More Reasons to Vote

Following on from http://truthbeauty-freedomlove.blogspot.com/2015/04/reasons-to-vote.html

Midnight is the deadline to register, tomorrow is the deadline to get a postal vote - https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote and send your friends and family to the link too!

8. Think your vote will make no difference? Voting for independents and smaller parties helps get them to 5% of the vote, saving their £500 deposit, making it much easier for them to build up support in the future. It might take a while to make a difference, but it's a start.

9. Think you'll be busy or forget on the day? Get a postal vote, pop it the next post box you walk past, easy.

10. Last time there were more non-voters than supporters of any of the parties. Those millions of votes could change things.

11. Politics will happen to you, whether you vote or not, so try to control it.

12. If you're part of a demographic with low voting rates, politicians think it's safe to ignore your needs.

13. Safe seats are only safe because people accept it. Get out, vote for what you believe in and no seat will be truly safe.

Easter weekend reading

There's so little going on this weekend that the media has resorted to making up 4th-hand accounts of conversations. Here's some articles actually worth reading:

Opinion:

Politics was once about beliefs and society. Now it’s a worship of money - Armando Iannucci
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/08/armando-iannucci-money-at-heart-of-politics-general-election-2015?CMP=share_btn_fb

If parties are funded by big business instead of average people, who are they going to act in the interests of? (Not a problem the Green Party has..)

It’s a great time to push for change in politics - Armando Iannucci 
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jan/18/2015-general-election-enough-fatalism-push-for-change?CMP=share_btn_tw

'...now is the best time in a generation to go out and vote. With such a fragmented system on offer, nothing is inevitable....
No politician voted into office is going to take the number of people who didn’t vote into account; what they will do is heed the number who voted, but not for them, if that number is overwhelming.
This time round, the day after the election, party leaders are going to look at the numbers – how many voted and how many didn’t vote for them. If both those figures breach certain tipping points then, irrespective of the number of seats won, and regardless of the make-up of the new House of Commons, the political agenda will have changed utterly.'

I didn’t leave the Labour party – it left me - Jack Monroe
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/19/leave-labour-party-green-party

'In fact, I had quietly left some weeks beforehand, and run away to look for the living wage, the social housing, the repurposing of abandoned buildings, free education and the NHS. I had left the Labour party to find the values that I thought that it once stood for, and I found them, in the Greens.

Like greeting old friends, I embraced the importance placed on a national health service, on public transport, on sustainable energy, on fair pay for fair work. Here you were, all the time.'

Enough of the dry politics of numbers. We need to discuss values and vision -Will Hutton
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/22/britains-economic-recovery-end-obsession-with-debt-reduction?CMP=share_btn_fb

'Britain’s national debt is comfortably affordable today – even moderate, by historical standards. To present it as economic enemy number one is just wrong.'

Local news:

Library of Birmingham cuts weekend opening to six hours
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-birmingham-32146016?SThisFB&fb_ref=Default

Spend almost £200m on building the biggest public library in Europe and less than 2 years later run out of money to run it, meaning halving of opening hours and staff. How has this been allowed to happen?

News:

Lords accuse Tories of ‘burying’ review that cleared EU of interference
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/28/lords-accuse-tories-burying-eu-powers-review?CMP=share_btn_fb

Government spend millions on investigating how far Brussels' powers really go into British life. Find out that they're not a problem. Try to hide the evidence.

The rise of DIY dentistry: Britons doing their own fillings to avoid NHS bill
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/apr/03/rise-of-diy-dentistry-britons-doing-own-fillings-to-avoid-nhs-bill?CMP=share_btn_tw

There's still NHS dentists around?

Costa Rica goes 75 days powering itself using only renewable energy
http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/costa-rica-goes-75-days-powering-itself-using-only-renewable-energy-10126127.html

Proof of what's possible if you put the effort in.

