Are the Great British Public Awakening?

I never thought I'd say it, but I think for the first time in a very long time, the public are becoming politically aware. Thanks to the misdeeds being done in Parliament, the public are quite rightly angry and looking for ways of chastising MPs and sending a message. Currently the question is: what can we do about it?

Well, unfortunately, we can't sack our MPs immediately. Thats a flaw in the system that really needs to be sorted out, the same as the aparrent lack of authority MPs have for sacking the speaker Michael Martin. But thats digressing a bit.

The first thing people can do is get active and involved in politics: find your MP's email address at http://www.theyworkforyou.com There you can find out what your current MP is up to, get their email address and send them a message. Get to know them, ask them why they are voting the way they are voting, or tell them which way you want them to vote. They are your representative in Parliament, they should listen to you. If they don't, then exercise you right to hire and fire at the next election.

If you do want to do a bit of firing at the next election, then read and learn about the various candidates and their options. For those like me who hate party politics, then look at your local independant candidate. Make a decision and vote for your choice at the next general election.

A good bit of practice is coming up in the EU elections in June: if you hate the main parties, instead of voting Labour, Conservative or Liberal, check out one of the other independant parties. You have a choice of UKIP, Libertas, Green, Jury Team.... any one of a number of parties. You could even vote BNP which would give the main parties the biggest, scariest message of all.

The next general election is supposed to be next year, although I'm still adamant it will be a lot earlier. If you can't wait that long, email your MP... tell them that you can't wait until next year, you want the chance to sort things out NOW. Tell them you want them to lobby all the other MPs to push for an immediate general election. David Cameron has a petition here you can sign asking for an immediate election. Just because its a Tory site, don't be put off signing the petition. If the petition gets enough numbers, is successful and an election is called, on election day you can vote for whoever you want.