well no they aren't the same, but the point about the 3 main parties sharing one general belief system stands.
Also: liberalconspiracy.org/2010/05/13/an-illustration-of-private-school-intake-of-the-new-cabinet/
The above doesn't look particularly good, but is unsurprising for the Tories I suppose. Below is a few links about party funding now that mass membership has collapsed over the last 20 years. Theoretically you are correct about anyone being an MP but I can't see how you can compete with the media exposure the Big Three possess. Edit: just remembered that one Independent did get elected a few years ago, so well done to him.
www.opendemocracy.net/ourkingdom/stuart-weir/uk-party-funding-bite-bullet-or-remain-biased
blogs.lse.ac.uk/politicsandpolicy/2010/11/26/party-funding-reforms-are-overdue-in-the-uk-but-they-should-not-be-rushed/
NuLabour had 13 years and an unprecedented electoral mandate - yet during this time they kowtowed to the likes of NewsCorp and presided over a growth in inequality unseen since the Edwardian period as well as the deregulation of finance. Red, blue or yellow, big business wins.
But you are absolutely correct about us not being America.
Henceforth I promise not to talk party politics here. We come to /links for funtiemz not to be reminded of all this shit. Promise.
(, Mon 17 Oct 2011, 12:26, Reply)