Another brink

How should Labour supporters react to poll findings suggesting that Thursday's elections for the European Parliament may see the highest turnout in 30 years, and that Labour will do badly out of this because the anger producing the higher turnout is directed more at the governing party than at its competitors? With mixed feelings, I suppose - though I will have no mixed feelings, only negative ones, if UKIP and/or the BNP profit from Labour losses. But what I mean is that it is a good sign if, after the expenses scandal, there is sufficient public disquiet directed against the present government and parliament that people want to express this anger with their vote, thereby trying to hasten the day when there can be a general election - to say nothing of a new leader of the Labour party to replace the disaster that Gordon Brown has manifestly become. On Thursday, therefore, I shall be going out to vote, glad at the idea that there may be more voters turning out than usual - and I'll be voting Labour as always. Is there self-contradiction in that? Possibly, but if so it's endemic in the democratic process itself. Amongst the political choices on offer I retain my allegiance to Labour - despite everything, and with an eye as usual on the prospect of a better future Labour government - but this choice is made within the context of a democratic system in which the electorate must be able to give its verdict on how its representatives have lately discharged their obligations in office.