Who should I vote for?
Your expected outcome:
Liberal Democrat
Your actual outcome:
Labour -20  |
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| Conservative -28 |
|
 Liberal Democrat 55 |
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| UK Independence Party 0 |
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| Green 35 |
You should vote: Liberal Democrat
The LibDems take a strong stand against tax cuts and a strong one in favour of public services: they would make long-term residential care for the elderly free across the UK, and scrap university tuition fees. They are in favour of a ban on smoking in public places, but would relax laws on cannabis. They propose to change vehicle taxation to be based on usage rather than ownership.
Take the test at Who Should You Vote For
not really a surprise
However, I actually feel quite disenfranchised. If the labour government had stuck to the proportional representation idea, I might be more enthusiastic, but the governmental system seems to be a monolith with the express purpose of maintaining status quo. After all, parties only get in if they are the same as last time, if last times one have cocked up so badly that they no longer seem the party that were voted for, or if the other party comes to mirror them such that people can’t tel who is who. [i know what i mean! ie new labour is old conservative, and new conservative is a shambles.] Also the fact that so many of us are disenfranchised by voting in constituencies where monkeys with the correct badge will get voted in.
It’s all a big game, I haven’t quite fathomed out the rules, but I do wonder if we are reaching a time of mass communication where we individuals could unite enough to take back the power from the monolith. But would we all start walking on our hind legs then as well? Sorry, obscure reference to Animal Farm which makes little sense if you haven’t been here today following bizarre conversations with Big….
Absolutely Helen. My dilemma atm is do I vote according to my principles/conscience which will mean absolutely nothing here, or do I buy into the system and vote tactically to help make sure this consituency returns (again) those whom I consider to be the lesser of two evils? The whole thing’s just bollocks, and they wonder why so few people vote????
We’re having exactly the same debate here too .. it is really hard to get excited about the election (I used to be quite politically minded too – young Lib dem and all (how’s that for radical lol)), no-one represents my views. Blair is repulsive (& I don’t really fancy living in a totalitarian state) and I’d rather have my eyes gouged out than vote Tory.
I’ve got a feeling that it might make a difference here, locally (to vote according to principles, I mean, I think LibDem is the closest to mine and there are a fair few LibDem seats in the SW) – the trouble is that if people keep voting tactically then it’s going to be skewed forever, isn’t it? I’m not really into politics at all though …
Frankly Sarah, that’s like saying you’re not into *breathing*. You may not care about why or how it works, but its effects are kind of essential
Blimey saying you’re not into what the government does it seriously apathetic. You really aren’t interested if the tax system is changed at the expense of small businesses ??? I am not into party politics (there is so little between them all – the lib dems are only superficially different in my book) but I do care what the government does.
Exeter is a safe labour seat…..but that’s not to say you shouldn’t vote. I think one of the things voting libdem can do is demonstrate the overall inequity of the voting system, i.e. they could get 25% of the popular vote but only 10% of the members of parliament. That might lead to PR and possibly some minor superficial changes – like legalising cannabis!!!
I *am* going to vote libdem for that reason even though labour are fighting the tories in our constituency. TBH I no longer believe that the tories are a greater evil than new labour so keeping the tories out is not a concern like it was in 97 and 01 (to a lesser degree). I also think voting should be compulsory like in Australia.
I make a point of always using my vote but rarely vote for one of the main parties unless I think there’s a chance my vote might make a difference – I once voted libdem in west sheffield where they had a tory seat with a small majority. In 1997 I voted prolife alliance in the hope of them not losing their deposit, and last time round I think I voted for Arthur Scargill’s socialist labour party, because I do think someone ought to be a socialist, even if it isn’t me.
I think that’s what I meant – I’m not into party politics, rather than I’m not interested in what the government does.
I used to think that voting should be compulsory too, but not anymore.
I am seriously considering not voting this time which goes completely against the grain. I’m not apathetic, I am boringly interested in politics and the political system, but I do not see why I should have to pick the best of a bad bunch just because that’s what a good citizen does. Why should people be forced to vote for something they don’t agree with or believe in? Is that right? Is it democratic? I think not, and would fight tooth and nail against voting being made compulsory for those reasons. I might think differently if we had PR, but probably not.
