Could the Greens learn something from the Tea Party?
blueisthecolour
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It's the Green Party conference and once again they are making the claim that they are the only progressive opposition in the country - specifically attacking Labour's record and current policies.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19517696
But in a two party system does it really make sense for them to operate in this way? Surely when it comes to the crunch people are left with a choice between the two main parties in their area and the vast majority of center left voters will go for Labour - even if there own views are closer to the Greens.
Personally I think they could learn from the Tea Party in the US. When they first started they were consider a bit of a joke and far too extreme to be taken seriously in US politics. However they decided that rather than forming a 'third party' and competing against the Republicans that they would instead build up a popular following and seek to change the party from within. The result of this was that the Republicans were happy to embrace the movement in order to win it's support and in the process has in fact move a long way to supporting it's aims.
If the Greens were willing to working within the Labour Party rather than against do you think they could achieve the same? Or would the stronger party leadership model in the UK be able to prevent them from having influence?
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-19517696
But in a two party system does it really make sense for them to operate in this way? Surely when it comes to the crunch people are left with a choice between the two main parties in their area and the vast majority of center left voters will go for Labour - even if there own views are closer to the Greens.
Personally I think they could learn from the Tea Party in the US. When they first started they were consider a bit of a joke and far too extreme to be taken seriously in US politics. However they decided that rather than forming a 'third party' and competing against the Republicans that they would instead build up a popular following and seek to change the party from within. The result of this was that the Republicans were happy to embrace the movement in order to win it's support and in the process has in fact move a long way to supporting it's aims.
If the Greens were willing to working within the Labour Party rather than against do you think they could achieve the same? Or would the stronger party leadership model in the UK be able to prevent them from having influence?
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The Greens are still regarded as fringe and slightly oddball. Nevertheless they are not necessarily on the same page as Labour.
Probably won't work for the Republicans in the end either.
Elections are won in the centre. By appealing to extreme groups (Militant and Tea Party), parties move away from the centre - whatever votes they gain at the extremes, they lose many more amongst swing voters.
Good in theory, but it takes two to tango, as Labour is the most tribal party of the lot. They've had plenty in common with the LibDems for years, but the mere mention of them always got them frothing at the mouth. They are an arrogant bunch of egos who believe they have the monopoly of wisdom.
Balls's coquettish behaviour around Cable currently is pure mischief making.
Previously she was the go to person for Green party comments - as leader, MEP and subsequently MP. Now the Greens will have a MP and a leader to appear individually on TV etc - so hopefully looking less of a one-woman band.
I wish them well even if some of the ideas are different to mine we need more honest humanitarian politicians in Westminister and I also think its about time TV broadcasted the Green parties conferences.
They should combine this with demanding a move to greater decentralisation. Let the national government only do the things that can only be done at that level.
I'm considering joining up to stand in next year's County elections at the moment.