Should I vote in the General Election? - Convince Me

[teddybloat]

Do not mistake my abstince for apathy.

I care deeply about politic,  but not for any of the main parties. I will not endorse them with my vote just for the sake of voting. My ward is a safe labour seat and there are only 3 parties on the ballot. They do not have ideological differences and there are few statements that could be made by the leader of one party that could not be made by any of the others.


None of the above for me. And dont feel ashamed for not voting.

[Royal Flush]

Surely the fact that there has been little change over the last 20 years regardless of the party that is in, coupled with a low voter turnout trending downwards this just shows the system IS working?

It's only when things get out of control that alternative options arise and voter turnout increases.

Discounting a global recession, which as far as my understanding of global economics (not very much), is always going to happen, the people of this country are enjoying an increased standard of living over the last 20 years.

I'll be voting even though the Greens are going to win the seat. I wouldn't begrudge anyone who doesn't bother though.

[mulhuzz]

Surely the fact that there has been little change over the last 20 years regardless of the party that is in, coupled with a low voter turnout trending downwards this just shows the system IS working?

It's only when things get out of control that alternative options arise and voter turnout increases.

Discounting a global recession, which as far as my understanding of global economics (not very much), is always going to happen, the people of this country are enjoying an increased standard of living over the last 20 years.

I'll be voting even though the Greens are going to win the seat. I wouldn't begrudge anyone who doesn't bother though.

it's quite hard to argue that 'the system' and 'living standards' are causally linked imo.

I personally think voting (even if it's just spoiling a ballot paper) is a civic duty and it's a way to legitimise complaint. Arbboy doesn't vote (just one example) because he doesn't think his vote makes a difference in his constituency (and he may well be correct..) but it does rather breed disenfranchisement which, in the end, breeds contempt.

Taking arbboys constituency as an example again...Torys don't have to fight for it, makes them lazy, means Labour et al don't really put up much of a candidate, etc...it's a vicious circle.

The FPTP system does rather guarantee there will be such constituencies, however, which is where I think the biggest change needs to be made. Let's be clear though, without higher voter turnouts and a clear mandate for a switch from FPTP, the two main parties (whichever of the two it ends up as a majority with or without coalition partners) will just continue FPTP because it suits.

[Mohican]

Politicians are very much like Gods in my opinion, in that I don't believe in either.
Can someone explain how spoiling a ballot paper is better than not voting??
I've never voted and can't see that changing any time soon. It's not that I don't care, it's just that since I've been able to vote, the parties involved all promise pretty much the same thing, just disguised  to suit, depending which ever way the party leans.

[DungBeetle]

I'm guilty of not voting in the past because I couldn't be bothered. Spoiling ballot paper shows that you are bothered imo.

[Rexas]

I intend to turn up at the polling station and write something along the lines of "be good and I'll vote for you next time" and leave it at that. I don't really like having to choose the lesser of multiple evils when it comes to the running of the country :p

[cambridgealex]

Definitely in the can't be arsed it won't affect my life category.

I do like watching the debates and stuff though.

[verndog158]

i 100% think it should be compulsory in the uk to vote. even f u turn up and X a box that says, 'i dont give a shit' box.

[EvilPie]

Definitely in the can't be arsed it won't affect my life category.

This

[AdamM]

TBH, people who think that all the parties are saying the same thing dressed up differently haven't really read what the policies are, because there are very significant differences between them. I also don't think there are many people who's lives won't be affected in some way or another depending on who wins.

It's really worth spending half an hour doing one of the many 'who should I vote for' type quizzes, taking the extra questions/answers options where they're available. You might be surprise where you come down and how hard.

I changed my lifelong voting habit 5 years ago based in part on taking a few of those quizzes, and am likely to change again this time.

My constituency on paper is a safeish seat. However, in 2010 the number of non-voters added to even the number that voted for the fascist nutters who came last would be enough to overturn the usual party, let alone the non-voters plus the 2nd or 3rd place finishers. Every vote counts, and if people took the time to investigate what the parties actually stand for, you might find you have a preference after all.

http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/
https://uk.isidewith.com/political-quiz
https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/

[EvilPie]

i 100% think it should be compulsory in the uk to vote. even f u turn up and X a box that says, 'i dont give a shit' box.

Tough one this. Whilst I agree in principal have you seen some people? Can you imagine who they might vote for?

All it takes is all the normal people to vote for 'I don't give a shit' and before you know it we've got a bunch of cocktards who's lives are ruled by whatever facebook tells them deciding who wins.

Scary thought.

[AdamM]

if you are likely to need to access health services in the next 5 years it will affect your life.
Same if you're likely to want to buy a house, save any money, borrow any money, pay any tax, have any kids, etc

The right to abstain is obviously part of your political options, but it would be better if you could actively do that with a 'none of the above' box

[Woodsey]

TBH, people who think that all the parties are saying the same thing dressed up differently haven't really read what the policies are, because there are very significant differences between them. I also don't think there are many people who's lives won't be affected in some way or another depending on who wins.

It's really worth spending half an hour doing one of the many 'who should I vote for' type quizzes, taking the extra questions/answers options where they're available. You might be surprise where you come down and how hard.

I changed my lifelong voting habit 5 years ago based in part on taking a few of those quizzes, and am likely to change again this time.

My constituency on paper is a safeish seat. However, in 2010 the number of non-voters added to even the number that voted for the fascist nutters who came last would be enough to overturn the usual party, let alone the non-voters plus the 2nd or 3rd place finishers. Every vote counts, and if people took the time to investigate what the parties actually stand for, you might find you have a preference after all.

http://www.whoshouldyouvotefor.com/
https://uk.isidewith.com/political-quiz
https://voteforpolicies.org.uk/

Definately, theres more differences between labour and cons than there has been for a while.

[neeko]

What percentage of policies/ spending do people think are the same between con & lab?

90- 95%?

NHS spending 95% the same
Law and order policies 99% the same
Education 95% the same
Social policy 99% the same
Defence 95% the same
Foreign aid 100% identical
Debt interest 100% identical
Pension / payments to the old 99% the same
Welfare / housing 90%?

For the large majority of people the large majority of everything will not change.

[RED-DOG]

Yes you should.

Go on.

Please?

Pretty please...

Ah go on.

Go on go on go on.