Agreed. "It's a wasted vote" is what the two main parties want you to think, but there are (usually) other options as well. A lot of constituancies will have an independant standing at a general election, even if none of the other parties floats your boat.
Ballot Paper - None of the Above (NOTA)
- Thread starter throwaway4372
- Start date
Agreed. "It's a wasted vote" is what the two main parties want you to think, but there are (usually) other options as well. A lot of constituancies will have an independant standing at a general election, even if none of the other parties floats your boat.
Soldato
- Joined
- 21 Jan 2010
- Posts
- 3,814
I'd like some variant of "none of the above" on a ballot paper.
For:
- Better data on spoiled ballots
- More choice for voters- specifically "keep the other lot out" voters
- Under fptp this option could win constituency votes
- May increase turnout to vote for this option
Against
- If nota wins in a large number of constituencies, this could delay forming a government
- If nota wins a large number, and by-elections are held, this could result in a change of government, or multiple changes of government
- don't see how you can have nota- pretty sure it has to be a person nominated
- parties will never agree to this option, so it can't happen
Questions (if nota wins)
If nota wins a large number, what is the minimum number of mps to form a government? 50% of won seats, or all seats?
- does the seat lie empty for the entire parliamentary term? This means constituency will not have representation.
- should a by-election be held- if so, when? This is potentially a lot of work and will cost money
- do all previous candidates (including independents) get disqualified? Or only candidates for registered political parties?
- If nota wins, do parties and independents have their deposit returned in all cases, or only on the old "5% rule"?
- are previous candidates disqualified from standing (in this/ any constituency/ can they be an independent if they previously stood for a party?) and for how long (entire parliamentary term?)?
- legislation on "persons disqualified" would need update. Someone would have to maintain that list.
There's loads more...
For:
- Better data on spoiled ballots
- More choice for voters- specifically "keep the other lot out" voters
- Under fptp this option could win constituency votes
- May increase turnout to vote for this option
Against
- If nota wins in a large number of constituencies, this could delay forming a government
- If nota wins a large number, and by-elections are held, this could result in a change of government, or multiple changes of government
- don't see how you can have nota- pretty sure it has to be a person nominated
- parties will never agree to this option, so it can't happen
Questions (if nota wins)
If nota wins a large number, what is the minimum number of mps to form a government? 50% of won seats, or all seats?
- does the seat lie empty for the entire parliamentary term? This means constituency will not have representation.
- should a by-election be held- if so, when? This is potentially a lot of work and will cost money
- do all previous candidates (including independents) get disqualified? Or only candidates for registered political parties?
- If nota wins, do parties and independents have their deposit returned in all cases, or only on the old "5% rule"?
- are previous candidates disqualified from standing (in this/ any constituency/ can they be an independent if they previously stood for a party?) and for how long (entire parliamentary term?)?
- legislation on "persons disqualified" would need update. Someone would have to maintain that list.
There's loads more...
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If it doesn’t make a difference / causes no harm then why not have the option?
Not much of a “waste of time” either. Fraction of a second to print it on a ballot, still has to be counted anyway, etc.
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The seat needs to be filled. "no taxation without representation"
It isn't necessary to disqualify candidates, parties can make a judgement on whether the candidate has a chance of winning.
The rules about getting deposits back don't need to change.
It isn't necessary to disqualify candidates, parties can make a judgement on whether the candidate has a chance of winning.
The rules about getting deposits back don't need to change.
This seems like a really silly question. Surely you know.
Why would anyone vote for NOTA if they will then have zero representation in the government ? That's just voting to make your area become completely left behind.
How is it any different to voting in a Labour/Tory/Lib Dem MP when they haven't been in government?
Chocolate fireguards have been known to be better at opposition in these scenarios.
PR is the only way I see forward. FPTP has to end.