On the eve of the General Election, Billy Bragg has promoted a way to shake up British politics and make the Liberal Democrats the official opposition to the government.
Singer-songwriter Bragg posted a thread earlier today (July 3) in which he advised voting tactically in order to make the Lib Dems the UK’s second-largest party. The overwhelming prediction is that the Labour Party will win a large majority in the election – and could win by a landslide – with most pollsters predicting that the incumbent Conservative Party will finish a rather distant second.
However, it could turn out that another party, most likely the Lib Dems, ends up with the highest amount of seats after Labour. As Bragg began his thread: “Everyone knows Labour are going to win the election, but if you’re feeling like there’s no point in voting as the outcome is a foregone conclusion, I’d like to draw your attention to something really radical that is on offer tomorrow.”
He continued: “The opportunity to consign the Tories into third place in parliament. If the Liberal Democrats win more seats than the Tories, they will become the official opposition. That will give the LibDems the right to six questions a week at PMQs. 17 opposition days to push their agenda and hold votes and first right of reply to the King’s Speech.
“Issues such as Brexit, voting reform and the environment would get greater prominence.”
the opportunity to consign the Tories into third place in parliament. If the Liberal Democrats win more seats than the Tories, they will become the official opposition. That will give the LibDems the right to six questions a week at PMQs, 2/8
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) July 3, 2024
Impartiality rules will require media outlets to ask the LibDems to comment on Labour’s performance in office. In short, it will be the LibDems holding Labour to account while the Tories fume from the sidelines. 4/8
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) July 3, 2024
Bragg described it as a “once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to kick the Tories into third place”, but explains that it can only happen if people vote tactically – in other words, voting for the candidate most likely to beat the Conservative candidate in their constituency, even if it means not voting for their favourite or usual party.
He also pointed out that, with tactical voting, a number of high-profile Tory MPs could lose their seats. These include former Prime Minister Liz Truss, former Home Secretary Suella Braverman, and even current Prime Minister Rishi Sunak.
Bragg finished: “I realise many of you out there are frustrated with the choices you’re being offered by both Labour and the LibDems. But surely we can agree that they are preferable to the Tories? If you live in a constituency with a sitting Conservative MP, as I do, please use this tactical voting website to find out how best to utilise your vote to push the Tories into third place on Thursday and change the balance of power in parliament for a generation. Spread the word!”
He then shared a link to the StopTheTories.Vote website, which advises people on who to vote for should they not want the Conservatives to win their constituency tomorrow.
Liz Truss, Jacob Rees-Mogg, Ian Duncan Smith, Suella Braverman and Kimi Badenoch could all lose their seats. There is even a possibility that Rishi Sunak could be defeated, the first time ever that a sitting prime minister has been kicked out of parliament. 6/8
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) July 3, 2024
please use this tactical voting website to find out how best to utilise your vote to push the Tories into third place on Thursday and change the balance of power in parliament for a generation. Spread the word! 8/8 https://t.co/pEptRxGreZ
— Billy Bragg (@billybragg) July 3, 2024
Folk-punk star Bragg is never short of a bit of political commentary, and last week spoke to NME at Glastonbury about the festival’s Left Field stage, which he helps to organise each year.
He said, speaking about the subjects the stage focused on this year, “There’s a general election coming [on July 4], and that’s why we’re looking at these issues,” Bragg told NME. “Housing, immigration, accountability – we’re looking at trans rights as well. Lee Anderson said that the Tories don’t have any policies left and they’d fight the election on trans issues and culture wars.”
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