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Which party to join? LibLabCon?

Hi,

First of all I have a few nationalities, and being British is one of them. It's a long story. But to say the least, during my teenage years I moved to Australia and as soon as possible I joined the Labor Party of Australia. I am returning to the UK and politics is a big past time for me though I am at a loss of whom one should join.

Needless to say the most apt description for me is perhaps a Conservative liberal. I do agree that I am a social democrat but that's purely down to the fact that I am a proponent of Post-Keynesianism and modern monetary theory.

This is the reason why I was alienated by the Australian right-wing parties for the most part, because my decision to join a party has always been due to the economic affinity I share with fellow members.

So with the current political climate, I find this more Conservative party more palatable. It has the conservative social stances that I feel quite comfortable towards, although their admiration for Thatcherism is perturbing and there is no doubt that backbenchers are champions of that dogma.

New Labour/Purple Labour seems to be very comfortable though they made some incredible economic blunders during their time. What does concern me with Labour is the fact that Labour does have socialistic tendencies, much more so than the Australian Labor party which I find bearable. I also don't see the fuss about privatisation of NHS. I'm use to paying $71 (£39) to see a GP, and $168 (£92) for my monthly prescriptions. It boggles my mind that seeing a doctor in the UK is free. Healthcare should be affordable always though. I just do not like the idea of Milliband, or future Labour leaders moving more left. Purple Labour is fine, but anything more left concerns me.

Liberal-Democrats despite the obliteration that they have done to themselves. It was reported that 25% of the Libdems that took a poll identified themselves at Keynesians, and 34% as social democrat. It is the part that was once the SDP which Lord Skidelsky was affiliated to. Also giants like Lloyd George and William Beveridge were members. Despite being socially conservative I can put up with social liberal policies as long as the party is on the similar economic stance. I know this party has made U-turns like no tomorrow, like the bedroom tax, which to be honest I don't see the problem with the bedroom tax.

So I quite disaffected by the three parties although Libdems do seem to support the EU, which is a good thing, and we really do need to stand beside Germany and France and be one of the leaders in the EU.

Also I still today would not say no to joining the Eurozone on the condition that Maastricht was altered and changed the dynamic of the ECB. The problem with the Euro never was the gulf of the economy of European nations, but in fact the terms, and limitations the ECB had on the currency. Until the rules of the Eurozone change I will still argue for the £, but I would not rule out the €.

Also every political test puts me as a centrist or a centre-left on the economic spectrum, with slight tendencies of conservatism. So I'd be open to people's suggestions. :smile: