to one election communication per voter, free of postage.

So I guess the question is, would you vote for and/or support a 'none of the above' party candidate?

The line going (approximately):

"The election is approaching fast, and in all honesty, none of the candidates were ones I wanted to vote for. So I thought I'd try for another option."

And "I don't want a government that thinks that house arrest without a trial is 'ok'. I don't want a government that thinks xenophobia is a positive point. I don't want a representative that takes the party line, rather than what's good for the local constituency."

Comments

[girl-working.livejournal.com]

Go for it...

Honestly, I'll vote lib dem or an independant anyway...

Tho' I'd prefer to vote lib dem in a way 'cause there's little chance of an independent getting it, and the more votes for lib dem the less chance of labour or conservatives... Hmmm...

I'd say go for it, I think you'd make a great MP, I'm just not sure if you could get the numbers to win it... If you see what I'm saying?

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Lib dem or independant? But I'd be running as an independant...

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Actually, I'm thinking the real key here, is convincing people to go and vote. Turnout has been rubbish, so if the reason votes don't happen is because there's no acceptable alternative, well...

*shrug* we'll see. I may just wimp out and decide the stars are not right.

[scarletdemon.livejournal.com]

The date for the next election is 5/5/05, isn't it?

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

I hadn't heard of any announcement, but I'll take your word for it :)

[scarletdemon.livejournal.com]

http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/4037439.stm

And Charles Kennedy told my mate. ;)

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

So that's the Sun's prediction of an election date? Hrm.

[jambon-gris.livejournal.com]

Hmmm. This is clear evidence that the cabinet are perfoming Kahbalistic rites to influence the election.

[malal.livejournal.com]

We've got an acceptable alternative, they're called the Lib Dems...

Actually, I belive we're in a Conservative / Labour split area, Lib dems don't get a look in, so it could be argued that voting for them is a wasted vote. (As an aside, my old home of Winchester is a Conservative / Lib Dem split, and voting Labour is a Really Dumb idea, as it helps the Conservatives get in).

Anyway, a bit back on topic. Yeah, I think you'd make a good MP. If you stand I'd vote for you, and not just because you're a mate, but because a lot of the time you've got the right idea IMHO.

However, if you weren't a friend, I wouldn't bother reading your manifesto, and would just vote for the local Lib Dem guy. My Bad I know, but I'm far from the only person who does that.

I suspect if you seiously do this, you wont improve voter turn out, nor will you get much vote, not without Serious Backing. Pull that out of the hat, then you're getting sometwhere. But then you Owe someone....

My advice? Look into joining the Lib Dems & work your way towards becoming their candidate for Cov. That way you'll get backing from the biggest party not yet to screw up in office (who's sizes has grown every general election since they were founded), and I trust you to tell them to fuck themselves when they're wrong....

Actually, if you don't like the Lib Dems, have a look around to see if there is a minor party who you agree with. If you join a party who you're in 100% agreement with, might it be worth sacreficing "I don't have anyone telling me what to do" for "Well, I've got all these people backing me up, giving me a hand, and even giving financing my campaign"? If that's true of a party you completely agree with, is it true of one you agree with 99%? Where do you draw the line?

Of course that all only applies if you seriously want to win. If you want to stand to make a point, then most of what I've said doesn't apply (or indeed, Really Doesn't Help).

[sobrique.livejournal.com]

Sorry, but I'm not stunningly impressed by the lib dem manifesto either. I'm really not all that much of a liberal.

Actually, my real problem is that I fundamentally dislike the 'party system'. Winning, well, whilst optimistically, there's a chance, at the moment there a grand total of 1 Independant MP in Parliment (out of around 650) so the odds are pretty crap. Keeping the deposit though, I reckon is achievable, if difficult.

Technically, there's a limit on campaign expenses to £5000 (ish). Which of course, even if you do regain your deposit, you've still lost out there, but it's definitely not the case that the seats are 'bought'.

[malal.livejournal.com]

He's only in because he used to be a well known news reader, and picked a hot topic to stand on.

There's more to supporting a candidate than money. Other party members volintarily giving their time to help you campaign Really Helps.

[jorune.livejournal.com]

What will be the name of your political party? Trolls for justice?

[feanelwa.livejournal.com]

It might be to your electoral advantage to spell independent with an 'e' like it's spelt in the dictionary. I wouldn't nitpick normally, but it would be dreadful in this case if you went and made posters and leaflets with it spelt wrong.