GE2010: Is there a box for 'none of the above'?

Before I launch into my recent observations, firstly an apology. I mentioned when this GE2010 stuff all kicked off that I hoped to record my opinion here on the general tirade of politics, campaigns and faux pas regularly. Life, however, got a little in the way.

This time next week we will be mere hours away from finding out who is going to be in charge of our country for another five years. Will it be Brown, Cameron or Cleggy? Who can really tell? Polls announced after tonight's debate suggest Cameron could hobble into 10 Downing Street come May 7th. However, just as likely, we could have a hung parliament with various collaborations clamouring at the infamous black door next Friday. It could be anyone's race. 

Over the last couple of weeks the Liberal Democrats have managed to do something no one truly expected they could and turn an old boxing battle between to bitter rivals into a three-legged race. Whatever you think of Nick Clegg and his pals, the Lib Dems have come out reasonably well from the televised debates. So much so it seems people are considering them as a serious contender for control of Westminster. 

But while Brown apologised for a misplaced comment - bigotgate - which threatens to cost him dearly in the opinion polls, Clegg came unstuck just a day later when a student in Birmingham slated his party's plans to put young people into training courses if they've been on jobseekers for 90 days or more. Cameron, aside from his pregnant wife, Samantha, not wearing a seatbelt, hasn't yet put his foot in it quite so spectacularly but there are still seven days to go. Anything could happen. 


The debates have been interesting, although the best moment has to be the yawning man in the sky news debate audience last week rather than anything any of the politicians have said or done. It was hoped the debates would encourage the British public to vote. It has certainly been an unprecedented move, and something I for one think should continue in future general elections. 

What the debates have shown is politicians uncanny ability to not answer the question presented to them. I lost count of the number of times I found myself yelling at my TV during these debates, telling one or other leader to actually answer the darn question. A little over-involved perhaps?

For me at least the debates have not served to leave one clear choice. I am still yet to be convinced by any of the parties. Having grown up in a Tory constituency where there's about a much point not voting Tory as there is straightening your hair before you go out in the rain, I've been brought up with at least some Conservative values. It's been inevitable. Then for the last 13 years of my life I've been subjected to a country controlled by a Labour government. I can't say that's left me terribly optimistic for a Labour future. Frankly I'm bored of them. Then there's the Lib Dems. Well, quite. I keep wondering if I really want Nick Clegg running my country.

Vince Cable, now he's a man I think I wouldn't mind controlling my country, even if he does look a little like Yoda. As for the rest of them? Darling looks like he shaved off his eyebrows and then decided to replace them with a couple of caterpillars superglued to his forehead. George Osbourne. Err? 


I hoped that by now I would have an idea where the x on my ballot paper might lie, but to be honest, it still hovers over 'I don't know'. Perhaps if there was a box entitled 'None of the above fill me with enough confidence to let them run my country, can I have a go?' I'd know where to mark my paper. 

Regardless I will be making my way to the polling station next Thursday. I might even have worked out who I'm voting for. 


For now I leave you with a link to a clip from an old episode of Mock the Week and the hope that I'll be able to pop back here and comment on the social media side of the election. The fact that BBC's Newsnight did a breakdown of the Tweets and Facebook comments surrounding the last leaders' debate, has sparked my interest.

Great Expectations: The Grand National 2010

As the clock ticks down to Grand National Day (tomorrow, Saturday April 10th 2010) bookies and punters will be anxiously watching. The bookies will be hoping for a non-repeat of last year's result when rank outside Mon Mome romped home 12 lengths ahead of the field. The punters however will be eager to see a big payout. From even before starter's orders to the first hoof over the finish line, anything could happen.

2009's Grand National saw two false starts and a total outsider, Mon Mome - ranked 100/1 - claim the glory, winning one of the most anticipated events in racing's calendar.

Known for its challenging four and a half miles over 30 fences, you can never be sure what to expect from a National. Whether it's two finishers from a field of up to 40 (as happened in 1928) or a rank outsider galloping home to victory, you never can tell.

