I never voyed until I was in my thirties.
thenI thought I aought to do the responcable thing and I also thought I could make a difference... as ifmymark would matter.
These days I'm having great difficulty again finding a direction that is represented by any party with which I identify.
I vote for bloody Revolution...
lp
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Why do you vote ??
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Ok I will be truthful
I have always voted but have been ignorant of politics I am learning questioning more as I get older.
I have always voted for the local Politian on their local government polices. So I have always voted for a member that is known and lives in the Constituency that they represent in parliament.
But since we now have local mayoral elections I am looking at the bigger picture.
I am now stuck as to who to vote for.
I have always voted but have been ignorant of politics I am learning questioning more as I get older.
I have always voted for the local Politian on their local government polices. So I have always voted for a member that is known and lives in the Constituency that they represent in parliament.
But since we now have local mayoral elections I am looking at the bigger picture.
I am now stuck as to who to vote for.
just let things take their course its all decided for us anyway whoever you vote in .....as a non prcticing budhist beleive we are all equal so vote for?????? who no one is above or below us ......when they get in they never stick to waht they profess anyway...
voting not for me dont need the conscience
steve xx
voting not for me dont need the conscience
steve xx
Sex God
I vote differently dependent on if it is local or general election.
If local, then I expect to see proof of the politicians commitment to my area, to the issues that matter. I expect to see campaigning and I want to know what they are doing for my vote. I am happy to blur my party political lines in the locals if I feel one candidate cares more and works more for the area.
In general elections I confess I am a bit of a geek - I read the policies, I consult websites, I watch debates... I consider my options. Then I vote. I vote for ideology, for policy and lastly for personality.
I vote always - because we all should. If we don't, then we really only have ourselves to blame when stuff happens we don't like!
If local, then I expect to see proof of the politicians commitment to my area, to the issues that matter. I expect to see campaigning and I want to know what they are doing for my vote. I am happy to blur my party political lines in the locals if I feel one candidate cares more and works more for the area.
In general elections I confess I am a bit of a geek - I read the policies, I consult websites, I watch debates... I consider my options. Then I vote. I vote for ideology, for policy and lastly for personality.
I vote always - because we all should. If we don't, then we really only have ourselves to blame when stuff happens we don't like!
Sex God
I vote everytime. I must admit I do feel it is a bit of a farce as there is only one party really thats the one that has MP's in it. I would love for there to be some radical alternatives but maybe I am in the end just to comfortable with the status quo :-(
I would love to be enthused enough about something to want to make a stand and a difference!
I would love to be enthused enough about something to want to make a stand and a difference!
I have no party loyalty. I am afraid these days I vote for the party that I believe will do the least damage. I am a floater :shock:
I do believe that one should vote so at least one can say I did my bit to improve our lot. To not vote undermines our voice imho, if we can't be arsed to make our views known with a vote we can't really critiscise when we get the dross we get.
Next stop lobbying my mp...now thats real democracy...make the buggers accountable
I do believe that one should vote so at least one can say I did my bit to improve our lot. To not vote undermines our voice imho, if we can't be arsed to make our views known with a vote we can't really critiscise when we get the dross we get.
Next stop lobbying my mp...now thats real democracy...make the buggers accountable
Sex God
Flower, at one point I voted purely to be rid of the Conservative Party, which meant I voted Labour at every opportunity given to me, whether local or national, no matter who the candidate was. At the last election I could no longer bring myself to vote for them, and I can't imagine the time will come where I'll ever vote Conservative, so these days I turn up all dutiful like at the polling station, and exercise what little option I have left by scribbling "None Of The Above" all over the ballot paper.
It's too important a right not to use it, but at the last general election I had precisely two candidates to choose from in the constituency I lived in at the time, which makes an absolute mockery of local democracy in action IMO, and couldn't bring myself to vote for either of them of them, which left me with only the option of a spoiled ballot, just so I can say I did actually turn up and exercise my right to vote. It sucks really.
It's too important a right not to use it, but at the last general election I had precisely two candidates to choose from in the constituency I lived in at the time, which makes an absolute mockery of local democracy in action IMO, and couldn't bring myself to vote for either of them of them, which left me with only the option of a spoiled ballot, just so I can say I did actually turn up and exercise my right to vote. It sucks really.
