SpiderFran

Have voted. Voted for the party I've been a member of ( not any more), and have pretty much voted for my entire life. The Labour Party. I'm doing it solely on the notion that there has to be enough democratic socialists in the grassroots of the party to come to the fore in years to come and be bold enough to implement policies and values that most Britons can support and God forbid, someday be proud of. There are several at the top table of the party who aren't democratic socialists or have democratic socialist values. Instead they're terrified of the "angry right" and have held their noses on jettisoning policies that have hurt every Briton over a decade and half. Something Labour members and long time voters may well forgive but won't forget should a Labour government stay in a status quo autopilot. The hope is that with a large enough majority, Labour will be bold enough to produce policies down the line that make everyone, regardless of political persuasion, see that there are progressive differences between parties and that voting is worthwhile. With an apathetic public though, we can all but hope, because I think we're all worn out with the lies and empty promises. It's time we had a grown up conversation about the top 5 issues that are on the public's mind too. Immigration, Brexit, Cost of Living, NHS and a population getting older are all things that unite every Briton in our need to discuss them like adults, get round a national table and find solutions. Solutions based on informed facts, national need, national unity, respect and care for those who've paid a lifetime into the system and to give our worryingly detached children real opportunities and real hope, none which are ever found in short term populism, left or right. Good luck to everyone who voted, for those who genuinely vote for what is best for the 70 million who live on our island. Any success we have only ever comes through the collective work of others, that's the truth. To those who only vote for self interest, that's fine, take a look at the roads, the schools, the health service. Robbed, divvied up by a small club who now get to walk off into the sunset. Literally. So maybe think bigger than you and your immediate family, you share a house with 70 million, you know. We're a great country when you strip everything back. Genuine, hard working , self deprecating, generous, humorous, quirky and loving. But we've all been turned into spiteful, selfish, greedy, blaming and petty. It's what corrupt public servants and service do to decent people. Pollute them. If you've voted Reform or Workers Party, Tory, Labour, Green, SNP, Plaid, DUP, Sinn Fein, Lib Dem or any other, and you hate your oppo in the morning, then you lost anyway. Try talking, try finding common ground, it's there. To the political class, someone, anyone, step up and unite a nation behind something more than bile, bigotry or the status quo. Because we all desperately need to live again. With each other. For each other. A Voter from the Midlands.