Why I (Can't) Vote Labour

This was supposed to be a summary of why I decided I could not vote Labour on Thursday.

I was undecided until recently, and then the full Legal Advice from Lord Goldsmith was published. I was angry that, in my opinion, Blair had not allowed MPs or even his own Cabinet to see the full advice, complete with caveats about the legality. I vowed I could not vote Labour.

However, my sister got wind of this and forwarded me some links to articles imploring Labour voters not to abandon the party.

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1452975,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1471061,00.html

http://www.guardian.co.uk/comment/story/0,,1472812,00.html

Polly Toynbee argues in these articles that Labour has had success in helping those in the most need, and that while the Tories would not cut highly visible services much, plenty of programs to help those who need it most would quietly dissappear, without the middle classes really noticing.

I was forced to admit that Labour are still the best choice for those who believe in social justice, and will vote for them, despite differences over Iraq, Foundation Hospitals, Anti-Terror Laws, ID-Cards (more on this later, Bob...), and the general creep of privatisation and PFI.

In fact, reading the articles has instilled me with much more confidence in the Labour Party, with the realisation that they have not completely abandoned their principles.

Vote Labour!