What would make you vote Labour again?

11/06/2009

We ask readers if there's anything that would bring them back to a party in disarray

Gordon Brown is still PM despite the plots to oust him by his own party and Labour’s crushing defeats in council and European elections.
We ask readers what would bring them back to a party that could once count on support in Scotland for granted...

Iain: I always voted Labour, but they had 10 years in Scotland and haven’t done enough. At least Alex Salmond seems to have a few ideas so I’ll stick with the SNP for the time being. I’m not sure I’ll ever go back to Labour. There’s no one who could replace Gordon Brown and make any difference as far as I can see.

Julia: I didn’t vote at the European elections – it’s a waste of time. Labour have had their chance and it’s all downhill for them now.
Iain & Julia McLeod
69 & 70, both retired, Glasgow

I don’t think it’s fair that Gordon Brown is taking all the blame. All these MPs have been up to no good, so why should he bear the brunt of all the unpopularity? People should be patient and wait for the economy to improve. I think I trust Labour more than the other parties, and so long as they sort themselves out I’d rather vote for them when I get the chance.
Mithi Ahmed
17, student, Glasgow

The expenses thing is so annoying. If there was the tiniest of differences in my expenses at work, I’d be out the door. It’s made me even more cynical about politicians than I already was. All they do is argue and slag each other off. My family vote Tory and I suppose David Cameron would at least be a change. There’s nothing Labour or Gordon Brown could do now to make me vote for them. Their time is up.
Martin McKillop
24, bank employee, Edinburgh

I didn’t vote for Labour this time, but I’d actually rather stick with Gordon Brown and Labour at the next general election. They’ve done a lot for the people of Scotland, with schools, hospitals and care for the elderly. At the moment a lot of people are thinking rather them than the Tories, but if they clean up the expenses properly I could get more enthusiastic again.
Alex Binney
57, unemployed, Glasgow

I voted Labour when Tony Blair was around – the presentation was so overwhelming it made it seem like they were doing a good job. But I wouldn’t vote Labour again. I think the SNP are doing a cracking job. They’ve been able to freeze council tax at a difficult time, and have done well to fight for a bigger budget for Scotland. Gordon Brown is stuck with such a stigma now, I don’t see how he can possibly recover. He can’t even smile without looking scary.
Brian Houston
23, actor, Glasgow

I don’t think I’d be able to vote for Labour for quite a while. I was excited in 1997 when Blair seemed like a fresh start. But I don’t think they’ve done enough – all I see are more taxes and not enough benefit from paying them. It’s time for them to step aside and give some else a chance. Unfortunately, one of the alternatives is the Tories and Cameron, who seems a bit sleazy. I actually like Gordon Brown, but it doesn’t say much for his party if they’re all out to get him.
Shirley Reade
35, accountant, Aberdeen

I grew up in a Labour stronghold in Caerphilly, near Cardiff. Having known some of the local politicians there, I wouldn’t trust them, and I haven’t voted for Labour for years. It’s partly the complacency, and it’s become a profession for them rather than a sense of serving the people. They have to reconnect with people and realise that everyone’s going through a hard time. With the NHS, I’d like them to stop the constant reorganisation and cut us free of targets.
Derek Richards
50, works for the NHS in Glasgow

I still like Gordon Brown. His heart’s in the right place. He’s better than Blair, but he’s not been marketed in the same way. These days, everyone’s so hung up on what you look like. Perhaps if Brown got a spray tan and his teeth done people would vote for him!

God help us if Cameron gets in – he’s so sickly smooth. But when it boils down to it, I’m not convinced he could steer us through the recession the way Brown is trying to. I’m not sure if there’s any policy agenda that will convince people to vote for Gordon Brown. But it would be good enough reason to vote for him if he steered us through the recession.
Sarah Shimmen
42, mental health project manager, Edinburgh