Cambridge dining halls: a place for heated political discussionHuangcjz

There’s no denying the fact that humans are inherently a tribal species. Whether we’re viewing it on a global scale, with a worrying increase in fervent nationalism and patriotism, or closer to home, with the Oxford vs Cambridge rivalry and even college pride, there seems to be something within us that compels us to band together. Something based on mutual similarity. The same can be said for politics.

A friend of mine came to stay with me in Cambridge for a few nights at the beginning of term. On the way home from an evening spent in the pub, he remarked that he had counted four separate political discussions that had been sparked in just a three-hour window. Of course, it’s fantastic that we Cambridge students are immersing ourselves in politics (even if it is, as in my case, a procrastination method). For many of us, the imminent general election will be the first time that we will have the opportunity to exercise our right to vote. Naturally, it’s going to generate some excitement. And as a result of this, we are wearing our colours with pride: be they red, blue, yellow, green or purple.

One thing it is crucial to avoid, though, is political pigeonholing. By this, I’m referring to the use of one’s vote as some sort of label. For many, political allegiance is becoming more than just where on the ballot paper you’re marking your cross: it can become a part of you, ingrained in your personality, aligned with all the other traits you hold dear. Consequently, this can cause the broad generalisation of others according to their political views. If you’re voting Conservative, you’re either sensible or heartless. Voting Labour? You’re idealistic and frivolous. Not to mention the ‘commie’ Greens, or the racist UKIPers.

So what is the impact of branding people according to who they most want to see in Number 10? Well, for starters, it creates a social stigma around expressing one’s political opinions. According to a survey by YouGov, 62% of Labour voters said they would be proud to tell their family who they are voting for, compared to just 53% of those voting Conservative, and 42% of those planning to vote Lib Dem. The question is, what is it about voting for a particular party that can make people feel embarrassed or ashamed? As a free and democratic society, is it really fair that there are people who feel reluctant to share their opinions, due to the stigma attached to them?

I can’t say I don’t understand the feeling. Being in such a politically active environment as Cambridge means that not a day goes by where the election isn’t discussed, and the clear left-right divide becomes stark. Of course, as anybody who knows me will understand, I love a good political discussion. But after a point, constantly trying to defend yourself becomes exhausting. It’s incredibly unsettling to sit down for a meal in the buttery, only to be bombarded with arguments for austerity by your Tory friends, or listening to the hard-line Labour voters protesting against the evils of the bedroom tax.

Furthermore, failing to separate your political views from your personality by putting yourself in a political ‘camp’ can alienate you from the ideas that you actually agree with. People have a habit of dismissing ideas just because they come from the ‘other side’. For example, the fact that you’re choosing to vote Lib Dem doesn’t mean that you agree with their raising of the tuition fees. Personally, I will be voting Labour this election, but I am doing so despite the fact that I disagree with their inheritance tax, and the potential effect it will have on my family. Of course, you aren’t going to agree with every policy in a party’s manifesto, and it would be rash not to consider every single one irrespective of ‘who says it’.

Of course, with one of the most important elections for generations, there is going to be a lot of mud flinging going on. It’s inevitable. But when you have casted your vote, make sure you have done it for a party and ideology you truly care about, and have made a well-thought-through decision. Voting Conservative? Great. Good for you. But don’t do so purely on the basis that you want to separate yourself from a straw man that you have made of the opposition.

@millayayay