Nick Clegg is not the only 'different' voice
In many ways it was important to see the near media monopoly of the big two parties being challenged by Nick Clegg in the leaders' debate. It is an important voice for people to hear, and a different face from Brown and Cameron. But it is far from the only 'different' voice. And many voters are crying out for a real alternative. Green Party Leader, Caroline Lucas, would have provided both a fresh voice and a very different perspective. Fresh from her latest triumph on Question Time, Caroline would have taken all three of them to task - and provided a real alternative. On safeguarding our public services, on tackling climate change and on creating new jobs.
What these leader debates fail to illustrate is the large consensus amongst the main parties. Caroline would not have shared any 'I agree with Nick' moments over his views on staying in Afghanistan, privatisation or 'savage' cuts to the public sector. The democratic debate has definitely widened by including the Lib Dems in the leader debates, but on issues like Afghanistan, the three Westminster parties completely fail to represent the majority voice of ordinary people who want us to withdraw. It is amazing that the media play along with this farce, despite the daily casualties on both sides of the conflict and the lack of any political strategy to get us out of this mess. Commentators like Johan Hari have complained about the bloody silence at the heart of this election, just as transport commentators have lamented the failure to discuss road pricing and campaigners in London have found their concerns over air pollution being ignored. The Friends of the Earth reaction to the leaders debate was to worry about the lack of any mention of the environment, not even the creation of a green economy based upon investment in free insulation schemes and renewable energy.
A long list of issues has been sidelined as a result of the two horse race electoral system. Many NGOs, trade unions and small business groups have struggled to raise the concerns of their members, as the big two tell them that things will be worse if the other lot get in. I think that a real opportunity is now opening up for people to vote for who they want to, rather than settling for the least worst option. NGOs are providing online tracking the views of the candidates and you can even find websites which enable you to do a simple policy comparison test. All these tools will help you make a decision about which party's policies match your own opinions, but only if the electorate is prepared to vote for a party they like, rather than against a party they don't like.
It is becoming clear to a large section of the population that a hung Parliament is the best solution. The electorate are fed up with being taken for a ride by the main Westminster parties and a hung Parliament seems to reflect a desire for reform. It allows a space for a public debate on real constitutional reform: proportional representation, electing a second chamber, voter recall for MPs and more devolved powers for Scotland, Wales and local authorities. Even a small group of Green Party MPs would make a big impact on a hung Parliament and the debate about reforming our failed system of government. I hope that many of you will seize that opportunity.
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