The Japanese Election Shows That Arrogant Political Elites Are Eventually Punished

I noted from the news this morning that the party which has dominated Japanese politics for about 52 years has been decimated in the most recent Japanese election. It has been driven out of areas where it has been dominant since the war. An urgent desire for change has moved a complacent governing party out of office.

I'm not saying that there are many analogies between Japanese and British politics. What the result does show however is that parties that take voters for granted are eventually punished. Once a desire for change reaches a certain point, a tidal wave of change sweeps arrogant politicians away.

As I have said before, the Labour Party in the North East has become arrogant, complacent and distant from the people it is supposed to represent. So many of the people I have spoken to have made quite clear that they have had quite enough of the Labour Party taking us for granted. They are ready to vote Conservative and vote for real change at the next election. They are supporting candidates such as me who are passionate about the region and independent of the arrogant Labour elite that has let down the area for long enough.

The Japanese example shows that heartlands are never permanent and the voters will always punish politicians who take the people for granted.