Sick and tired of professional politicians.

[carrandrewj]

Hello. I'm an 18 year old politics student and am continuously feeling alienated from the political process in my country (UK).

As the European Parliament elections are fastly approaching across the EU, I am of the opinion that there is no party that is able to represent my views at all. With the scandals released in Britain regarding the selfish and disgusting behaviour of many of the MPs who have robbed the taxpayer of money that could be better spent on helping those who need it in the hard economic times.

I feel that action needs to be taken to ensure that positive change must occur for those who need it and equally I understand that the people who have the power to change for the better will not be prepared to give it up without a struggle so I decided to sign up to this site in order to begin the struggle against these oppressors.

[Girl A]

Welcome, comrade! :lol: I'm from the UK too, and we're a similar age. (I'm 17).

[LOLseph Stalin]

Welcome. :)

I'm also 18 and I fully agree with you. There's no mainstream politicians that represent views like ours at all and if there is they never stand a chance of getting elected. :( Money and politics seem to be the perfect matchup, sadly...

[Q]

Welcome!


As the European Parliament elections are fastly approaching across the EU, I am of the opinion that there is no party that is able to represent my views at all. With the scandals released in Britain regarding the selfish and disgusting behaviour of many of the MPs who have robbed the taxpayer of money that could be better spent on helping those who need it in the hard economic times.
In the UK there is the No2EU - Yes to Democracy (http://no2eu.com/) campaign that was started by the RMT union and supported by the (among others) Socialist Party (http://www.socialistparty.org.uk/keyword/No2EU). This represents a tremendous step forwards in rebuilding working class representation! :)


I feel that action needs to be taken to ensure that positive change must occur for those who need it and equally I understand that the people who have the power to change for the better will not be prepared to give it up without a struggle so I decided to sign up to this site in order to begin the struggle against these oppressors.
We always welcome new fighters warmly :)
But also realise that an internet forum is not going to change the world, being active "on the streets" is. I do suggest to check out the Socialist Party!

[Faceless]

Hey Carrandrewj and dream1991,

I'm also from the UK! I live in Leeds at the moment but I'm from Birmingham. Where you guys from?

What you say sounds like a really common feeling at the moment. In fact, I was talking to my housemate the other day and he agrees with me - he's by no means a raving communist or anything - I was saying that most people nowadays wouldn't think it particularly extreme to advocate putting all the politicians up against a wall and shooting them. Tempting as it is, it's no solution in the long run of course but I don't think anyone would shed any tears for them!

Basically we need elected representatives to be on the same wages as workers if they are going to represent us. The old Militant had a saying, "a workers' MP on a workers' wage".

Although the public are really disillusioned with politics and people can get pretty pessimistic because of that, I think disillusionment is a necessary starting point before people become radicalised and really determined to change things. I read this article the other day about the massive disillusionment - it's pretty heavy going but worth it in the end:

http://www.marxist.com/consciousness-of-masses.htm

With all due respect to Q, and I don't mean to rant and hijack the thread :blushing:, the No2EU campaign doesn't offer anything in the EU elections. The campaign is based on nationalism as an alternative basically - it barely goes without saying that socialists have to be internationalists. I got some of their slogans from their website:



"We want to see a Europe of independent, democratic states"

"Repatriate democratic powers to EU member states"

"Keep Britain out of the eurozone"


The question is, how is that a solution? The EU is a totally anti-democratic bosses club, but so are the "independent, democratic states" back home! It's not a solution and it's got nothing to do with socialism. God knows we've learnt that over the past weeks with the ongoing expenses scandals! If they wanted to run a real campaign it should be for a United Socialist States of Europe not for so-called independent, democratic states (socialist democracy? capitalist democracy?). It's just nationalism, plain and simple.

Frankly I don't see how this is a massive step forward. Fact is it isn't a big movement and most people don't even know who it is. Although it's pretty poor for so-called socialists to be pandering to nationalism, if people are going to throw a protest vote to a smaller party it'll be UKIP or BNP. At least the BNP have a brand name even if they are right-wing scum!

Anyway, welcome comrades! I'm on msn sometimes if you want to chat,

Ben

[carrandrewj]

I've searched through this forum at the getting active threads and was wondering if there was any more advice people could give about becoming more active?

[Pogue]

welcome mate

[bellyscratch]

I've searched through this forum at the getting active threads and was wondering if there was any more advice people could give about becoming more active?

Don't rush into joining any party is the first piece of advice I'd give to anyone. Look around at the activity in your area and network with all the different groups of people that are around. Try attend a wide variety of meetings if you can. Maybe try get involved with single issue campaigns at first.

Make sure you keep active on here, take in people's views (there is quite a variety) and don't be afraid to ask any questions.

Then just read, read, read. You are a politics student so I'm sure that won't be a problem :)

[Q]

Don't rush into joining any party is the first piece of advice I'd give to anyone.
Why not? If you don't like one, you join another. Nothing to keep you sticked to one place really (unless there is little alternative). Besides, it's a great way to get active, on the streets I mean.

[bellyscratch]

Why not? If you don't like one, you join another. Nothing to keep you sticked to one place really (unless there is little alternative). Besides, it's a great way to get active, on the streets I mean.

I think you can work alongside groups and network with them without joining them. I'm not saying don't join any party. Just make sure you know the different alternatives first.

[carrandrewj]

Thanks for all the help and advice.

I've been told by some friends about the Marxism festival later this year. To my understanding, it's hosted by the Socialist Workers Party. Does anyone recommened attending?

[bellyscratch]

Thanks for all the help and advice.

I've been told by some friends about the Marxism festival later this year. To my understanding, it's hosted by the Socialist Workers Party. Does anyone recommened attending?

Quite a few of us are going from here, not all SWP members either (like me). I've not been before so can't comment on how good/bad it usually is, but its the biggest socialist festival in the country, so I'm sure you'll get a lot out of it.

[Killfacer]

Welcome comrade. By the way, i win because i'm 19.

[carrandrewj]

Welcome comrade. By the way, i win because i'm 19.

Thanks. That's a year's more life experience right there. I've wanted to be 19 since I turned 18.

[Sugar Hill Kevis]

Hey!

Same deal on the 18 and politics student part, although I'm 19 soon and on a gap year. Welcome to the forum and the movement.