France decrees new rooftops must be covered in plants or solar panels
http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/20/france-decrees-new-rooftops-must-be-covered-in-plants-or-solar-panels?CMP=share_btn_fb

A fellow European country doing something sensible while we sit around in denial? Yep, sounds about right. Go France!

Virgin Care among firms with lucrative NHS deals and a tax haven status
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2015/mar/21/ow-lucrative--deals-go-to-firms-that-use-tax-havens?CMP=share_btn_fb

The biggest privatisation in NHS history: why we had to blow the whistle - Kate Godfrey
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/mar/16/nhs-privatisation-biggest-history-staffordshire-cancer?CMP=share_btn_fb

Just depressing. And why the Tories must be stopped and Labour kept a very close eye on. Screw 5%, there should be no profit made from cancer or end-of-life care.

Nigel Farage would axe 'much of' race discrimination law
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-31846453?fb_ref=Default

UKIP - not racist, they just want the option...

Reasons to Vote

1. You actually believe in one of the candidates.

2. If not the candidate, at least the party.

3. To decrease UKIP's share of the vote.

4. Election day is a Thursday. You really have plans for a Thursday?

5. Nothing will change if you don't vote for change. OK, probably nothing will anyway, but at least try.

6. You really like putting Xs in boxes.

7. Most places will also have local council elections. Got issues with rubbish collections, traffic, parking, local services? Then these are your chance to do something about it.



Not got a polling card yet? Then you might not be registered, make sure: https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Make sense of it all

Election websites that are actually useful:

Register to Vote

https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Everything else is pointless if you can't vote!


Vote for Policies

https://voteforpolicies.org.uk

See which party's policies you actually agree with. Don't think anyone is worth voting for? Give it a go, you might be surprised.


Full Fact

https://fullfact.org

See if anything politicians say is actually true...


Common Decency

http://www.commondecency.org.uk

Fed up with parties and just want to vote for someone decent? Common Decency will help you find them.


The Public Whip

http://www.publicwhip.org.uk

Check out the results of every debate, see how often your MP actually bothers showing up. For example, since switching parties, UKIP's 2 MPs have almost halved their attendance. Guess it's not a party for hardworkers...


They Work For You

http://www.theyworkforyou.com

See what issues your MP has supported and voted against.


Why Vote 4 Me

http://www.whyvote4me.co.uk

Find out who your options are.


Channel 4 Fact Check

http://blogs.channel4.com/factcheck

Channel 4 news fact checks claims.

'Defend your happiness, organise your rage'

Morning reading today:

'Defend your happiness, organise your rage'

http://www.theguardian.com/world/2015/mar/31/podemos-revolution-radical-academics-changed-european-politics?CMP=share_btn_tw

The rise of Podemos in Spain shows the potential of the left if it can get people energised about change. In Spain and Greece people sick of corrupt politicians get angry and try to do something about it, in Britain too many have already given up on change, not helped by the Lib Dems failing to get a vote on Proportional Representation when they had the chance. AV was a poor second best, but with around 20% of this year's vote likely to be represented by 1% of MPs, it surely can't go on.

Science spending should be 1% of GDP, say Greens

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/science-environment-32086204

While the other parties argue about committing 2% of GDP to defence, the Greens go a much more worthwhile route. The recent fuss over the Meningitis B vaccine deal shows the problem with leaving research to the private sector. Science is expensive. If you don't fund it, pharma companies are going to charge for it, if you want a good deal, do it yourself. We spend less than the EU average on Research and Design, despite party leaders frequently saying how important science and technology is they won't commit to funding it.
Quite how this would fit in with the Greens Party's aim to end all animal experiments remains to be seen. If reliable alternatives to animals are available, they are already used. Scientists would love to be able stop using animals, it would be easier, quicker and cheaper, but the technology is still simply not there yet.

