Don W and MtheGM,

I don't believe that the Tories get in, over and over again, for any particularly rational reason. They get in because many people's politics don't extend much beyond: "People of a lower social status than me are 'getting more' than I think they're entitled to and the (right wing, hence authoritarian) Tories will punish them for it". Their 'thinking' of course doesn't extend any further than that (i.e. if the Tories punish the 'unworthy', what happens then?). I heard some woman expound this 'philosophy' on the radio this morning and the Tory candidate in her area say: "I hear this over again on the dorstep" (presumably along with the equally moronic, "I don't vote").

I don't have any time for New Labour either. They have also proved to be authoritarian and controlling with a hypocritical 'caring' gloss.

I'm voting Lib Dem - mainly because they have done more for my local area and community than the other parties.