In a previous blog I dabbled on the idea of creating an Apathy Party. However people seemed to misunderstand the joke, and the mild serious undertones that come with it.
Voter turnout did increase at this election, but then again for such a close election it is still atrocious that the turnout didn't even break the 60% barrier. With no party breaking 40% of the seats in Parliament, the largest block of voters were still those who didn't vote; a worrying statistic.
Of course there are those who can't vote, whether they're in hospital or in a different part of the country like I was for the St. Austell local elections. However there is no way that that amount could count for anymore than 5-10% of the apathy. So we still have at least 30% of the electorate, who despite being clearly able to vote didn't.
This is the point in the Apathy party, and the sole reason I will be running in 2011. If people are apathetic, and chose not to vote, then they deserve representation, otherwise their decisions is going to waste. However apathy comes in many forms, and it is not just those that don't care who I wish to represent.
There are many reasons why people don't vote, and I shall target the feelings of all of these voters. For example.
Those who don't understand the ideologies of the party
Those who feel their vote makes no difference
Those who don't understand the electoral system
Those who hate all the politicians running
Those who have no faith in politics
There are probably a wealth of other reasons why people don't vote, but those are the big ones. As much as the Apathy Party is a joke, it is much more a serious piece of satire, a political statement if you will. I want those people to vote for me as a statement, no one who doesn't care if going to vote for someone who doesn't care, but those who don't know might vote for someone who wants toe make it all clearer.
I can only hope that the Parliament sorts out the problems of apathy and understanding amongst the public; however is they don't, and somehow I should find myself with a seat in the institution of Hollyrood. Then rest assured I would naturally campaign on the issue that had brought me to power, to ironically make sure I was never re-elected again.
On all other issues, I would try and follow my instincts, my own personal beliefs somewhere with a liberal centre-left vision. As well as trying to take into account the general view of the public at the time.
But anyway, that is the plan, if I decide to run. The only paranoia I have is the turmoil afterwards, when I'm not elected, and for the rest of my life I am forever remembered as that twat who came up with that weird vision of the world. I hate the thought that I will never be taken seriously, all because I chose to do one stupid prank.
I can only hope that doesn't happen. But it seems worth it. Satire has never reached Parliament, maybe it's about time it did.
So I ask my loyal MySpace readers, should I do it? Is it just stupid? Any advice, offers of help, anything in fact would be very much appreciated. The simple truth is that I just don't know.
