At the next general election in January 2025, due to our first past-the-post electoral system, British voters will essentially have the choice between two parties that can control Westminster: the Conservatives and Labour. Following thirteen years of chaotic Tory government, Labour are currently polling at a twenty point lead, which would bring to power a Labour party led by Keir Starmer. This party, however, represents almost none of the social-democratic values on which the Labour Party should be based: it has abandoned pledges to nationalise key sectors such as water, energy and rail, remove the two-child benefit cap and scrap tuition fees. The Labour Party feels emboldened to renege on such pledges, believing that left-wing voters will fall in line and vote Labour regardless in order to get rid of the Tories, instead focusing their electoral effort on the centrist/centre-right swing voters who they believe will decide the next election.
Voting for a smaller party, such as the Greens, who represent strong green policies and socialist values, despite the fact that they will not win the next election or more than a handful of MPs, removes Labour’s ability to bank on the left-wing vote and would force them to actually introduce policies that represent their voter base.
The power of putting forward a ‘pressure vote’ can be seen most clearly in the rise and influence of UKIP. It won just 3.1 per cent of the vote in the 2010 election, but massively increased their momentum over the 5 years, raising their percentage of the popular vote to 12.6%. Despite only winning a single MP, this growth in momentum for UKIP was sufficient to embolden the right wing of the Conservative Party. This pressured the largely centre-right David Cameron into offering a referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union, something he strongly opposed. In this vein, a vote for the Greens will not be a wasted vote, but a vote that reflects left-wing political opinions and one that could shift both the elected party and the whole of UK electoral politics to the left.
Many will agree with the idea, but will understandably be hesitant to vote for a smaller party out of fear that a split of the left would aid the Tories to power. However, due to Labour currently having a lead of 20 points – a lead which polls suggest would provide a majority of around 190 – this is extremely unlikely.
Furthermore, I would argue, somewhat more controversially, that a smaller Labour majority or minority government would be preferable to a large majority. A smaller or slim Labour majority would mean that the executive would be more reliant on what remains of the left-wing of the party, compromising with them and bringing in more of their policies. A coalition with the Lib-Dems, meanwhile, would likely bring around electoral reform and more proportional representation.
Voting for a smaller party such as the Greens is therefore not a wasted vote, but a ‘pressure vote’ that could have a serious impact on the leading parties’ policies over their five years in government.
“Carla Denyer cheering with Green Party activists, placards and banner” by Bristol Green Party is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Like this:
Like Loading...
Related
A vote for smaller parties is not a wasted vote
At the next general election in January 2025, due to our first past-the-post electoral system, British voters will essentially have the choice between two parties that can control Westminster: the Conservatives and Labour. Following thirteen years of chaotic Tory government, Labour are currently polling at a twenty point lead, which would bring to power a Labour party led by Keir Starmer. This party, however, represents almost none of the social-democratic values on which the Labour Party should be based: it has abandoned pledges to nationalise key sectors such as water, energy and rail, remove the two-child benefit cap and scrap tuition fees. The Labour Party feels emboldened to renege on such pledges, believing that left-wing voters will fall in line and vote Labour regardless in order to get rid of the Tories, instead focusing their electoral effort on the centrist/centre-right swing voters who they believe will decide the next election.
Voting for a smaller party, such as the Greens, who represent strong green policies and socialist values, despite the fact that they will not win the next election or more than a handful of MPs, removes Labour’s ability to bank on the left-wing vote and would force them to actually introduce policies that represent their voter base.
The power of putting forward a ‘pressure vote’ can be seen most clearly in the rise and influence of UKIP. It won just 3.1 per cent of the vote in the 2010 election, but massively increased their momentum over the 5 years, raising their percentage of the popular vote to 12.6%. Despite only winning a single MP, this growth in momentum for UKIP was sufficient to embolden the right wing of the Conservative Party. This pressured the largely centre-right David Cameron into offering a referendum on whether the UK should leave the European Union, something he strongly opposed. In this vein, a vote for the Greens will not be a wasted vote, but a vote that reflects left-wing political opinions and one that could shift both the elected party and the whole of UK electoral politics to the left.
Many will agree with the idea, but will understandably be hesitant to vote for a smaller party out of fear that a split of the left would aid the Tories to power. However, due to Labour currently having a lead of 20 points – a lead which polls suggest would provide a majority of around 190 – this is extremely unlikely.
Furthermore, I would argue, somewhat more controversially, that a smaller Labour majority or minority government would be preferable to a large majority. A smaller or slim Labour majority would mean that the executive would be more reliant on what remains of the left-wing of the party, compromising with them and bringing in more of their policies. A coalition with the Lib-Dems, meanwhile, would likely bring around electoral reform and more proportional representation.
Voting for a smaller party such as the Greens is therefore not a wasted vote, but a ‘pressure vote’ that could have a serious impact on the leading parties’ policies over their five years in government.
“Carla Denyer cheering with Green Party activists, placards and banner” by Bristol Green Party is licensed under CC BY 2.0.
Share this:
Like this:
Related