Anyone else NOT voting today?

[Freefaller]

I don't entirely agree with any of the main parties policies. I think all the main party politicians are a bunch of money greedy children. I am therefore exercising my democratic right of not voting. (Unless Jeremy Clarkson and Jeremy Kyle start a new party, I'd vote for that partnership!)

Which of course you're absolutely entitled to do! I'm not trying to change your mind at all. I think having JC as prime minister whilst comedic, would be horrific! I think he's fab, but definitely not someone I'd care for in power! I know your comment was probably facetious though.

However, is there not one party, even one of the smaller less significant parties that draws you at all? Aren't you interested in changing the current government? Every non voter's vote, helps keep the status quo, by voting you're able to shape the outcome.

It must be said that I'm not saying to vote just for the sake of it either - it does require some effort, thought and research - so maybe often too much for some people to take in.

 

[jp_bl_68]

If you're from the NW in particular please don't waste a vote. The BNP got into Europe last time because of this..

Or did they get in because they exploited fears over immigration, an issue the major parties have always been reluctant to talk about,

 

[Freefaller]

Regardless of who I vote, the MP in my constituency will be the same. Ergo, one vote never made a difference.

Yes, but if all the people that didn't vote because of this, did vote, it would start to make a difference!

 

[Freefaller]

You didn't vote Labour then

Me? No. But my point was that someone voting should at least vote to either accept the status quo if they are happy with it, or at least vote for change if they are not happy with it.

 

[RimBlock]

I'm quite interested as to the reasons why people don't vote... as I don't understand why you wouldn't...

As you are aware, I no longer live in the UK and am unlikely to move back within the next 4 years. I do not believe I have any right to have a say who runs the UK.

RB

 

[reflux]

It must be said that I'm not saying to vote just for the sake of it either - it does require some effort, thought and research - so maybe often too much for some people to take in.

This has gotta be said. I think as well though some people don't take their responsibility seriously enough; like my sister, who's just voting Labour because she likes Gordon Brown (god knows why), she doesn't actually know or care about any of their policies. You must make a reasoned decision about who you want to vote for otherwise in my mind it's a worthless vote.

 

[dokko]

I agree with this combo.

Forcing people to vote is just as bad as stopping people voting.

 

[.Lethal]

Me? No. But my point was that someone voting should at least vote to either accept the status quo if they are happy with it, or at least vote for change if they are not happy with it.

I tend to look at it as voting for the lesser evil.

 

[Efour]

This has gotta be said. I think as well though some people don't take their responsibility seriously enough; like my sister, who's just voting Labour because she likes Gordon Brown (god knows why), she doesn't actually know or care about any of their policies. You must make a reasoned decision about who you want to vote for otherwise in my mind it's a worthless vote.

i would imagine a large percentage of votes are for this or similar superficial reasons :O

 

[Greenlizard0]

Or did they get in because they exploited fears over immigration, an issue the major parties have always been reluctant to talk about,

In some places they got in by having less votes than they had last time; so few people voted combined with too many abstaining one way or another.

 

[Stumble Bum]

Can't be arsed voting, it would have gone to the conservatives though.

 

[Beerbaron]

No I'm not as I don't think I can, I live 70 miles away from my registered constituency so I don't think I can.

...unless someone wants to tell me otherwise?

Should have registered for postal voting.

 

[Kenai]

I really don't understand not going to vote, I can't see any reason for it beyond abject laziness.

Don't like our electoral system? Go and spoil the ballot by writing ELECTORAL REFORM on it or something. Don't like the parties or policies? Go and spoil the ballot by writing 'Not adequately represented'. Don't like something else? ...you get the picture.

Just not voting ultimately lumps you in with all the people whore are just lazy and don't care and I really can't understand why you'd want to be associated with that.

 

[Freefaller]

Can't be arsed voting, it would have gone to the conservatives though.

Is it really such a big effort?

 

[Beerbaron]

I can't decide who the lesser evil is so I'm not going to vote.

All the parties have something to hide, and I hate the school ground politics that goes on, one party ripping the other to shreds, it's just all carp.

Whoever gets in, the country is still going to be up the spout so what's it matter

The only real winner is here is communism

 

[Nazca]

Haven't read the majority of this thread so I'm sure that this has been mentioned.

If you don't vote then you have NO right to complain about any aspect of the way to country is run.

 

[PlumpMonkey]

For those who arent voting because they dont agree with any of the parties, you should still go and spoil the paper. Draw a big rude picture on the paper if you must.

These votes do get counted as a separate category. If enough people spoilt their votes rather than just appearing apathetic and not bothering to get of their ass to vote, then someone may take notice.

If you do nothing, then you will never be counted!

 

[crunchee]

There should be internet voting me thinks, more people would probably vote I know I'd probably vote more often.

 

[Zenith]

Me, but only because I forgot to send my postal ballot papers off in time. D'oh!

You can still take your postal vote to a polling station or returning officer and it will be counted.

 

[Mr Gimp]

I'm not voting, simply for the fact that I haven't had the time to properly go about reading through the various parties manifestos, and without spending a good deal of time digging through hordes of information to find the differences then I don't feel as if I have an opinion worthy of backing in writing.