Why don't politicians listen to the people?

We have an election this Saturday, and after about six weeks of campaigning most people seem to have figured out that it really doesn’t matter who wins. Political journalists are practically falling asleep at their desks because neither major party is actually doing anything.

The point of a democratic system of government is to allow the population to have their say in the running of their country, but the way things are at the moment neither major party is making a commitment to policies because they are scared of a backlash. Both parties have also said that they won’t win on their merits, but because people don’t like the other.

So why won’t the politicians listen to the people and release policies? How does this stalemate benefit either party? Why do they stick to non-events, and not release a radical policy? I really don’t care so much what they say, but I would at least like them to try and do something for the country.

On a broader note, what would you like to see from a political party? What would make you vote for someone, rather than just voting against the other?