2015 Elections: what does it all mean?
As the election sneaks closer and closer, what does it all mean to us?
Nigel Farage is tapping his heels, ready with a party popper with the proud
Red, White and Blue streamers, hoping to lead the sails on the United Kingdom's
departure from Europe. Meanwhile the familiar David Cameron stands, still
harping on about our continued issues with debt, and arguing with Labour over
whose fault the global recession really was.
We've seen it all, whether it be manifestos or live debates. In fact we've seen them in the media so much that I'm surprised Ed Miliband hasn't got a sore throat from over-use of the words "David Cameron" being thrown at the public almost as if he's broken a stuffed piñata. Each of the main parties is keen to point out how it will undo the damage the other has caused.
In an attempt to gain popular support, in the Labour party's video, Ed Miliband was not blabbing on at the front with his usual glum expression, but this time, he had some tricks up his sleeve, as the public was met with very familiar actors Martin Freeman and David Tennant, with the party using the nation's favourite Doctor and Hobbit to popularise their policies. I bet Miliband was perched at the back enjoying another bacon sandwich. Some call it cowardly, but others call it smart. His interview with Russell Brand took it a step further - a deliberate attempt to engage with those millions of Brand followers who eschew traditional politics because they don't think it speaks to them.
Then there is the curious sight of UKIP, who style themselves as some kind of ordinary people’s army, despite the upper class credentials of their leader. In Farage's and his supporters’ eyes, they’re a group of ordinary people dealing with the "real issues", whereas those outside their gang write it off as a bunch of homophobic, racist and sexist throwbacks ready to strike the public with outdated policies and laws. The daily papers are painted and decorated with verbal attacks from this party which has punched controversy into the public's stomachs like a spiked mallet.
So, why the big hype about this election? Poll trackers suggest that in actual fact, it is the same old duel between Blue and Red, the squiggles of lines rising between the two like a competition between the mountains of the Himalayas, whereas the Liberal Democrats and Green party are something like those sand dunes on your local beach. Just a little higher resides UKIP. The trouble is, it's unlikely either of the giants will be able to rule the country without a little help from the dwarves.
UKIP's popularity has begun to shrink as the election approaches and people seriously consider their options. This is quite ironic since last year, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing of them and now it all has somehow cooled down, and their reputation is sinking down as quickly as Titanic. On the other hand the Greens are more credible this year than they've ever been, though their one MP, Caroline Lucas, is fighting to hold her seat. Then there's Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP - not an option for English voters, but a party that still might hold the balance of power.
Where will it all end? Coalition? Compromise? An outright win for one of the regulars? We’ll have to wait and see.
Lauren Smith Y11
We've seen it all, whether it be manifestos or live debates. In fact we've seen them in the media so much that I'm surprised Ed Miliband hasn't got a sore throat from over-use of the words "David Cameron" being thrown at the public almost as if he's broken a stuffed piñata. Each of the main parties is keen to point out how it will undo the damage the other has caused.
In an attempt to gain popular support, in the Labour party's video, Ed Miliband was not blabbing on at the front with his usual glum expression, but this time, he had some tricks up his sleeve, as the public was met with very familiar actors Martin Freeman and David Tennant, with the party using the nation's favourite Doctor and Hobbit to popularise their policies. I bet Miliband was perched at the back enjoying another bacon sandwich. Some call it cowardly, but others call it smart. His interview with Russell Brand took it a step further - a deliberate attempt to engage with those millions of Brand followers who eschew traditional politics because they don't think it speaks to them.
Then there is the curious sight of UKIP, who style themselves as some kind of ordinary people’s army, despite the upper class credentials of their leader. In Farage's and his supporters’ eyes, they’re a group of ordinary people dealing with the "real issues", whereas those outside their gang write it off as a bunch of homophobic, racist and sexist throwbacks ready to strike the public with outdated policies and laws. The daily papers are painted and decorated with verbal attacks from this party which has punched controversy into the public's stomachs like a spiked mallet.
So, why the big hype about this election? Poll trackers suggest that in actual fact, it is the same old duel between Blue and Red, the squiggles of lines rising between the two like a competition between the mountains of the Himalayas, whereas the Liberal Democrats and Green party are something like those sand dunes on your local beach. Just a little higher resides UKIP. The trouble is, it's unlikely either of the giants will be able to rule the country without a little help from the dwarves.
UKIP's popularity has begun to shrink as the election approaches and people seriously consider their options. This is quite ironic since last year, you couldn't go anywhere without hearing of them and now it all has somehow cooled down, and their reputation is sinking down as quickly as Titanic. On the other hand the Greens are more credible this year than they've ever been, though their one MP, Caroline Lucas, is fighting to hold her seat. Then there's Nicola Sturgeon and the SNP - not an option for English voters, but a party that still might hold the balance of power.
Where will it all end? Coalition? Compromise? An outright win for one of the regulars? We’ll have to wait and see.
Lauren Smith Y11