Disabled people ‘have been betrayed’
So what else is new...
A community for people who self-identify as having a disability - physical, mental, neurological, or otherwise.
Disabled people ‘have been betrayed’
So what else is new...
Story of ~~my~~ our life
The interesting thing is. As of a 2023 report. 24% of the UK has a disability.
So even if we assume 50% of that number do not consider themselves disabled. That is still a sizable voting block.
It more a matter of actually agreeing with each other and standing up for that ideal.
Maybe it is time for a disability political party. One issue parties have managed a lot. Green. The other one I have no desire to advertise but has managed more.
We were being attacked and blamed by the last gov. And the current one is only less vocal about their actions. But def have no better plans.
Maybe it really is time to stop depending on multissue parties to stand up for our needs. And to instead make it clear for ourselves.
I wonder. The non-proportional voting system really sucks for niche parties though.
Maybe something else could be a disability pledge? Although it’s obviously far less effective.
It does. But it can also be an advantage. When people are willing to vote on a single issue. Bigger parties fear the loss of votes more than in a proportional system.
Green never got a huge % of votes. 2MPs is the highest number (I think). But long before they had any MPs, larger parties adopted the issue rather than lose votes.
And that one I won't advertise. Forced and won a referendum with 0 MPs. I may hate their cause. But they were able to effect politics with way less votes. Than disability advocates both able and disabled exist.
I hate FPTP as far as its ability to represent the desires of a democratic society. But for single issues. It actually can help smaller populations gain a voice.
EDIT: I honestly think just forming a serious party would raise enough publicity. That the 3 big parties would panic. Despite Tories recent pre-election attack on disabled, Most voters really only notice the issues when they see it with family members. Having a couple of elections where a party is running while pointing out the broken promises plus challenging past negative attacks from political parties. Can you really see either the Tories or Labour openly disagreeing with a rational argument on this? Their options in n election will be to lie, deny intent to harm. Or ignore us.
There really is no shortage of data that can be used to gain support. And our own population alone is all we would need to scare the larger parties away from ignoring such a party.
The hardest part would be raising the money to get started. The community has no shortage of able/skilled voices. It's convincing them to fight for an agreed platform that would be difficult.
Good point
Yeah. Unfortunately, I do not think I'd make a good politician.
Need to find someone with a bit more personality (and less mental depression/ugly mug). To start such a group. I'd likely be a background worker.