Just back from a week's holiday in Yorkshire and have to admit that because we were away I failed to vote in the European Elections.
When the results came in I found I was reproaching myself ever more for this omission. The vagaries of the proportional representation system mean that the BNP landed a seat despite the fact that their share of the vote remained more or less static.
Effectively it was protest votes cast for other parties that lost labour a seat in the North West... not BNP advances that actually won it.
However the fact is that we do now have BNP members of the European Parliament representing the North West and Yorkshire.
Labour's Andy Burnham calls it "a sad day for politics", but I have got to confess that it seems to me to be a great wake-up call for politics and for voters.
Okay, I've got the excuse that I was away on holiday and could not get to the poll... but then I seem to recall that I did not bother to vote at the last European Elections, on the basis that it is "just a talking shop" and does not affect us.
But every time I switch on a light, to be greeted by the dim glow of an energy-saving florescent bulb, I am reminded that Europe does have a direct effect on our daily lives and, of course, this is merely the tip of the iceberg. (Not that I am against saving energy, just that I think I'd like the option to choose which kind of bulbs to use and where!)
It is now clearly only a matter of time before Gordon Brown steps down as Prime Minister. Clearly he should have called a General Election in October 2007 and must be kicking himself that he lost his nerve.
Whatever happens I am going to make sure that I cast my vote in all elections, local, national and European.
That at least will be my small contribution to proving that the election of a BNP MEP was not "sad day for politics".
In fact I think that we may be seeing the demise of party politics - with the domination of three main parties - as we have known it. The internet has gives rise people power and the age of instant communication means that anyone can vent their opinion at the push of a button.
I think the politicians need to wake-up to the new reality and perhaps we have to get used to the fact that minorities of all kinds are going to have a very real voice.
When will they ever learn?
(Fri 08/10)
Blackpool FC - back where they belong
(Tue 25/05)
A good bet... the date of the election?
(Sun 03/01)
Three men make it up Coniston Old Man - at last!
(Sun 28/06)
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