GP Taylor: I can't vote for anyone in this election, because I just don't trust our politicians anymore

IT was one of those late night reality cop programmes that seriously got me thinking of what a state this country has fallen into. There was the young thug being arrested for 28 burglaries, car theft and dangerous driving.

The presenter proudly said that for his crimewave he got the full force of the law thrown at him and was put in prison for 18 months. In the next scene, the programme moved to the USA. Again the events followed a car chase and the arrest for which the man was imprisoned for 10 years.

Suddenly, I realised that we in Britain are getting a raw deal.

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The next morning, the news excitedly said we were to face an election. I still had the Labour promise of "Tough on crime – tough on the causes of crime" echoing through my head. I knew that in reality they have never been tough on crime. In fact, the only thing they are tough on is getting rid of the traditional British way of life.

It is so sad to see that this once traditional party of the working class is now filled with Notting Hill luvvies and trendy 20-somethings intent on changing the cultural landscape of this country forever. They do not represent the working class as they are parachuted in to northern constituencies. I would suggest that the only time they ever meet the working class is when they dine at The Ivy or give the binman his Christmas tip.

Not that the Conservative Party seem to be any better. In fact, I don't think I can vote for anyone in this election. It is simply because I don't trust them anymore.

They will court my vote and promise the world, but underneath I know they don't really care for me at all. Power corrupts, Parliament corrupts absolutely.

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What I cannot understand is why Yorkshire doesn't have its own regional political party. With a population nearing four million we have more people living here than in Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland.

In Wales, there are two million people and yet they have their own assembly that controls much of their way of life. I find it disgraceful that we in Yorkshire should have to pay for prescriptions while others in smaller geographical areas do not.

In Yorkshire, we really do have something to celebrate. A glorious county, beautiful countryside that stretches from hills to coast. A county that is ethnically diverse, where people of many and varied cultural backgrounds live and work.

Yorkshire is a county that deserves to be seen as something more than a northern backwater. We need to have control over policies that matter to us. In Whitehall, we are often seen as flat-capped whippet lovers who keep pigeons and drink beer.

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The great achievements and achievers of our county seem to go

unnoticed. It is time that we started to have people in Parliament with Yorkshire on their heart with no allegiance to political parties who

put party loyalty before their constituents needs.

If we want some really radical policies for Yorkshire, how about giving something back to those who have worked hard?

Cherished and valued for years of service to the community, those approaching a pensionable age need to be rewarded. A one-year tax break in the final year before retirement. Every male, aged 64, and female, aged 60, should be entitled to keep every penny of their final year salary on a zero-rated tax scheme. This would be in recognition of a lifetime of work and commitment to our society.

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What about a unified Yorkshire Health Service? Just think how many penpushers we could get rid of. We could actually employ nurses and cleaners for a change. The same thing could apply to the police. A Yorkshire police force instead of the four we have already. That would save at least half a million a year in duplicated wages of Chief Constables. Our criminals don't stick to force boundaries so perhaps a unified force would catch more of them.

When it comes to crime, we, in Yorkshire, have always been known to be firm but fair. What is wrong with having tough sentences for thieves and drug takers?

If the prisons are full then build more prisons. Let prison be seen as a punishment and nothing more. Keep offenders in for as long as possible and at least it gives us a break from their criminal goings on. As an ex- copper I know what criminals think of prison. It is seen as an easy option, four good meals and plenty of dope. No wonder it has no effect on them.

Then there is the matter of fishing and farming. New Labour hasn't been a friend of the countryside. It has imposed its Islington wine bar mentality on rural life to the detriment of the countryside and the sea. They stop farmers diversifying and fisherman catching fish. Yet, they allow the Spaniards to build bigger and bigger boats and catch as much as they want. Ask any fisherman and they will tell you the fish stocks in the North Sea are well on the road to recovery. Farmers are faced with an ever-increasing mound of paperwork and inspections should they want to make any changes to their way of life – how ridiculous is that?

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And finally, please could we get rid of all the PC regulations that have been brought in during the last 15 years? It's time for a change, but sadly I don't think it will happen. We will get more of the same no matter who is elected, after all, should we care?

Most of the legislation that really matters for Yorkshire is pushed through by French and Germans in Brussels.

GP Taylor is a writer and broadcaster, and was previously a vicar in Cloughton, North Yorkshire.