A second Green MP?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/uk/politics/generalelection/election-2015-opportunity-knocks-or-call-my-bluff-green-candidate-darren-hall-thinks-he-can-win-in-bristol-west-10141438.html

Despite the massive surge in support for the Green Party, it's going to be tough for them to get any extra MPs, thanks to First Past The Post. The most likely place seems to be in Bristol, The Independent takes a look. He's even more straight talking than Cameron: “People here are so pissed off they are willing to think about something new, they think the system is completely fucked up, and [want] leadership that’s actually going to take us in a different direction.” Good luck Darren Hall.

Birmingham Green Party

https://fabrily.com/bgp-rotunda-view

Quick plug for the local party's latest fundraising effort, a green Birmingham t shirt, no anti-immigration slogans here.

Election Playlist song 2:

So it begins....

Today is the first 'official' day of election campaigning, after weeks and weeks of 'definitely not campaigning, nope, not at all'. Instead of posting countless articles to Facebook during election season, i'll try to round everything up in my seldom used blog. (I'm off work sick, I need something to keep me entertained!)

First things first, If you aren't registered, you can't vote. So register. Go. Right now. It's quick and easy - https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote You have until April 20th.

The system changed last year, so you might think that you already are, but actually aren't. Even if you think you won't vote, give yourself the option.

Think it's pointless voting? Last time over 15m people didn't vote. If those people vote this time, it could change everything.

In the end, Skunk Anansie say it best...



Full election playlist to come...

In Bruges

I love Bruges. Here's some reasons why:

De Verbeelding, Oude Burg 26
My local and first port of call when in town. First stumbled into this mother and son run restaurant/pub after a long journey to Bruges with a friend. We were desperate for just one beer, but stayed for hours. Good beer, better company and great food (a warning about eating out in Belgium - portions are very generous!). I recommend everything! Say hi to Tom and Lieve for me.

De Halve Maan Brewery, Walplein 26
The Half Moon brewery is the only active brewery left in city. Luckily it's damn good. It used to just brew Straffe Hendrick (Strong Henry), but when this got too popular the recipe was bought by a bigger brewery. This brought about the introduction of a new beer - Bruges Zot (the Fool of Bruges). Bruges Zot comes in blonde and brown versions, the blonde being one of my favourite beers of all time. The new brewers of Straffe Hendrick then went out of business, leading to the recipe returning home. De Halve Maan now brews the 2 Zots and Straffe Hendrick Tripel and Quadruple. The brewery tour includes a great view of the city from the rooftop and of course a glass of the brew of your choice to enjoy in their spacious beer garden.

Take one down, pass it around, make a xmas tree of the empties.

Begijntje 'T, Wijngaardstraat 16
The best place for marzipan in town. Buy a slice of rum raisin marzipan and your life will never be the same again.

Moeder Babelutte, Rozenhoedkaai 1 and Wollestraat 24
Being Belgium, there are of course plenty of chocolate shops to choose from, but this has become my choice. The truffles are divine.

Brugs Beertje, Kemelstraat 5
Well known among beer lovers for having the largest and best selection of the stuff around. Get there early, it fills up, and start making your way through the beer list that's so big it's more a book than a list. The staff know their beer and help you whittle down the choices to a suitable thirst quencher.

De Hobbit, Kemelstraat 8
After staggering out of Brugs Beertje, you may think that you see the glowing abode of one of Tolkien's little friends. You probably have drunk too much, but the sign really does say The Hobbit. A restaurant filled with everything you need to feel like you are in a Shire tavern. Although the greeting from the staff after stepping inside can be less than warm, once you're seated the service is good and so's the food. The ham on the bone is a highlight.

The Crash, Langestraat 78
If you like rock and/or roll, if you like it loud and you like dive bars, then The Crash is for you. The choice of beer is simple (bottled or draught), the ceiling is covered with crushed beer cans and closing time is when the head of the last drunk has come to rest on whatever will serve as a pillow for the day.

De Garre, De Garre 1
The is only one place in the world that you can get a glass of Garre, at De Garre on Garre street. Enjoy with a selection cubed cheese and meat.

Here's a handy map to help you find your way around:


View Bruges in a larger map