Quote by flower411
Flower, at one point I voted purely to be rid of the Conservative Party, which meant I voted Labour at every opportunity given to me, whether local or national, no matter who the candidate was. At the last election I could no longer bring myself to vote for them, and I can't imagine the time will come where I'll ever vote Conservative, so these days I turn up all dutiful like at the polling station, and exercise what little option I have left by scribbling "None Of The Above" all over the ballot paper.
It's too important a right not to use it, but at the last general election I had precisely two candidates to choose from in the constituency I lived in at the time, which makes an absolute mockery of local democracy in action IMO, and couldn't bring myself to vote for either of them of them, which left me with only the option of a spoiled ballot, just so I can say I did actually turn up and exercise my right to vote. It sucks really.
To be honest, it hadn`t occured to me to do that.
Maybe we should lobby for a "None of the above" option on all ballot papers.
If it came as the majority vote, they`d all have to go away and rethink their policies until people felt they could vote for them .
You`re a genius
good thought, I like it.
:tickbox: conservative candidate
:tickbox: new labour candidate
:tickbox: green candidate
:tickbox: accepted 'out-there' candidate
:tickbox: I choose to excercise my democratic right to vote, but find myself ethicly unable to put my name to a any party who cannot fullfill their policies through practice, nor present a sound and understandable package of policies that can be held accountable following election.
Sex God
Am I right in thinking that all those that dont vote have their votes taken by the party in power at the time of the election 
Sex God
Quote by __random_orbit__i certainly hope not!!!!
Am I right in thinking that all those that dont vote have their votes taken by the party in power at the time of the election
lp
Its something I heard a long time ago.....
Not sure if is true or not ....
Sex God
Quote by Flower411
You`re a genius
:lol: Flower, I always knew that one day my razor sharp intellect would win the recognition it deserves! Many thanks! :smug: :lol: ;)
Quote by Steve
Am I right in thinking that all those that dont vote have their votes taken by the party in power at the time of the election
Absolutely not!!! The only votes that count towards an MP's or a Government's majority are those actually cast for them.
Neil x x x ;)
Sex God
Quote by neilinleeds
Am I right in thinking that all those that dont vote have their votes taken by the party in power at the time of the election
Absolutely not!!! The only votes that count towards an MP's or a Government's majority are those actually cast for them.
Neil x x x ;)
Thanks Neil...
Must admit it did sound peculiar but thought I would check anyway
Quote by flower411
Flower, at one point I voted purely to be rid of the Conservative Party, which meant I voted Labour at every opportunity given to me, whether local or national, no matter who the candidate was. At the last election I could no longer bring myself to vote for them, and I can't imagine the time will come where I'll ever vote Conservative, so these days I turn up all dutiful like at the polling station, and exercise what little option I have left by scribbling "None Of The Above" all over the ballot paper.
It's too important a right not to use it, but at the last general election I had precisely two candidates to choose from in the constituency I lived in at the time, which makes an absolute mockery of local democracy in action IMO, and couldn't bring myself to vote for either of them of them, which left me with only the option of a spoiled ballot, just so I can say I did actually turn up and exercise my right to vote. It sucks really.
To be honest, it hadn`t occured to me to do that.
Maybe we should lobby for a "None of the above" option on all ballot papers
If it came as the majority vote, they`d all have to go away and rethink their policies until people felt they could vote for them .
You`re a genius
Flower what A great idea!
You`re a genius! :lol:
Quote by flower411
I have no party loyalty. I am afraid these days I vote for the party that I believe will do the least damage. I am a floater :shock:
I do believe that one should vote so at least one can say I did my bit to improve our lot. To not vote undermines our voice imho, if we can't be arsed to make our views known with a vote we can't really critiscise when we get the dross we get.
Next stop lobbying my mp...now thats real democracy...make the buggers accountable
This is a point often brought up by people who vote for the sake of it.
To be honest I think that voting for the least bad option just so that you can say you have voted, is the thing that undermines our voice.
The people that receive your vote are encouraged into thinking that they are doing it right because you voted for them.
If all of the negative voters abstained and told their politicians that they had done so because they are all a useless bunch, maybe, just maybe some of them would actually think about what they were doing and listen to the electorate.
To vote "because I can" or "because it`s my duty" is the lazy option, it seems to exonerate you from any blame from all the shit that`s going on.
Tactical voting is a time honoured 'tradition' and shouldn't be dismissed as "undermining our voice". It has a use and as the legislation currently stands is much more beneficial than a spoiled vote.
