UK Politicking as an American Student
Hello everyone, Patrick here (North American Ambassador). I hope everyone had a wonderful New Year celebration and an awesome 2014 holiday season!
In the US, we've had a major shift in politics, with a complete change in control of both the House and the Senate. Congress is now under the control of the GOP (aka Republican Party) and we are seeing a renewed interest in politics in the US. Interestingly enough, this will be my first time in the UK during a general election. It's all very exciting, as I've never really witnessed a major political event that is UK wide. I was here for the Scottish Referendum and had a ball rooting for ... in the Grad Bar until 1am. It was fun and interesting to be a witness to such a monumental and historic event.
What is interesting about this upcoming election is how UK politics have changed since I arrived to Britain. It is interesting how polarised this country's political system has become; yet it is not. There is an underlying antipathy towards political activism, but there is not. People are adamant that they will support (or won't) this party or that one; but are not overly fussed or bothered about the election. Coming from the US, where politics is a sporting event and there should really be things like 'Fantasy US Congress' and the Presidential Election is watched in a similar manner to the Superbowl, the UK's antipathetic activism is striking to me. I don't mean to use antipathy in a negative sense. In fact, coming from the in-your-face political scene of the USA, it is a welcome change. I wish we could be as laid back about our politics as the Brits seemingly are.
Anyhow. Good luck Tories, Labour, Lib Dems, UKIP and Greens. 2015 should make for an interesting political season! Next year we Americans will be frantically determining our new POTUS (president of the US), but this year I will sit back and enjoy the show.
Patrick
In the US, we've had a major shift in politics, with a complete change in control of both the House and the Senate. Congress is now under the control of the GOP (aka Republican Party) and we are seeing a renewed interest in politics in the US. Interestingly enough, this will be my first time in the UK during a general election. It's all very exciting, as I've never really witnessed a major political event that is UK wide. I was here for the Scottish Referendum and had a ball rooting for ... in the Grad Bar until 1am. It was fun and interesting to be a witness to such a monumental and historic event.
What is interesting about this upcoming election is how UK politics have changed since I arrived to Britain. It is interesting how polarised this country's political system has become; yet it is not. There is an underlying antipathy towards political activism, but there is not. People are adamant that they will support (or won't) this party or that one; but are not overly fussed or bothered about the election. Coming from the US, where politics is a sporting event and there should really be things like 'Fantasy US Congress' and the Presidential Election is watched in a similar manner to the Superbowl, the UK's antipathetic activism is striking to me. I don't mean to use antipathy in a negative sense. In fact, coming from the in-your-face political scene of the USA, it is a welcome change. I wish we could be as laid back about our politics as the Brits seemingly are.
Anyhow. Good luck Tories, Labour, Lib Dems, UKIP and Greens. 2015 should make for an interesting political season! Next year we Americans will be frantically determining our new POTUS (president of the US), but this year I will sit back and enjoy the show.
Patrick
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