Just a reminder

[Guest Gertie100]

Not starting a petition as such but:

 

Please remember to vote in the local elections in May.

 

Whilst we know that we are all stuck between a rock and a hard place with the political parties, the only tool we have currently to show the current establishment that we are not putting up with their incompetence and wonderful ability to drive this country into the ground, is to vote.

 

Before everyone jumps on me and tells me that the alternatives are no better, until we show "them" that if we are not happy we will vote against them and get rid of them (and do it to the subsequent lot etc etc regardless of party...) every political party will simply ride rough-shod over the law abiding, tax paying citizens of this countries.

 

And yes, I did look into running for our local council, however having to take a pay drop of £20k and still pay my bills doesn't add up so its not an option!

 

Thanks for reading!

[dave]

How about encouraging people to spoil their vote?

 

That effectively sends the message that you've ticked the "none of the above" box.

[Guest Gertie100]

Ok - so taking that to extremes, no one votes (I know it won't happen) but if it did what would the outcome be? I mean literally, what would be the procedure?

[Guest wino]

I know some people don't vote and that is their right. I do feel however that instead of me complaining about things by voting is the one constructive thing I can do to try and ammend things. Like they say its your voice, your vote.

Now which lying party of clowns am I going to vote for this year?

[dave]

No, not, not voting. No vote doesn't get counted, spoiling a vote does and sends a message.

[Guest wino]

When are the elections by the way 1st or 8th?

[Guest Gertie100]

So applying the spoilt vote to my question - if all votes counted were spoilt who would be elected?

[Guest wino]

Don't look at me I don't want the job! :o

[Conniff]

Ok - so taking that to extremes, no one votes (I know it won't happen) but if it did what would the outcome be? I mean literally, what would be the procedure?

 

Could never happen - there will always be some votes, themselves and their families.

 

Also a 'spoilt vote' is not the right way to go as it could let in who you don't want.

 

If two people had 10 votes each and you spoil one, that is the same as two votes lost.

Your spoilt vote will mean that one of the people gets 9 votes and the other 10 whereas if you used that vote, one would get 9 and the other 11 so a more decisive victory and less chance of a recount demand.

[Guest Gertie100]

So, it is best to vote then!

[Tom87]

I turned 18 a couple of days after a general election. It was the most frustrating experience of my life. It annoys me so much that people who are lucky enough to vote, and what's more, in one of the most infuencial countries in the world, are either too lazy or too stubborn to do so and just waste the opportunity. While people have the right not to vote, they should seriously consider what they are doing. Nothing will improve if you refuse to vote.

[nicsussex]

Nothing will improve if you refuse to vote.

 

Oh to still be so young and idealistic!

[Tom87]

Oh to still be so young and idealistic!

 

I know one vote might not make a difference, but anyone who refuses to vote and then moans about the MP who wins their constituency has only got themself to blame for refusing to vote for anyone else to stop them.

[dave]

But then you have to ask yourself why there is about a 40% turn out in the UK, yet about a 98% turnout in France.

 

In France, there is diversity between the parties - they range from extreme left to extreme right.

 

In the UK they range from slightly right of middle to slightly right of middle. They literally ARE the same.

[Bookworm]

In France, there is diversity between the parties - they range from extreme left to extreme right.

Not so you'd notice these days, when even the lefties had to choose between the right and the even more right. THEN they got off their a*ses and vote to stop the more extreme-right getting in, but that wouldn't have happened if they had voted in the first round and voted for the left candidate(s).

 

The above is the perfect example as to why Tom87 and Gertie are quite correct. ;-) I guarantee that next election, the turnout will be a lot higher than it has been for a long, long time. By then of course, Sarko will have milked the country dry and have destroyed 50 or 100 years of social advances.

[Guest Gertie100]

*crash*

 

that's me picking myself up off the floor!!!!

 

 

(runs around the room shouting "bookie thinks I'm right!!!!!" very loudly)

[JonCris]

I'll vote for the Devil or even the Monster Raving Loony Party if it meant getting rid of this shower of self serving bums

[dave]

That's the problem though - we have a two horse race (and have had since the 30s).

 

Our choices are to replace the self-serving parasites with yet another bunch of self-serving parasites.

 

Which way to go? None of the above - I'll be spoiling my vote.

[Guest wino]

Dave why don't you start your own party. I would vote for you (seriously)

[Guest Gertie100]

Wino - you took the words right out of my mouth!

[Tom87]

Which way to go? None of the above - I'll be spoiling my vote.

 

Then don't complain if the sitation never changes and the person you didn't want gets in - you would have contributed to it yourself.

[dave]

Couldn't afford the deposit.

[dave]

Then don't complain if the sitation never changes and the person you didn't want gets in - you would have contributed to it yourself.

 

I will complain. The person I want won't get in even if I do vote - there is no choice. As there is no 'none of the above' box, the next best thing is a spoiled vote.

 

I remember all too well just how badly the Tories faired when the power went to their heads 16,17% interest rate, record repossesions, deliberate running down of the NHS etc... I am living the nightmare of this government at the moment. Which to choose from? Errr....neither. Both will fill their own coffers and create "jobs for the boys" - I can see no advantage to voting this lot out, or the other lot in.

 

By spoiling my vote, it is a counted vote - if the number of spoiled votes outnumbers the *real* votes, then I think this sends a very powerful message.