Warming the Bed
I think the swing voter takes more time to look at what is going on around them locally rather than which government is in power at the time.
I think too many people vote on who they want in government power.
It is local issues that affect us more on a day to day basis and we should vote for the councillor that benefits us.
Some people vote because they know the councillor personally or because they have stood up for an issue they feel strongly about.
If a local community votes in a councillor that is muslim for example then they may push for more for muslim issues. If that is what the community want then so bit it. That is democracy wether you like it or not.
Now if 60% of the community is in fact not muslim but 40% of them did not vote and then decided that they were unhappy with any decisions that have been made in the local community then maybe next time the 40% may choose to have there voice heard.
The above is just an example of how a swing voter may vote.
I think too many people vote on who they want in government power.
It is local issues that affect us more on a day to day basis and we should vote for the councillor that benefits us.
Some people vote because they know the councillor personally or because they have stood up for an issue they feel strongly about.
If a local community votes in a councillor that is muslim for example then they may push for more for muslim issues. If that is what the community want then so bit it. That is democracy wether you like it or not.
Now if 60% of the community is in fact not muslim but 40% of them did not vote and then decided that they were unhappy with any decisions that have been made in the local community then maybe next time the 40% may choose to have there voice heard.
The above is just an example of how a swing voter may vote.
I have voted everytime except just the once. I was a Tory supporter for years, and under Thatcher I thought most things were great. Yes of course there are always exceptions.
But I felt the Tories after I think 17 years in power had gone stale and complacent in it's approach to most things. The spin was everywhere and when Blair came along I for one thought he would/could be the man to move things forward.
He seemed young and full of energy, something I thought we needed badly. So for the first time I voted Labour, and I was not alone. Staunch Tories also switched and he got in on a landslide.
Just like Thatcher and those after her and before her, they brought in things that were not popular. But for me Blair lost the plot. He also became stale and boring and out of ideas, and so left for more money making schemes, and now we have Brown.
I have seen over the last ten years that Labour are now where the Tories were before Blair. Out of touch with the people, and full of spin. Blimey if they were being sold as washing machines, they would have a 5000 rpm spin cycle.
I am now in the same situation that made me vote for Blair, but this time for Cameron. He seems young and fresh with some good ideas, and if voting for him gives us the referendum, and the Human rights bill will be radically ammended, then that alone will get my vote.
I think Labour have had their chance, and have brought in so many stealth taxes that they won't win the next election.
At the end of the day people vote about many issues but the most important one, is how much money they are going to have in their pockets at the end of each month. Less under this Labour Government, than before they came into power....maybe I am wrong?
But I felt the Tories after I think 17 years in power had gone stale and complacent in it's approach to most things. The spin was everywhere and when Blair came along I for one thought he would/could be the man to move things forward.
He seemed young and full of energy, something I thought we needed badly. So for the first time I voted Labour, and I was not alone. Staunch Tories also switched and he got in on a landslide.
Just like Thatcher and those after her and before her, they brought in things that were not popular. But for me Blair lost the plot. He also became stale and boring and out of ideas, and so left for more money making schemes, and now we have Brown.
I have seen over the last ten years that Labour are now where the Tories were before Blair. Out of touch with the people, and full of spin. Blimey if they were being sold as washing machines, they would have a 5000 rpm spin cycle.
I am now in the same situation that made me vote for Blair, but this time for Cameron. He seems young and fresh with some good ideas, and if voting for him gives us the referendum, and the Human rights bill will be radically ammended, then that alone will get my vote.
I think Labour have had their chance, and have brought in so many stealth taxes that they won't win the next election.
At the end of the day people vote about many issues but the most important one, is how much money they are going to have in their pockets at the end of each month. Less under this Labour Government, than before they came into power....maybe I am wrong?
Warming the Bed
The problem is that you are looking at the guy at the top. Its best to start at the bottom thats what the leader will do he will start at the bottom look at the votes look at the local problems and make a decision that will keep him and the party in power by keeping the majority happy.
The country is run pretty much autonomously with a lot of red tape, there are not many things that one man at the top can do that will affect us much.
The biggest decsision to be made in recent times would be Brown putting money into banks, luckily he saved the world ( I always thought that was the cheerleaders job ) b4 that I suppose it was on war issues and b4 that Thatcher and privatisation.
There is tons of stuff going on locally and a local newspaper is a good place to start to find out what is going on. I am in Spain a lot of the time but still read the local paper to see whats going on when I am back. I still have my vote
The country is run pretty much autonomously with a lot of red tape, there are not many things that one man at the top can do that will affect us much.
