Fickle Voters By Mark Pollard

I watched a TV programme the other night about the seemingly endless, unaccounted and under-investigated murder of scores of young women by street gangs in Guatemala. As a father of three girls myself it was heart-breaking stuff that made me thankful to live in the UK; the 'scandal' of John Prescott shagging his secretary hardly seems to matter by comparison. Maybe everyone should have watched it. Then they could have taken the opportunity to develop some perspective on the supposed 'mess' that our country apparently finds itself in. The endless whingeing about how bad life is in the UK was made manifest by the recent local election results, which suggest that the stunningly fickle British public look like they're now ready to boot Labour out after nine years in power.

This is despite the fact that we had 18 years of judgemental, pugnacious, rampant free-market government led by the harridan Thatcher, before people got sick of the inequality and subsequent social problems that such self-centred ideology inevitably gives rise to (sadly, it was soon obvious that they got sick of it for entirely self-centred reasons). Unfortunately, 'New' Labour quickly proved to be little more than a collection of centre-ground free-marketeers, albeit with slightly more liberal leanings and social consciences than their reactionary Tory predecessors.

Now that the Conservatives have edged leftwards into the centre ground, the colour of the political landscape is no longer a clear split between blue/right and red/left, but simply an indistinct purple splodge sat with its huge backside spilling out in whatever direction it feels necessary to appease the increasingly malleable voting public.

The big question now, of course, is who will the electorate give power to next time around? Surely they're not going to buy David Cameron's fresh-faced and earnest attempts at convincing us that he's a New (Green) Tory? The guy doesn't even look convinced himself; his background puts him on even shakier ground in this respect. Anyway, haven't that lot had their day all too recently? What about the Lib Dems? Well, maybe it's not a purple splodge after all - what do blue, red and yellow make when mixed together? Let's face it - they're just sat in the middle with the rest of them. Who, other than the PR Johnnies who write the manifestos (didn't politicians do that themselves once upon a time?), can tell the difference between the three main parties any more. I can't.

So, if you're going to dump the main parties, what are the alternatives? Sadly, there will always be that bitter and narrow-minded bunch who will plump for the extreme right policies of thugs-in-disguise like the BNP. Hopefully we can keep them at bay collectively. UKIP and Veritas appear to be watered-down, slightly less malevolent occupants of the same worrying right-wing territory and would probably be hijacked by the extremists if ever it looked like they were making genuine political ground, in the same way that bonehead National Front supporters covertly re-aligned themselves with the 'family-friendly' BNP. It's a thin disguise, Mr Griffin.

So what about the Greens? Too wacky? Their recent party election broadcast also suggested an inability to recruit someone who could operate a TV camera with any degree of polish - something that the media-savvy politicians and flash young suits of the mainstream parties would use as an indication that they couldn't possibly be trusted with real power. However, I think it's time we took a chance with the only bunch who look as if they care about what happens to us in the longer-term. It's not all about economic growth and bogus asylum-seekers, folks; in fact, they're mere side-shows. These things will count for nothing when we're up to our necks in melted glacier water. I suggest you vote to save the planet; we can sort the other problems out later.

Opinions - If The Council Won't Sort This Out, We Will By Pete Stitt
	I felt it was only fair to give the readers of thisisull an update of non-events since the issue of Arts Council grants, Council and other funding for multicultural events was raised by one anonymous writer and half of the Kurdish community in Hull. I think we have waited long enough for 'stage two' of this saga. I sent several emails to Ken Branson, who I know to be an honourable man, and he Read more...

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	Every day now we read more and more New Labour sleaze stories. Cash for knighthoods, offshore accounts for ministers, weapons of mass destruction which never existed to name but a few. I could go on with tough on crime, and the causes of crime. When magistrates have now been told not to even jail offenders. You can rob, rape or kill by dangerous driving and expect no Read more...

Opinions - Hull City Council 2006 - Changing Or Caging Us? By Gregory Anderson
	Hull City Council is changing. Having recently improved its rating infinity percent -from zero stars to one star - a new council seems to be evolving. Into what, you may ask? An aggressive political powerhouse to empower the people? Or an experiment of existential dustbin policy? Whatever this nameless Hullian perceives the council's policies to be, recent history says one thing is Read more...

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	Do you find junk mail bellicose nonsense? Same here. Amusing? At times, yes. Annoying? Always, I agree. So are you yet to experience the silent delight of receiving Wanadoo's broadband advertisement through your letterbox? Do you want to know how junk mail could make you smile? Read on. An established internet company, Wanadoo proclaim Read more...

Opinions - Response To Criticism Of The Night Shift And The Hull Blokes By Ian Ahmed Newton
	Regarding Steven Greendale's criticism of the Hull Blokes which I understand included some comments about one of my books, The Night Shift. I would say to Mr Greendale, that if you live in Hull, we have enough people outside this city who like to take a knock at those who are trying to promote the city. I also believe that we have many in power within this city who have also done little Read more...

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	I would like to thank the Editor of Hami Kurd magazine for waking me from a sort of self-imposed coma this week. I had walked away from the local asylum situation, completely disillusioned, as loads of middle class white (and ethnic minority) English individuals and organisations came flooding into the 'industry' when it became clear there were funding opportunities. Read more...

Opinions - Praise For Ian Newton's The Night Shift By Andy Brown
	I am formerly from Hull and my daughter still lives there. I keep up with events going on with help of your website. It's great. I saw that stuff about The Night Shift book by Ian Newton. My daughter sent me a copy for Christmas and all I can say is that this book almost gave me a hernia with laughter. I have never read a book so funny and so spot on about working night shifts. Read more...

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	Well, this post reminded me of a railway station at midnight, where the only inhabitants are drunken tramps spitting out a string of semi-coherent invective. I really don't see how you can criticise anyone else Joe, when you come off sounding like an unbalanced style-less dumbfuck. I bet your keyboard took a hammering there as you released your ultimate weapon . . . Read more...

Opinions - Response To Steven Greendale's Article By Mark Pollard
	To Steven Greendale: You're a bright lad, aren't you? Firstly, you accuse Anthony Newlyne of taking a poke at Ian Newton's book The Night Shift, when Newlyne's enjoyment of and respect for Newton's work is made quite clear despite the article being somewhat ironic in parts. How could you not have understood this, Mr Greendale? Can't you read properly? Secondly, you have a Read more...

Opinions - The King Is Dead...Again By Joe Hakim
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Opinions - Hull By Wesy G

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Opinions - Three Piece Bands By Rob Aarosin

	I thought I would send some feedback about an old article which I stumbled on whilst looking round your site. It relates to Nick Quantrill's Pave - Linnet and Lark 05 February 2004 music/pavenicklinet.html review (yes I know its old but I really thought I should comment on what was said), especially the part where he claimed there were/are not really any Read more...

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