This weekend I participated in the briefest of twitter dialogues with a few Labour supporters in my constituency. Their line was that only Labour was opposed to the coalition and so it was vital to vote Labour at the General Election. I challenged this pointing out that Caroline Lucas MP is also opposed to the coalition. There was a short exchange in response to my challenge involving several tweeters, most of whom were Labour supporters on the merits of my view. I was very disappointed at the failure of the folk concerned to point out any of the benefits of Labour over Greens, in the place of what seemed to be essentially a rejection of the Greens simply on the grounds that they are not the Labour Party.

Once the Referendum is over and the arguments about the outcome of the votes in different parts of Scotland, and discussions about the powers that will be transferred to Holyrood, our political discussions will return to the forthcoming General Election. It may be a forlorn hope but it is not too late for the parties and candidates participating to adopt a constructive, positive campaign based on the qualities of the candidate and the policies of the party (or the benefit of an Independent if that is what we are faced with). After 3 months of a Yes/No campaign that has sunk to some very negative positions, the parties in Westminster could learn from the worst elements. Sadly I suspect they will be spurred on by what they have been engaged in North of the border and we will continue to get fear and negativity in increasingly large doses.

I am not alone in wanting a different form of political discourse and a more positive campaign as we choose the next Government. However I get the impression that the Parties have not heard our cry!