Quote by Mazza
You know, I think that Brand eloquently expresses the feeling of many with regard to politics - not just in the UK, but further afield.
Now, I don't know if you are aware or not, but Scotland are currently in the process of devolving from the rest of UK, but we are such a lazy, lethargic nation that it seems unlikely that anyone will even care, especially the younger generation.
Why?
Because they know little or nothing of politics. There are very few interesting politicians. At least with someone like Brand, he has a different take on things, different motivations and to my mind would be a breath of fresh air - something that is very much needed at this time...
Quote by overmykneenow
Unfortunately there's no difference between not-voting through apathy and not-voting at a protest - it just makes the vote of those you don't agree with even stronger.
Quote by overmykneenow
Brand strikes me as someone who has self-parodied so much he doesn't even what he is any more. His agenda appears to be that of the Green Party, and I'm sure he's affluent enough to live in an area of London that has a Green candidate - so why not vote Green, they need as many votes as they can get. Paxman's right - how can you have a view on politics and democracy if you're actively promoting self-disenfranchisement?
Quote by overmykneenow
I live in one of the safest Tory seats in the country, I still vote despite the fact that my vote is effectively worthless. Why should I bother? I bother so that my vote can diminish the vote of any BNP or UKIP candidates. In the last election, 2% of those who bothered voting in the UK, voted BNP - one person in fifty - a shamefully high proportion.
Yes, young people need to feel involved in politics and made to feel that they can have a say. Unfortunately most young people's idea of voting is something they have to ask the bill payer's permission for first. I can't see how one of the the poster boys for everything that's wrong with celebrity culture in the UK is going to change that.
Quote by overmykneenow
Unfortunately there's no difference between not-voting through apathy and not-voting at a protest - it just makes the vote of those you don't agree with even stronger.
Quote by Mazza
So, we need characters like Brand (I'm not saying I'd want someone like him as Prime Minister or anything like that, but were there more like him, controversial, shaking things up, more people would be interested and likely to vote).
George Galloway was a favourite of mine (I've met him a few times, when he used to come into the office of the newspaper where I worked - he was sleazy, charming and completely engaging). He was always interesting to watch and listen to in interviews.
Tommy Sheridan was another - as a young man, starting out, he was so eloquent and had such fire and determination and you know what? He actually roused us Scots, got us off our arses and onto our feet to get rid of the Poll Tax - and we did! I can't remember the last time I've seen such unity (we need someone like him now)
The politicians, always so good at spin and backstabbing, wriggling and all that malarkey, need to accept the way that people communicate nowadays - move with the times and embrace social media, use it better to their advantage, rather than belittling those who are lethargic, lazy and do not vote (for whatever reasons) - after all, they've nurtured this mindset, haven't they? Only they can turn it around now (if they even want to)
Really, what I am saying is that we need more people who can put that fire back in our bellies, get us up and voting, interested and involved - characters like Brand are just what we need.
