London Mayoral Elections 2012 - Comforting politics
With things across the pond flitting between blackly hilarious and the frankly fucking terrifying prospect that one of these guys will still come in 2nd place to be president, the upcoming mayoral elections are providing some actual, real life politics that many are missing out on.
It's not simply a case of a bumbling, if admittedly loveable, cycling oaf against that hateful, gay bashing, vested interest led rodent of a man, Ken Livingstone. If it was, I'd much rather go with a fuzzy haired toff, who may be slightly vain, than a man who will publicly side with extremist, LGBT hating figures simply for a few votes. I can deal with Boris Johnson, at least he puts a smile on our faces sometimes.
However, I really hope people see the alternative votes, as this year the competition is oddly uplifting, especially from a feminist standpoint. The Lib Dem candidate is ex Met senior officer, Brian Paddock. His campaign is focussed on changing the police's and public's attitudes on rape, particularly how victims are treated and the assumption of some degree of responsibility. It's awful to begin with that this needs to be a primary campaign point, but it's also fantastic that this is a primary campaign point, giving this fundamental social issue a voice hopefully above pedantic bickering about bus fares. He's also aware of the Lib Dem's current position as Tory whipping boys and overtly placing himself well left of Nick Clegg. So that's good.
Jenny Jones of the Greens will be a strong contender for my personal vote almost solely for the party's views on a zero growth economy and taking environmental issues seriously now, as opposed than have their back scratched and feet massaged by ultra rich folk until shit becomes uncomfortably real. Also, the thought of a virtually car free city to be enjoyed solely by bikes and pedestrians is awesome.
Finally, another promising candidate is independent Siobhan Benita (why the fuck did they have to describe her as like a 'really hot teacher'?). No political alignment, wanting to go beyond current calls for 30% quotas in boardrooms ("Why stop at 30 per cent? The population is 51 per cent female.") and planning to throw a Siobhan shaped spanner into the old boy cogs of government are certainly things I can get behind.
It's either down to me noticing it more recently, or a genuine trend, but it does seem like feminism is becoming increasingly prevalent in politics, especially in these mayoral elections. This is encouraging, and a perfect remedy amid unapologetic vagina hating in the GOP and horse riding farts in Downing Street.
