Why the left should vote stategically (including Tories)

[AmericanErrorist]

Blair: back me or the terrorists win = Blair: back me or the Tories win

Blair has used both arguments to convince the electorate and members of his own party to back and/or tolerate all sorts of things that actually work towards the aims of both. In the case of terrorists, Blair has the whole country running scared over phantom threats. Our logistical and political support for the US to actually sparked terrorist activity in Iraq (where previously there was none). The terrorists hardly need lift a finger. In the case of the Tories, Blair is adopting/hijacking all sorts of Tory policies in order to edge them out of the game. The Tories also hardly need lift a finger.

You're supporting the terrorists! = You're supporting the Tories!

This ends all sorts of debates. Just trying to get folks to consider the motivation(s) of terrorists brings you dangerously close to the use of empathy (*gasp*). For some people, empathy and sympathy are the same thing, especially when fear and outrage are involved. This is where the parallels are not exact, but the linear pattern in very similar. In the case of the Tories, we have asked people who live in 'safe' Labour seats or marginal ones to vote for the candidate most likely to beat the Labour candidate. For some people this involves voting Lib-Dem, SNP, Plaid Cymru, etc.- but for others this involves voting Tory. Fear and outrage turns the focus on this one single aspect and turns our strategic (and quite reluctant) use of some Tory candidates into outright support for the Tory party.


But what if terrorists attack? = But what if the Tories win?

And what are you willing to give up to stop this happening? Do you want to be unable to get permission to fart without an ID card? Are you willing to risk detention without trial? Lord Hoffmann said it best; "The real threat to the life of the nation... comes not from terrorism but from laws such as these."
Refuse to stand up to Blair and we sleepwalk into a police state. Refuse to stand up to Blair and we continue with a de-facto Tory government.
And in both cases many cannot see the threat Blair poses because of the overwhelming fear of terrorism and/or a return to Tory rule.
We repeat: we will not be cowed and we will not be diverted.

The policy stands.

In 'safe' Labour seats and marginal seats we want you to vote for the candidate most likely to beat the Labour candidate. Sometimes this will involve voting Tory.

Some of our supporters may only support us partially in that they will never ("Never! Do you hear me? Never!") vote Tory, and may instead opt for another party - perhaps even Respect or the Greens. Fair enough. Your call.

But we want all Labour MPs to know that there are many people who would fully support them were it not for Blair... and that we're so unhappy about Blair's leadership that we would not only consider voting Tory as a protest vote, but also voice this intention publicly.

1. Well, here we are, Tony. We're this angry. We'd like to ask you to pull your head in, but we've seen what you're capable of, and we have no intention of trusting you again. You can soften your position on detention without trial or downplay the possibility of a pre-emptive strike against Iran, but we know that the moment your survive the election you'll be back at it again.

2. Well, here we are, Labour MPs. We're this angry. Get rid of Blair and get Labour back on track. Don't make us do anything you might personally live to regret.

3. Perhaps we'd best make it clear that many of us directly involved with the campaign think that the Tories are complete and utter bastards. Except for Boris Johnson. Boris rules.

Backing Blair is not about voting for the Conservatives, but voting against Tony Blair. In the most effective way possible. In many cases this will mean voting for the second place candidate who may well be a Tory. Now that's a tough call, but it's something you're going to have to get over, and something those of us behind Backing Blair have already had to face.

Because as long as Tony Blair is leader, voting for Labour is effectively voting for a Tory government anyway.

Who made the bigger commitment to private investment in public services? That's right, under Tony Blair, Labour has given more support to PFI than the preceding Conservative government, support to a policy that mortgages the future of improved public services in order to give "apparent" short term benefits.

Who committed British military forces to 9 war zones in 8 years? Right again, Tony Blair.

Who is attempting to pass laws suspending habeas corpus and seriously eroding civil liberties? Bingo, Tony Blair.

So come polling day, we want you to get out there and vote. Strategically. Without compromise. Vote for the person most likely to take the seat from Labour.

In many constituencies their lead is so large that the chances of unseating Labour is virtually zero. But still vote against. Our protest needs to be visible, ruthless, and visibly ruthless.

http://www.backingblair.co.uk/2005/02/tories-are-terrorists.html

[Enquiringkitty]

1. Yes! Your civil liberties should be protected. This isn't like WWII.

I could see having Marshall Law while bombs are fall all over the place and you know it will last a while but this is different.

I think Blair fell for all that emotional "bait and switch" that Bush gave out right after 9/11 and all the "evidence" he said he had. Blair might have just wanted to be the good ally that Britain has always been. Now that the truth is known, he doesn't want to look like he was duped. Trampling on civil liberties without proof of any kind is taking it to far.

[Anarcho-Socialist]

2. I can't bring myself to vote Tory

The Lib Dems have an outside chance in the safe Labour seat where I live, but I haven't decided who I'm voting for yet.

[Englander]

3. "Politics?What's all that about?"

I think that these folks should just stick to providing
a database of MPs websites, & leave the attempt at providing
coherent political viewpoints to others.

And a General Election campaign is no place for subtle satirical
humour; a lot of people will,either through being unaware,or having better
things to do with their time,take Backing Blair at face value.

[Vladimir]

4. Historically when nominally left-wing governments

have lost to right wing parties, they swung to the right, not the left. If you want to protest against Labour, by all means do so - but not by voting Tory. Labour will just take that as a signal that they weren't tough enough on immigration...

[Wat_Tyler]

5. If only you had a write-in function on the ballot.

It'd be hilarious to see hundreds of thousands of votes for Plaid Cymru in London, Manchester and Leeds.

[T_i_B]

6. The more likely option I suspect...

...will be the Monster Raving Loony Party!

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=view_all&address=191x84

Although personally I tend to be very scornful indeed of tactical voting as I feel that when people vote in a Machiavellian manner they are many times for likely to find themselves saddled with Machiavellian politicians. Vote according to your conscience and you are more likely to get politicians who are less inclined to play tactical games with you.