I don’t buy into that whole *people have fought and died to give me the freedoms I have today* argument. If they died for my freedom that freedom includes the right to choose whether or not to vote. Compulsory voting = ultimate in coercive government. Thanks but no thanks.
I am assuming in my notion of compulsory voting you aren’t compelled to actually vote for any of the candidates. Spoiling your papers would be allowed
I wouldn’t fight tooth and nail on the issue mind, I think there are more important things to worry about.
Does seem rather pointless to have compulsory voting yet allow ballot spoiling. >shrugs
rest of that post seems to have disappeared for some reason
Hmmm…. interesting quiz. Off to try it & post result on my blog (Baaa!) Is there a “no political party fits your requirements” outcome? If there is, I think I might get it. If not it’ll be lib dem too I bet.
I think actively spoiling your paper sends a much bigger message of voter apathy than low turn out. For 40% of eligible voters to actually go and vote (or post their vote) and to not pick an actual candidate says much more about the disenfranchisement of those voters than a low turnout which gets put down to the weather! Then again the people who don’t currently vote may actually have an opinion but can’t get to the polling station (or don’t know about postal votes). There is some evidence to suggest that a significant number of people who don’t vote are the less well off – therefore policies of the parties are focussed on other groups where voting turning out is traditionally higher. Presumably that is why all the parties go on and on about ‘hard-working families’ e.g.mondeo man.
I suppose I think the liberties that might be infringed *might* be worth it.
Is it such a bad think for society to have expectation of its citizens? What about my freedom not to pay taxes, do jury service etc. Is trying to get all peoples’ opinions on the way things should be run *that* bad?
And is it only me who finds gets wound up by the use of *shrugs* in internet dealings? I always find it somewhat dismissive in tone. Whatever.
I think using the pointy bracket made it disappear Tech. Turned it into code.
I wonder whether our parties would be any better if we did have compulsory voting; i certainly don’t think NOT voting is likely to improve anything; if a mediocre party know they can get in by being the best of a bad bunch, where is the impetus to improve?
I’ve voted Labour for the last two elections but while i’m not a particularly political person, i can’t vote for people who want wraparound school care and the Childrens Act. So i’m stuck with a protest vote (And Mrs Pankhurst fought so yes i’ll be voting) – but actually, if we don’t vote, i’m not sure there will be much left to vote for next time round, i’d rather have 2 years of instability due to a Hung Parliament if it might create some choice again.
I don’t work, i don’t get benefits and i don’t own my home so i have virtually nothing but my husbands precariously poised manufacturing job to lose anyway :~/ *she says with more than a touch of irony*
I’ve never voted, simply because I haven’t yet found anyone I had much confidence in – but am plagued by nagging doubts at voting time as Merry rightly says, women’s votes were hard won! But I hate the voting for the best of a bad bunch – but then I can’t see how a party’s policies can all be absolutely acceptable to any particular person – and then I spiral into dissecting it all to pieces and *still* can’t come to a decision.
The only parties I’ve ever seen actively canvassing are the BNP and the Socialists, it appeared that the ‘main’ parties couldn’t be bothered where I used to live. I don’t think I’m very high on any party’s *want* list for a voter, except on the fringes – and that’s probably part of the problem.
Perhaps some HE-ers could band together and foot their own candidates – maybe the solution is standing and seeing how many people interested.
I understand the argument about not ‘wanting to vote for any of ‘em’ but sometimes this refusal to play ball only favours the likes of the BNP. It smacks of the toddler strops to me. Even if you don’t like any of the main parties why not find out about the policies of the minor ones who may represent at least *some* of your beleifs quite well. If you think f-p-t-p sucks then vote Lib Dem who plan to change to pr. Not voting isn’t going to acheive this.
I empathise with the argument that pr robs us of having our voice heard as Sim would ordinairily vote Green, (Sim’s a party member) but where we live the Lib Dems stand an excellent chance of defeating the Tories. Labour is no way an ideal government but the Tories are taking an increasingly right wing stance on issues that matter to us so we could whinge and say our ideal vote wouldn’t count but at least a vote for Lib Dem would bring pr one step closer and a Tory government one step further away. It isn’t a perfect system but it’s one that millions of people world wide would love to have.
