Although it's been a life of sun, sweat and scenery for us here in Southeast Asia, we haven't been entirely ignorant of what's been happening back at home. The government has called a general election, and have kindly scheduled it to happen just after we return on the 8th June.
We know some Brits won't be voting - or will be complaining about voting.
"My vote doesn't matter, my constituency is a safe seat anyway,"
"What's the point? Nothing's going to change"
Well, we've decided - you're right. Instead of wasting time with the pointless exercise that is our voting system, maybe we should just live in the sun and be happy - just like in Vietnam!
Tell me more!
In Vietnam, elections are much easier. There's no such thing as a wasted vote, because the party you vote for will ALWAYS get in. Why? Well, Vietnam is a one-party state, so you can vote for the Communist Party. Or you can vote for one of the independent representatives from the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (which is essentially run by the Communist Party). That's it. There are no other parties, other than a few independents (they currently have 4 seats out of 500 in the National Assembly of Vietnam). So say goodbye to wasted votes! Better still, say goodbye to wasted time: many people don't bother to turn up to the elections, one family member will just turn up to vote on behalf of all the family members. Simples!
But how will I choose who to vote for if they're all from the same party?
This bit's very effeicient too! Since everyone has the same ideas about what to do with the country (see 'one party state' above), nobody needs to mess around with leaflets, or TV ads, or debates, or competing ideas about the best way to make things work. Instead, our guide Happy tells us that when election time rolls around, voters simply pick from a list of people - and choose based on their profiles.
So in short - don't worry about it! Just choose a name at random.
So... no matter who I vote for, nothing will change, just like in the UK?
Ah, well, no. Not just like in the UK. In the UK, you have to think about whether you agree with policies or not, and vote based on that. Your candidate may not get in, but even so you'll still have registered your point of view. What a chore. In Vietnam, you don't need to worry about whether you like a policy or not - the government will just do what's best and tell you everyone's happy - just look at the way people voted! So in time, if you did have a different opinion, you'll just feel embarrassed about being wrong and get a different opinion. Then, it won't matter that nothing changes - because you won't want anything to change. Problem solved!
But what if I really disagree with what's going on?
If you really disagree, then you could go to prison, I suppose.
What?
Well, in Vietnam protests and the like are rare. That's because the government is very good at quelling them. Secret police, informants, and a prison system that's rumoured to be pretty hellish all wait for people who want to protest. And since all other political parties are banned, you can't debate, or set up legal opposition to what's going on in Vietnam. No one likes people who try to disrupt the status quo, do they?
But my vote will still count, right?
Sure. Your vote will ensure that the party you vote for gets into power.
OK... sign me up...
On a serious note
We know, it is a pain that in the UK electoral system it can feel like your vote is meaningless (we voted Green in Tory heartland Bracknell) and our system is by no means perfect. But your vote isn't just about making sure your party gets into power. Your vote is a chance to stand up and say what you think. On this trip, we've seen that this is something that's not available to lots of people in the world.
We saw a clip of Theresa May refusing to debate Jeremy Corbyn, saying that the public doesn't want to see politicians having a go at each other. Wrong. THAT'S WHAT WE PAY THEM TO DO. Debate and discussion, and the freedoms to have them, are a big part of what makes our country great (somewhere between Thomas the Tank Engine and the NHS). Our political system is stronger and more rigorous because it can be challenged. Our country and its people more prosperous.
So if you're still sad that your vote may not matter, then why not campaign for the party you support? Or campaign for electoral reform? You've got the freedom to do both - and that's amazing.
Or, you know, you could come to Vietnam and vote for the Communist Party.
J&G
We know some Brits won't be voting - or will be complaining about voting.
"My vote doesn't matter, my constituency is a safe seat anyway,"
"What's the point? Nothing's going to change"
Well, we've decided - you're right. Instead of wasting time with the pointless exercise that is our voting system, maybe we should just live in the sun and be happy - just like in Vietnam!
Tell me more!
In Vietnam, elections are much easier. There's no such thing as a wasted vote, because the party you vote for will ALWAYS get in. Why? Well, Vietnam is a one-party state, so you can vote for the Communist Party. Or you can vote for one of the independent representatives from the Vietnamese Fatherland Front (which is essentially run by the Communist Party). That's it. There are no other parties, other than a few independents (they currently have 4 seats out of 500 in the National Assembly of Vietnam). So say goodbye to wasted votes! Better still, say goodbye to wasted time: many people don't bother to turn up to the elections, one family member will just turn up to vote on behalf of all the family members. Simples!
But how will I choose who to vote for if they're all from the same party?
This bit's very effeicient too! Since everyone has the same ideas about what to do with the country (see 'one party state' above), nobody needs to mess around with leaflets, or TV ads, or debates, or competing ideas about the best way to make things work. Instead, our guide Happy tells us that when election time rolls around, voters simply pick from a list of people - and choose based on their profiles.
So in short - don't worry about it! Just choose a name at random.
So... no matter who I vote for, nothing will change, just like in the UK?
Ah, well, no. Not just like in the UK. In the UK, you have to think about whether you agree with policies or not, and vote based on that. Your candidate may not get in, but even so you'll still have registered your point of view. What a chore. In Vietnam, you don't need to worry about whether you like a policy or not - the government will just do what's best and tell you everyone's happy - just look at the way people voted! So in time, if you did have a different opinion, you'll just feel embarrassed about being wrong and get a different opinion. Then, it won't matter that nothing changes - because you won't want anything to change. Problem solved!
But what if I really disagree with what's going on?
If you really disagree, then you could go to prison, I suppose.
What?
Well, in Vietnam protests and the like are rare. That's because the government is very good at quelling them. Secret police, informants, and a prison system that's rumoured to be pretty hellish all wait for people who want to protest. And since all other political parties are banned, you can't debate, or set up legal opposition to what's going on in Vietnam. No one likes people who try to disrupt the status quo, do they?
But my vote will still count, right?
Sure. Your vote will ensure that the party you vote for gets into power.
OK... sign me up...
On a serious note
We know, it is a pain that in the UK electoral system it can feel like your vote is meaningless (we voted Green in Tory heartland Bracknell) and our system is by no means perfect. But your vote isn't just about making sure your party gets into power. Your vote is a chance to stand up and say what you think. On this trip, we've seen that this is something that's not available to lots of people in the world.
We saw a clip of Theresa May refusing to debate Jeremy Corbyn, saying that the public doesn't want to see politicians having a go at each other. Wrong. THAT'S WHAT WE PAY THEM TO DO. Debate and discussion, and the freedoms to have them, are a big part of what makes our country great (somewhere between Thomas the Tank Engine and the NHS). Our political system is stronger and more rigorous because it can be challenged. Our country and its people more prosperous.
So if you're still sad that your vote may not matter, then why not campaign for the party you support? Or campaign for electoral reform? You've got the freedom to do both - and that's amazing.
Or, you know, you could come to Vietnam and vote for the Communist Party.
J&G
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