For the last few weeks, I have been thinking long and hard. Deeply looking within. Unhappy with how things are within politics.

Labour lost me. Not because they’re red. And not simply for one clear reason. They just don’t feel socialist and centre-left. They’re closer to the Conservative party than at any other point in my lifetime. They’ve become a party that fights inwardly and blocks good leaders stepping up. They’ve also let the cost of living crisis slide. And when people struggle they’re vulnerable and divided. That’s how the Fascist right side of politics of the UK has been allowed a greater voice.

Regarding immigration, Labour have whored themselves to populism. Rather than stand with humanity, they’ve gone for the reshuffle method of playing into short-term distractions and showing no cojónes. Like many, I can’t seem to fathom out what ambitions and drive the Prime Minister Keir Starmer  displays or shares. They say he’s ruthless and charismatic, yet he has often appeared in crisis.

Options for the Denton and Gorton (and Burnage and Longsight) constituency since the disgraced Andrew Gwynne departed were limited. Voting Sir Oink A-Lot was instantly dismissed. His satirical party, The Monster Raving Loony party, share my age. Not my vote. Advance UK sounds like a pharmacy, yet are a far right party ran by a British-Pakistani, Ben Habib. I don’t do the far right. I strongly believe the far right stand against cultures mixing and the world progressing for the benefit of humanity. I very much subscribe to Blues Brothers’ mantra, “I hate Illinois Nazis.”

I won’t vote the Liberal Democrats, despite their boisterous fun loving leadership, since they formed a coalition with the Tory Bastards™ and would probably send Sir Oink A-Lot to former Prime Minister David Cameron. The tentacles of doom wrap deep. Rejoin EU, nope, as it’s too costly and that boat is flogged, so probably better to reciprocate deals with other nations and have a lighter EU version for now. Communist League? Give over. SDP are too right wing socially, so no thanks. The Libertarian Party would be a wasted vote. Although, in 2008, they promoted literacy by sending a copy of George Orwell’s 1984 to every sitting MP. It had a note, “this book was a warning, not a blueprint”.

I did my homework on the Greens, their candidate, Hannah Spencer, complete with skeletons in her closet. She plumbs and I need the toilet fixing. In all seriousness, a technical mind, one that knows the area, and she has a good record at Trafford Council. There’s something that the Greens and Hannah Spencer have brought to this bitter campaign and that’s a sense of hope. Manchester has been built on radicals. We can’t go on the way things have been going on. More of the same? No thanks. Shake the apple cart.

Even with Reform U.K.’s right wing Matt Goodwin A.K.A. “a concerned neighbour” lurking in the shadows, I chose to abandon Labour and the Co-operative Party. So, I voted Green. More as a protest vote. Will I vote Labour again? Only if better comes. Until then I’ll follow my heart and mind.