Political faux pas

I try not to talk politics with my parents, although sometimes the temptation to stir a little is far too great and I just can't seem to help myself.

My father, you see, is very supportive of all my beliefs. As long as they coincide with his own, which does make the discussion of anything political a very delicate matter indeed.

In 1996 I once made the mistake of voting for a party my father loathed. I was a student at the time and so the party promising lower tuition fees, tax cuts and an increase in healthcare spending won my vote. My father, a staunch Conservative based purely on his business acumen (as opposed to any personal beliefs apparently) was horrified.

Last October on a visit home the subject came up at a dinner party, the ensuing argument,with my mother red faced, my father stony faced, our guests silent and my sister and I holding our ground, ended in a stalemate.

Surely, we argued, you raised us to have our own beliefs and to fight for what we believe in?

As long as it's not a liberal or socialist government, apparently. We Marquise are very stubborn.

My father still smarts a bit (although I know he is also very proud) of the fact I chose to work for the news site I did. His father was Labour through and through, and a very close friend of James Callaghan. My father still has books signed "From Uncle Jimmy". So how and why he took up the blue banner I am never sure. And I've learned it's better not to ask.

And now, the Conservatives have won the Canadian elections, albeit on a minority. But a Conservative Government after all.

I'm dreading speaking to my father about it, as I'm not sure how much of a benefit Harper will be (although kudos on the GST, boyo) and I'm wondering how long it will take for him to snuggle up to Blair and Bush.

I think Cathy summed it up the best with her final line.

Please don't fuck it up.