Theresa May vs Jeremy Corbyn |
June 8 is the date for
the next General Elections in the UK and for the first time in a very
long time, the electorate have genuine options. No more the days of
David Cameron and David Cameron-lite. In Theresa May and Jeremy
Corbyn, UK citizens have two candidates that see the world in almost
entirely different ways and have different visions for it. (I know
there are other candidates and parties in the race but if we are
being honest, most of them are no more than protest votes so I wont
be focusing on them in this post. Maybe next time)
Campaigning has started
in earnest and some supporters of both candidates have already shared
more social media posts than would've been necessary for a nationwide
campaign a few years ago. The intentions to help are undoubted but,
too often, these post are overflowing with bias and just short of
lying. If Theresa May is not being described as 'only interested in
the wealthiest in the nation', Corbyn is described as a feckless and
hopeless leader that is only useful for organising political
protests. The honest truth is that both candidates actually want
similar things for the country, albeit via different paths. But
beyond this, these two are backed by armies of supporters. All
equally convinced that their candidate is the right person for the
job.
It's easy to dismiss
people with opposing views but Brexit and Trump should have taught us
that we would be doing that at our own peril. So, I think it is only
right that consider what supporters really see in the two front
runners.
With Theresa May, her
supporters see a pragmatic and steady politician who has shown
herself to be capable handling high profile positions. From her days
as an opposition MP to her days in government (serving as Home
Secretary and Minister for Women and Equalities), May's supporters
have seen a steady hand. They feel like she will improve on what
exists and that she is genuinely trying to build a society that works
for everybody. Not just the very wealthy.
With Corbyn, many of
Theresa May's supporters see him as a disruptive maverick who is bent
on throwing the baby out with the bath water. His integrity is never
questioned but his ability and desire to lead is always up for
discussion. They see him as a naïve optimist charting new frontiers
that will take the country to somewhere it has never been before and
should never be.
To Corbyn's supporters,
he is something of a messiah. He is the figure head for the
revolution they feel the country has needed for a very long time. The
system is rigged and the Tories are a cancer that only Corbyn can
remove. His track record on issues like the Iraq war and nuclear
weapons is a major plus-point and the issue of leadership qualities
doesn't get much airtime.
Corbyn's supporters see
May as the embodiment of everything that is wrong with the UK
establishment. She is 'more of the same' and a vote for her would be
another reason to despair for the future of the country. They see her
as divisive and only interested in her own personal gains. For
example, some have said even this election is entirely about her and
her personal gain, and nothing to do with the country.
However you look at it,
both sides have valid points. With Brexit and the current state of
world politics, the UK is at a crossroads and needs to decide on how
it wants to define itself for the next generation. May is bent on
building on what we have (whatever you think that is) and Corbyn
wants to put a stop to that. Whatever you think of the options,
please make sure you go out to vote. The only wrong choice here is
not voting at all.
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