Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Why support a small party like Popular Alliance?

People often ask me what the point is in supporting a small party like Popular Alliance. After all, we're never going to get into power right? What can such a small party do against the big three or even UKIP?

Fair points, but easily answerable. The most obvious response to these criticisms is that a person's allegiance is worth little if it is not based on principle. I have never voted for a party just because I thought they would win an election (though I did vote Labour for Blair's first election) but because I supported and agreed with their ideas. If we all want to vote for a party based purely on their odds, then we may as well scrap every party except Labour and Tory right now.

However there is a stronger, more compelling reason to join a party like Popular Alliance: it's the only way to truly reform the system. No I don't mean 'reform' in some sinister, ultra radical, Communist way. I simply mean clearing all the corrupt, disloyal, insincere politicians out of Parliament.

Let's face it, there is little to no ideological difference between the big parties anymore. Imagine Boris Johnson switching to Labour or John Denham joining the Lib Dems, it's not atall difficlult is it? What this means is that each of these groups is under the grip of the same lobbyists, the same money politics and will behave the same way.

The only cure for this is to form a party from the ground up. A party that is built on solidarity and a need for change and, most of all, from people with principle. There is no shortcut to this, because trying to find one would mean going begging to the kinds of people we have just talked about.

And small parties can make a difference. Many councils in the UK have resident's associations on their board. Small parties in parliament can often tip the vote on big decisions. Labour (the old one) was formed by working people. It can be done.

So while it is unlikely you will see us - or any other minor party - running the country anytime soon, it's still, in my opinion, a crucial job we are doing in laying the foundations for a party to grown and strengthen in the future. Still, the clock is ticking for the UK and we need all the support we can have, so get involved!

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