WHIGS AND TORIES

In two months time there will be a general election contested by, in their modern manifestation, Whigs and Tories. No longer do the main parties have any of the deep and contentious ideological differences that dominated the last century. The party of the working class is now in competition with the natural allies of the middle class for the support of middle England.
The fall of communism meant a realignment of the socialist left, and Tony Blair carried it out when he became Labour leader in 1994 and removed Clause lV from the party's constitution. From this moment on all differences between the two parties was nuanced. The class rhetoric of old Labour had gathered much dust since the fall of communism, and only the old reactionary Left still, even today, feel at home using it.
We have retreated back to the 19th century where the divisions between the parties had little to do with changing political systems, but with reforming the current one: the Tories represented the aristocracy while the Whigs favoured the new mercantile class.

In the coming election, there will, in fact, be very little that separates the two main parties. At least the old 19th century Whig/Tory hegemony had real differences to fight about.
On the economy and the deficit, all that divides the parties is the pace at which it should be reduced. On Europe, both the parties have accepted the Lisbon Treaty, with its inevitable timeline to a federal Europe and the ending of the nation state. On crime, both the parties tell the ignorant masses all what they want to hear - as always, the rhetoric will outshine the reality. On immigration neither party wishes to raise its head above the parapet and debate this most important of issues,

I have just turned 60, and ever since I have been legally able to do so, I have always voted in every election, be it local or general. I have always believed that in a democracy it is the citizens duty to mark a ballot paper, because much blood has been spilt in gaining that right.
But I have reached a point where a very strong case can be made for not voting at all in the forthcoming election, considering the circumstances in which our country finds itself politically.

Our politicians have let us down badly, and their scandalous behaviour should be sufficient for any sane democrat to withdraw his vote; and until and not before reform of parliament has been completed should we be even asked to vote.
Yet sadly we will go out in sufficient numbers in May for one party or another to claim a democratic mandate, even if it results in a hung parliament and requires the support from the Liberal Democrats.
My advise would be either to vote for one of the minor parties, or stay at home. If the people did this they would witness on election night an event that surpasses 1997 when amongst others Michael Portillo was dethroned.