Last year Mon Mome, ridden by Laim Treadwell, streaked home lengths ahead of 2008's winner Comply or Die (14/1), My Will (8/1) and State of Play (14/1), making trainer Venetia Williams the second woman to train a National winner after Jenny Pitman.

Since the first official race in 1836, there have only been four other rank-outsiders to have come home ahead of the rest of the field - Tipperary Tim (1928), Gregalach (1929), Caughoo (1947) and Foinavon (1967).

This year, Mon Mome, ridden by  Aidan Coleman is ranked at 12-1 (Ladbrokes' odds on Friday 9th). If he manages to claim the coveted racing title in 2010 he will be the first horse to win back-to-back Nationals since Red Rum. 

Check any of the racing tips websites or papers and no one's confidently predicting a winner, let alone a Mon Mome double. The field of 40, plus four reserves, includes horses young and old, some making their National debut (The Package) while some are old-hands or previous winners. 

Tomorrow could be anyone's race. That's what makes the Grand National an amazing event. In the few minutes it takes for the field to clear 30 fences absolutely anything could happen. As the horses and jockeys get under starter's orders tomorrow, prepare to be on the edge of your seat, tentatively watching your TV or listening to your radio. Whether you like horse racing or not, this has the potential to be ten of the most exhilarating minutes of your life.

X marks the ballot paper: General Election 2010 #GE2010

It's official. The much-anticipated British General Election 2010 is coming. The BBC is primed and ready. In four weeks' time, on May 6th, voters will leave their mark on ballot papers and elect the government for the next five years. 

Brown, Cameron, Clegg et al are probably hoping that #GE2010 as it's been dubbed on Twitter will see unprecedented levels of voter participation. Surely there's nothing like a recession to make people vote? 

But why on earth should we bothered at all? 

GE2010 is likely to be a closely fought election. Despite the fears of a hung parliament or a coalition government, an election with no clear winner from the beginning of the campaign season is hugely interesting. 

The last two elections have been a shoo-in for Labour, even the Foot and Mouth catastrophe of 2001 and the Iraq debacle which overshadowed 2005 didn't really unsettle TB and New Labour. This time the future looks a lot more uncertain for Brown and his compadres.

The UK meets GE2010 in more turbulent times to the affluent noughties. The economy may be recovering but the recession is hardly over. People are still feeling the strain of falling house prices, redundancies and bankruptcies. 

A generation of young people are beginning to find their voice and speak out. Whether it's against the rise of extremist parties like the BNP or to criticise the main parties, there appears to be a growing number of twentysomethings preparing to cross their ballots. 

For the first time in decades the Liberal Democrats could get a sniff of success. The chance of Nick Clegg walking through Number 10's doors on May 7th is, let's face it, unlikely, but 2010 could be the year his party get off the starting blocks. As a generation of disheartened, displaced and disenfranchised people realise the potential of their vote and use it, this could be the year of change.

Surely the British public will be inspired by the American Presidential election of 2008. Everyone dreamed that perhaps, just perhaps, the first African-American president would be elected. It might have been a closely fought battle but gradually it happened and millions of people watched as maps of America turned blue that November day. If this hasn't roused a discouraged electorate, what can?

It's been almost impossible for the last month to go anywhere without being faced with some reminder that there IS an election this year and YOU NEED REGISTER to vote. Bus shelters, TV, radio, even spotify. So what are you waiting for? Register. (You have to be on the electoral register 11 days before polling day to have your say.) Then sit back and wait for the rallies, the fights and the primed photo opportunities and make sure you go to the ballot boxes. Who knows what the next 30 days hold?


-------------

I know it's been quiet around these parts recently but over the next few weeks I plan to document what looks to be one of the most enthralling elections of recent times and definitely of my lifetime.

As General Election 2010 creeps upon us amid a tornado of party political broadcasts and morale boosting rallies up a down the British Isles, face-to-face media combats and a generally public slanging match this blog will attempt to comment on the developments. At the very least there should be comment on the latest politician to receive an egg to the face. (My money's on Nick Griffin.) 


Stay tuned. To quote Terry Pratchett, "we live in interesting times." 
-----
Brown, Cameron and Clegg image taken from independent.co.uk