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I have gone a bit Liberal

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As some of you may be aware, I am a card carrying member of the conservative party. I have been for a few years and did plan on making a contribution to the party in a hope to insure my local party was conservative with a small "c" and not the party of old.

 

I come from the conservative party heartland of east anglia and politically I was never that much concerned with elections or politics when I was younger. Suffice to say, I do not remember anyone other than a Tory being my MP. Then I moved out of the countryside and into Sheffield. After a few stints around the city, I now live in the constituency of Nick Clegg.

 

I have always admired the Lib Dems and previous to the 2010 election defeat of Labour, I stated my dream parliament would have been a small conservative majority and a Lib Dem opposition. I truly think Labour have lost their way and do not represent me or most of the UK's population. Labour have sailed on the back of tribalism in the UK where by people voted for Labour because their parents or grandparents did or do and thought nothing more of it.

 

With recent political changes I find myself less and less in agreement with the current Conservative party. The more I look at what I feel is important to me and my family the more I see I'm not really a Tory, but rather a centrist with a lot in common with the Lib Dems. This does not mean I disagree with everything the Tories stand for, and Labour for that matter, I just find myself more attracted to the Lib Dems then I once thought.

 

Given the most recent betrayal of EU citizens and the sovereignty of our own parliament, I can no longer support the Tory's politically and I have come to the realisation that they no longer represent me. Its for this reason I have renounced my membership to the party and, after sometime, I will possibly throw my support behind the Lib Dems fully.

 

Its thought that the older you get the more conservative you become in your opinion. Im going the other way it would seem. Has anyone else had a similar experience with the current government or other political parties?

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Not yet, not me, I'm still waiting for one to peak my interest.

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I don't really fit in with any of the parties.

 

I'm very much pro-equality, be it racial, sexual or whatever. I often get called 'libtard' or whatever when on Facebook. I disagree with fox hunting. I support being in the EU. I'm very much against Trump, his moronic bans, and the whole 'right wing' propaganda against certain religions. Probably not that conservative there.

 

I also fully support the rights of businesses and individuals to make as much money as they can. I believe in harsh punishment for offenders. I'm not a big fan of benefits, and I don't support the high taxes for high earners. That's quite Conservative.

 

It's not so much a matter of becoming less or more of anything as I get older, just more aware that none of the parties tick all the boxes of the things I support.

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I have also gone the other way. I was a staunch Tory when I was younger, goes with the Army Officer territory sadly, but since then I've veered more and more left as time goes by. I still value the ideas of this current Labour party under Corbyn, but I have also liked the Lib Dems for some time for their open-mindedness and sense. I would prefer they were slightly more socialist but I suspect they will get my vote at the next election. My heart is most definitely Green, I align with Corbyn on his socialism views, but align with the Lib Dems on some other things. A Green candidate won't likely be on the ballot paper in my area, I think Labour are unravelling at the moment so while I support Corbyn I find myself less and less of a Labour supporter.

 

Just to counter your 'tribalism' point, I'd suspect the same can be said of the Tories. You voted Tory because you grew up somewhere that was Tory thereby conforming to stereotypes. Nearly all of us inherit our parents values and it's probably not until we've left home for a good few years and met people with completely different views and values do we begin to challenge our own. No I'm in my 30s I'd say I've found my 'place' politically and it's miles from where I started.

 

---------- Post added 16-03-2017 at 09:48 ----------

 

I don't really fit in with any of the parties.

 

I'm very much pro-equality, be it racial, sexual or whatever. I often get called 'libtard' or whatever when on Facebook. I disagree with fox hunting. I support being in the EU. I'm very much against Trump, his moronic bans, and the whole 'right wing' propaganda against certain religions. Probably not that conservative there.

 

I also fully support the rights of businesses and individuals to make as much money as they can. I believe in harsh punishment for offenders. I'm not a big fan of benefits, and I don't support the high taxes for high earners. That's quite Conservative.

 

It's not so much a matter of becoming less or more of anything as I get older, just more aware that none of the parties tick all the boxes of the things I support.

 

I suspect most people fall similarly. I don't hate every Tory policy nor love every Labour one.

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Just to counter your 'tribalism' point, I'd suspect the same can be said of the Tories. You voted Tory because you grew up somewhere that was Tory thereby conforming to stereotypes. Nearly all of us inherit our parents values and it's probably not until we've left home for a good few years and met people with completely different views and values do we begin to challenge our own. No I'm in my 30s I'd say I've found my 'place' politically and it's miles from where I started.

 

No need to counter my point here. I agree, but in my experience, those that vote Tory for tribalistic reasons, do so for specific reasons. In the back of their mind it may be in part due to their family connection, but most will at least give some reasoning for why they vote Tory, not "My Dad votes Labour, my Grandad voted Labour, therefore I vote Labour". This kind of mantra is not so prevalent with Tory voters. However, I agree there is tribalism in all aspects of politics in the UK, it just may be more open in Labour supporting areas than others. One thing is for certain, people are less likely to give their full opinion when asked and prefer to keep their political persuasions a private matter. Brexit being case and point.

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No need to counter my point here. I agree, but in my experience, those that vote Tory for tribalistic reasons, do so for specific reasons. In the back of their mind it may be in part due to their family connection, but most will at least give some reasoning for why they vote Tory, not "My Dad votes Labour, my Grandad voted Labour, therefore I vote Labour". This kind of mantra is not so prevalent with Tory voters. However, I agree there is tribalism in all aspects of politics in the UK, it just may be more open in Labour supporting areas than others. One thing is for certain, people are less likely to give their full opinion when asked and prefer to keep their political persuasions a private matter. Brexit being case and point.

 

Fair point. Either way I suspect a Lib Dem government is exactly what we need right now, something to heal both sides and try to bring people together for a bit from left and right. The absolute extremists won't ever be soothed until they get their way but hopefully everyone else can find some middle ground and the Lib Dems are the best placed to offer it.

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I started off Labour, when I was young, mostly influenced by my parents.

Since my mid twenties it's seemed clear to me that the liberals align most closely with my moral compass (indeed, having a moral compass as a political party is a good start).

Both new labour and the conservatives have a huge authoritarian bias in them, and I find that to be deeply offensive and contrary to my views.

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Both the main parties seem to have lost their ways in my opinion.

 

The Tories seem to be heading in some strange hard right wing direction, (and destroying the UK in their wake), a million miles away from the party of MacMillan when they were respected as staunch patriotic types.

 

The Labour Party are casting about in the wilderness, they have lost their roots and are blowing in the wind.

Since the betrayal by Tony Blair I have found it more and more difficult to support them, and I have left the party.

 

With both main parties being, in my view, unelectable as good governments, I will be looking closely at what the Liberals have to say.

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Not yet, not me, I'm still waiting for one to peak my interest.

Sorry that your interest peaks- maybe 'pique' was meant?!

Older= (usually) better-off and with more to lose.

Hence not so keen on egalitarianism.

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Sorry that your interest peaks- maybe 'pique' was meant?!

Older= (usually) better-off and with more to lose.

Hence not so keen on egalitarianism.

 

To be honest I was going to put 'prick' but I thought that might offend.

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