The biggest decsision to be made in recent times would be Brown putting money into banks, luckily he saved the world ( I always thought that was the cheerleaders job ) b4 that I suppose it was on war issues and b4 that Thatcher and privatisation.
There is tons of stuff going on locally and a local newspaper is a good place to start to find out what is going on. I am in Spain a lot of the time but still read the local paper to see whats going on when I am back. I still have my vote
There hasn't been a true Labour party in Government since 1979.
Since then we've had the Tories and Tories Lite.
Bring back a Socialist labour party and I'll be happy. Until such time as that happens (if ever) then the closest we can get to my ideal is the Lib-Dems. yes it may be a wasted vote, but I cannot in all conscience vote for either Labour or Conservative. They are both too far Right for my sensibilities.
Since then we've had the Tories and Tories Lite.
Bring back a Socialist labour party and I'll be happy. Until such time as that happens (if ever) then the closest we can get to my ideal is the Lib-Dems. yes it may be a wasted vote, but I cannot in all conscience vote for either Labour or Conservative. They are both too far Right for my sensibilities.
Warming the Bed
Thats a great marketing term for David Cameron.
" Youve tried Tories.... now try Tories light all the taste of the Tories but without the dead weight "
" Youve tried Tories.... now try Tories light all the taste of the Tories but without the dead weight "
Sex God
Cause women fought long and hard to give us that right.
And if I don't vote I don't have the right to complain and I'm a woman... I like to complain! :mrgreen:
And if I don't vote I don't have the right to complain and I'm a woman... I like to complain! :mrgreen:
Warming the Bed
It depends on where u live and which council.
Some councils have directly elected mayors voted for by the public. (
Most Mayors are just figureheads voted by councilors who do not have a lot of power.
A directly elected mayor voted for by the public would therefore have more power, most local councils oppose having a directly elected mayor for that reason.
Hartlepool had a directly elected mayor who wore a monkey suit with the intention of providing free bananas for schools ??. Sadly there wasnt enough funds available to provide this.
London works differently as they set up the GLA in 2000, Ken Livingstone was the first Mayor of London and Matt Lucas with a wig... I mean Boris Johnstone is the second.
Some councils have directly elected mayors voted for by the public. (
Most Mayors are just figureheads voted by councilors who do not have a lot of power.
A directly elected mayor voted for by the public would therefore have more power, most local councils oppose having a directly elected mayor for that reason.
Hartlepool had a directly elected mayor who wore a monkey suit with the intention of providing free bananas for schools ??. Sadly there wasnt enough funds available to provide this.
London works differently as they set up the GLA in 2000, Ken Livingstone was the first Mayor of London and Matt Lucas with a wig... I mean Boris Johnstone is the second.
Sex God
I never vote for parties, only for candidates. And I never tactically vote to get someone out. I simply vote for whichever candidate I think will best serve me and my community. If I don't like any of them I have to spoil my paper, which is annoying as there is no way to officially abstain. I think there should be a "None Of The Above" box. If there were an abstention option, then I would support compulsory voting, like they do in Australia. I think if you choose not to vote, then you forfeit your right to complain.
Sex God
Quote by Ice Pie
I never vote for parties, only for candidates. And I never tactically vote to get someone out. I simply vote for whichever candidate I think will best serve me and my community. If I don't like any of them I have to spoil my paper, which is annoying as there is no way to officially abstain. I think there should be a "None Of The Above" box. If there were an abstention option, then I would support compulsory voting, like they do in Australia. I think if you choose not to vote, then you forfeit your right to complain.
Yes :thumbup:
After all......You can spoil your paper if none of the candidates are what you would like to vote for but I do agree there should be an abstention(?) option....
I vote (for no one in particular) just so that i can have the pleasure of moaning me bollox off at those in power who just keep on sprouting daft ideas n comments on how well they are doing when in fact they aint.
We should have proportional voting and not the proverbial first past the post wins system but neither of the major 2 parties want this as it means they will have to actually work for the people and not themselves.
Tiger
We should have proportional voting and not the proverbial first past the post wins system but neither of the major 2 parties want this as it means they will have to actually work for the people and not themselves.
Tiger
Sex God
I must admit to being a dyed in the wool conservocialist I like #John Kinnocks policies they seem errmmmm eclectic 