Compulsory voting I am all in favour of because I get sick of meeting people who say they don’t vote because they’re all as bad as each other and are then surprised when the BNP gets an MP. Thankfully we live in a society and enjoy the many priviledges resulting from this; one of our responsibilities should be to vote.
That quizz is tosh too, as Sim even got Lib Dem. There was sooo much it didn’t touch on.
I’m not surprised as to why a BNP candidate gets elected, I can certainly see the reasons all around.
To call it the ‘toddler strops’ is very judgemental and unfair I think. I do take the time to read what’s put through the door and I consider it all carefully – but when it comes down to it I just don’t know, TBH I see positives and negatives in all of them and being a natural worrier, I then worry about it.
Toddler strops don’t result in the amount of worrying I do over what I recognise is a privilege, the right to vote. The ineptitude is definetely mine – but is far from childish.
You’re quite right dottyspots- it was horribly judgemental of me; I was in a rather foul mood this morning- not the best frame of mind to contribute to a political discussion, so I apologise.
Did anyone *not* get Lib Dem on that quiz then?
If the pointy bracket hadn’t made the rest of my comment disappear then you might not have been so wound up by my use of the shrugs, they did make the post appear dismissive I admit, but at the time of the day I was writing I really couldnt be arsed with going and typing the entire post all over again. I shan’t loose too much sleep over it though.
I find the use of *toddler strops* extremely insulting; as I’ve said, not voting goes against the grain and it’s something I have spent a long time thinking very deeply about. I will not vote for a candidate purely on the grounds that they’re the best option if I don’t agree with their policies. I spoilt my ballot at the last election – that didn’t send much of a message. This time round I am thinking about trying a different tactic.
The parties are all concerned about low voter turn out, don’t hear them worrying too much about those that turn up and spoil their ballots. Low turn out means they don’t have the support of the majority, mass turn out (even if 70% are spoilt votes) means they can claim that the majority of people turned up and voted, giving the impression of legitimacy to their government even if they got in on a wing and a prayer.
I personally don’t think the infringements of liberties are worth it, I also don’t believe that having compulsory voting, even allowing ballot spoiling, will result in improved parties. I am also heartily sick of the current buzz phrase *rights and responsibilities*. Fine if it’s a two way street but atm it isn’t.
Yes there are places in the world today that would be very grateful for the system we have, but that doesn’t mean it is a good system. IMO that argument is similar to telling your child to eat their tea *because of the starving millions*.
Is there *ever* a good time to get into a political discussion ;0) I got Lib Dem too – it’s a conspiracy :0D
I got green >shrugging for england
And apologies to you too, Tech, for the ‘toddler strops’ comment.
I assure you I have never told my children to eat up because of the starving millions!
Before I cause further offence, (although I think I intended it this morning and rather regret it now) my contribution to this discussion ends.
Still think we should all *have* to vote though
The parties are not concerned about low voter turnout. They are concerned that *their* voters not turning out. That is very very different. What exactly have any of them done over the last 5 years about turnout, nothing as far as I can tell. The turnout is 01 was less than 60%, in some seats it was in the 30s. Was there a big campaign about turn improving turnout falling the shock at the low turnouts? If there was it passed me by.
And this government – with the lowest turnout since 1918 – didn’t seem to have their authority too damaged by it.
Blimey that last comment seems to suggest I should go to bed.
Apology accepted Heather
It’s pretty obvious why it’s considered bad social etiquette to discuss politics 
I haven’t *heard* any arguments that persuade me that ballot spoiling would be any more effective than not voting at all. Frankly I’m not terribly hopeful that anything we do is going to make any difference, but we shall see soon enough.
I also haven’t *heard* anything that convinces me compulsory voting is a good idea.
Chris we have clearly reached an impasse; you think you’re right, I know I am. I can do arrogant quite well too
I, like others, shall add nothing more to this thread.
Cheers Merry, must try to remember that one for use at work
Programmers use them a lot in coding, but I’ve not heard them called “pointy brackets” before and I like it.
So how would you refer to the “squiggly brackets” (on the keys with the “square brackets” on UK keyboards)?
squiggly… obviously… why make it difficult?
Well, you’ve all been busy while we’ve been away
Helen here
well, that was livelier than I expected while we were away.
maybe voting for a likely independent is the way to go??
I always thought the technical term was *curly* brackets
and pointy for the other ones…