Channel 4 News is running a public-led vote to find the "most inspiring political personality of the last decade” and the Countryside Alliance is in the running - the poll is open until the 18th and you can cast your vote via email here http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/po...te/1300447

It would be great if the rural vote topped the poll!

The shortlist is:

1. Tony Blair
2. Ian Paisley and Martin McGuiness
3. Ken Livingstone
4. Alex Salmond
5. The Countryside Alliance
6. Anti-Iraq war protestors

Can't see anyone there that I would vote for, least of all the "countryside alliance". Now if were the WORST political personality, then it would be difficult to choose between Tony Blair and the "countryside alliance"!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Hi Hectorkipling, welcome to the forums. Perhaps you could post some reasons why we should vote for the countryside alliance?

This post was last modified: 14-01-2008 06:03 PM by Xeract.

I have to say (I know, it's a political poll, so it can't be avoided) that I would vote for anti-Iraq war protestors. Perhaps, as Xeract has suggested, you could give us some reasons why we should vote for the Countryside Alliance?

Kingfisher

The link doesn't seam to go anywhere. I don't see how either 'The Countryside Alliance' or the 'anti-Iraq war protesters' can be classed as a personality, but given the six listed, I find them all very very uninspiring with the exception the anti-Iraq war protesters.

Hi All, thanks for the welcome.

It does seem strange that the Countryside Alliance has been classed as a "personality", but I think they deserve the vote because they have kept rural issues high profile for the last decade and made rural people aware that they have a voice - surely that's quite inspiring? In general terms the Alliance fights its corner in a fearless way and doesn't pander to politicians, which is a quality sorely needed.

Specifically I think there are many reasons to vote for them, from the right to roam to the Animal Welfare Act, the ongoing battle against Post Office closures and fly-tipping and their support for country sports - I think the Alliance is the only rural organisation with such wide interests. And I think voting for them would be healthy - it would show Parliamentarians that there are people willing to tell the truth even though spin and vagueness seem to have taken over!

http://www.channel4.com/news/articles/po...te/1300447

Regards, HK

So you consider that the needless slaughter of wild animals is something important to keep alive?

I agree with the right to roam, and of course the animal welfare act is something to be supported. Personally I don't agree with country sports, but as it is such a wide ranging organisations I will put some thought into it and see whether I'd like to vote. The anti-war protestors have the right message too.

I don't agree with country "sports" either. Killing animals to me is not a sport, but I do understand everyone has a different view on it.

That being said, you do a lot of great work for the countryside, and while not strictly a personality, I hope you do well in the poll.

How anyone in their right mind can vote for any politician - whatever their persuasion - is beyond me, especially if they love wildlife and the environment! And anyone who has voted for Blair and the Labour Party over the last ten years should be downright ruddy ashamed of themselves!!!

Did anyone watch The Natural World on BBC2 Friday night? "Earth Pilgrim" - Satish Kumar hit the nail on the head for me - and I hope others who saw the programme. Watch, listen and learn!!!

I watched that Satish kumar programme and like you thought it was a wonderful programme and a real incentive for me to want to visit Dartmoor! I wouldn't vote for any of the above mentioned they are all as bad as each other.

I didn't see the Earth Pilgrim, any chance of a quick summary of what he said?

This is for Bill/Red Deer. Satish Kumar tried to point out that both wildlife and humans are part of nature, although you wouldn't think that if you listened to most humans! We think that we are superior to all other forms of nature, destroying everything in our path and "take, take, take". We may be at the top of the food chain, but we sure as hell are rock bottom of the intelligence chain! We must learn to live alongside wildlife and the environment - treat both with respect, etc.

It was such an inspiring programme, Bill and anyone else interested can read all about it and the man himself here: http://www.resurgence.org/resurgence/ADMIN/media.htm

This post was last modified: 30-01-2008 12:46 AM by Goldfinch.

So, you were "inspired " too were you, Goldfinch. Yes, that was the appropriate word - inspiring! And uplifting too. I taped it and whenever I feel a little gloomy or the weather prevents me from going for a walk - I put it on. Take care Goldfinch (goldfinches coming into my garden in huge numbers in recent months - never came here before).