I think being caught with possession a number or times with say cocaine is slightly different to being dependent on say heroin/ crystal meth etc - which I agree is more of a problem in the US than the UK.
The problem is that any form of rehabilitation for the addiction to the illegal substance will be viewed (at a guess) by the wider public as getting “let off”. I’m trying to make a distinction between addiction and just getting caught with a baggy - if that makes sense?
Yes it does, and fair point! I think attitudes in the UK are ever so slowly changing (or at least I hope!)
Maybe you should take 30 seconds to do a google search and see the Green Party actually have a comprehensive manifesto.
The point is there are currently bigger things that need to push through quicker brexit and all the issues that surround that are more important immediately
In which case - the only logical party to vote for would be the Brexit Party as they have a single issue policy, being Brexit - all other parties are too distracted with their other policies to accurately deliver Brexit.
I’m not saying that the environment isn’t a key issue I’m saying there are more important immediate priorities brexit, defence, healthcare and crime to name a few.
Water cannons.
Garden Bridge.
Pretty big things to have in the negatives column.
Here’s the Green Party stance on Europe/Brexit: Europe Priorities - Green Party
Here’s the Green Party policy on defence: Green Party - Defence Policies
Here’s the Green Party policy on healthcare: Green Party - Healthcare Policies
And here’s the Green Party policy on crime: Green Party - Crime Policies
They have policies for everything just like the vast majority of parties (except Brexit Party) the “for the environment” tag line is such a false argument to make.
Water cannons are not exactly new. I’ve worked on a public order team and they have been used since long before Boris they are a very effective way of calming civil unrest and are much safer than battons and less lethal weapons.
He also did a lot of good stuff borrow bikes are pretty good idea and he was one of the first mayor’s of London to really take on for me in the capital head on.
How effective they are is sadly irrelevant. They were never used and eventually scrapped, losing £300,000.
I just feel like they put much into the voicing of their other policies. I work in defence so it is close to me and one off the big things I look at when it comes to voting, as it help for farming and the up keep of countryside life. The environment to me is quite low down on my list of priorities right or wrong the idea of political debate is that opinions are different and views are strong and heated at times.
What we currently need to be careful of as a countrt is that we don’t make a mockery of democracy which could happen very easily if the wrong direction is taken on brexit and if that happens the rest of our nation’s politics will be pointless
Sure, debate policies all you like (that isn’t what I’m trying to do here) but your statements are just factually incorrect - they have policies for everything just like any normal party does. Sure, they have an overarching principle that the environment should be saved and is important and that trickles down into their policies - but that again is like every other party. The fact that the damage climate change and pollution is having on the earth means that some estimates suggest the damage will be irreversible if not “fixed” to an extent in circa 12 years - that is scary.
I’d argue that this has already happened - our sense of “democracy” is completely shot.
Yeah I maybe agree slightly here we are definitely treading a fine line with it.
Going back to my argument of the green party it is just that to me there policies on things I find important are much weaker than other parties which ultimately sways my vote else where.
And that my friend, is politics. They have policies on everything and you have to decide whether those policies align with your beliefs. It isn’t that they would (if voted in) would say “we’re gunna leave brexit to one side whilst we go on an environmental crusade” it is just they put more weight on environmental responsibility and “green-politics” - and if that isn’t your bag then fine.
For what it is worth - I would probably vote Green, unfortunately due to our two-party system I don’t.
This happens in the US as well
Conservative politicians seem to get a pass on the discretions they themselves rail against, while liberal politicians find themselves thrown out or disgraced for discretions they do not
Compare David Vitter (R in Lousiana of all places) and Eliot Spitzer (D in New York)
Boggles the mind
I used to think like this. I figured it made me a hypocrite.
It also used to make me wonder, would we have a two-party system if everyone wasn’t frightened into voting for either of a two-party system?
I agree, it does make me a hypocrite - but my “workings” are as follows:
In general there are many many more centre left/ left wing parties than centre right/ right wing parties - therefore every vote for the very nuanced left leaning parties is effectively a loss from Labour and a gain for Conservatives - therefore my reluctance to vote for a smaller party, which is a real shame - for me its the lesser of two evils approach.
I’m unsure - with the way in which voting works, there will I think always be a two-party system.
I agree wholeheartedly.
In a two party system where I don’t support either parties, I’ll always vote for influence. I want Green influence, I know it’s incredibly unlikely that they’ll win, but every single MP they get is a win, its at least a presence and will force the hand of the major parties.
The only thing I would say to that (as it is perfectly reasoned) is that my vote doesn’t equate to a Green MP being put into parliament (granted neither does a vote for Labour) but a vote for Labour feels like it could make more of a difference to a Tory majority (not that they even have that right now) - if that makes any sense?
Just discovered the mute thread button… timely.