Politics The General Election 2015

[Zarjazz]

People who doesn't vote are basically saying that democracy doesn't work

Wrong. It's someones democratic right to not vote, that's kind of what democracy means

@Scouse & @Raven have already said their votes are pointless. I could say my choice to not vote is equally valid because of the way the current system works, maybe if the turnout is low enough changes will be made.

 

[CorNokZ]

Ofc, but at least stick an empty ballot in the voting box(whatever it is called?). Otherwise you haven't participated, and that is what I think is wrong.

 

[old.user4556]

Nailed by the Mash

http://www.thedailymash.co.uk/polit...r-the-tories-is-a-vote-for-ukip-2015021295288

 

[Scouse]

Ofc, but at least stick an empty ballot in the voting box(whatever it is called?). Otherwise you haven't participated, and that is what I think is wrong.

Nope. It simply legitimises what in your opinion is an illegitimate system.

Freedom not to vote is an important freedom and says something very specific that spoiled ballots don't.

 

[Gwadien]

I'm not voting in either of my areas because both are labour strongholds so there's little point tbh, I know people will say 'yeah but if all those people who didn't vote voted...' no, seriously it's like a super fortress.

I wouldn't know who to vote for anyway tbh, none of the policies effect me directly enough, and I get the cold functional aspect of the Tories but I also get the unrealistic morality of Labour.

 

[Tom]

I'm not voting in either of my areas because both are labour strongholds so there's little point tbh, I know people will say 'yeah but if all those people who didn't vote voted...' no, seriously it's like a super fortress.

I wouldn't know who to vote for anyway tbh, none of the policies effect me directly enough, and I get the cold functional aspect of the Tories but I also get the unrealistic morality of Labour.

I live in a Labour stronghold so I voted Green. Not because I think they'd make a good government, rather because they're the only party who've promised to invest massively in walking and cycling. While the candidates I voted for have little to no chance of winning, at least by supporting them I can help sway the winning candidate's opinions on such matters. I suggest you think about doing the same.

 

[Gwadien]

I live in a Labour stronghold so I voted Green. Not because I think they'd make a good government, rather because they're the only party who've promised to invest massively in walking and cycling. While the candidates I voted for have little to no chance of winning, at least by supporting them I can help sway the winning candidate's opinions on such matters. I suggest you think about doing the same.

I'm not a hippy doe.

Even so, I don't know who to vote for.

Greens are too unrealistic and its annoying me how my peers accept them as realistic. They're a revolutionary party. The only way they would work is if the rest of Europe, at a mininum followed suit.

Ukip can suck my dick.

Lib Dems were an idea. Then I remembered 2010 then they weren't.

Then yeah Labour or Tories, I mean I don't contribute at the minute, I'm going into teaching which is relatively safe, although naturally I should vote Labour.

But the immediate people around me need the Tories to 'suceed'

Trust me @Tom if I truly believed in the policies of a tiny party that has no hope then I'd vote for them, but I don't.

 

[Tom]

I wasn't suggesting that you vote Green, rather than you vote for whoever supports what you think is most important.

 

[Bodhi]

Nope. It simply legitimises what in your opinion is an illegitimate system.

Freedom not to vote is an important freedom and says something very specific that spoiled ballots don't.

Yes. It shows you can't be arsed to turn up to the ballot box to show your disapproval. Apathy like that just makes the politicos think that they can do what they want.

Voting later on after work. I live in a Tory safe seat, and plan on voting for them too. They've done a decent job of clearing up after the war criminals, happy for them to have another 5 years.

 

[Gwadien]

All the full time mummies voting UKIP.

Damn immigrants taking their jobs.

 

[Aoami]

I've had two Uber drivers tell me they're voting UKIP in the last two weeks. One was Somalian the other was Afghan. It takes all sorts.

 

[Gwadien]

I've had two Uber drivers tell me they're voting UKIP in the last two weeks. One was Somalian the other was Afghan. It takes all sorts.

I may have posted it here before, but I can't remember.

My housemate is Polish, and his dad was here the other day, and he was on about them voting Tories/UKIP, mainly because they get sick of the British people on benefits whilst all the Poles are working, and then the Romanians also jump on the benefits bandwagon, was quite amusing.

 

[Raven]

If there was a party that suggested we booted out career dole abusers (regardless of nationality, can't discriminate) then I would vote for them in an instant.

 

[Moriath]

I'm not voting in either of my areas because both are labour strongholds so there's little point tbh, I know people will say 'yeah but if all those people who didn't vote voted...' no, seriously it's like a super fortress.

I wouldn't know who to vote for anyway tbh, none of the policies effect me directly enough, and I get the cold functional aspect of the Tories but I also get the unrealistic morality of Labour.

So student loans and payments do t affect you?

 

[Raven]

Despite what some students will tell you (and bleating socialists) the student loan system is pretty good (not perfect!) You pay it back at a tiny rate and a lot of it will end up getting written off anyway.

You start paying it back at 25k a year and it comes out of your salary. If you stop earning or earn less than that then you stop paying it back until you are back above 25k again.

Yeah it would be nice if it was free but it would also be nice if cars ran on unicorn farts.

 

[Scouse]

Apathy like that

Incorrect. If you think the current *system* is illegitimate/a sham then you do not vote. If you think the current parties are all rubbish then you spoil your ballot.

Not voting on this basis is nothing to do with apathy and is consistent with principled freedom of expression.

Dunno why I'm saying that to you tho - I've pointed this out clearly multiple times and you still can't see it/don't care to see it...

 

[old.user4556]

Yeah it would be nice if it was free but it would also be nice if cars ran on unicorn farts.

Well, in Scotland they do. Alex Salmond told me so.

 

[Job]

UKIP wouldn't stop people coming in to take jobs, they simply want to introduce the points system which would pick out higher skilled, law abiding (hopefully) workers who will bring prosperity to the UK and keep it firmly on the world map, the policy at the moment is, let them all in and it'll sort itself out eventually, the cost of this policy is ghettos, broken cultures and swathes of bubbling racism...that's how Ukip came about.

 

[Yoni]

Sorry but not showing up is just apathy and bullshit... Turning up and spoiling your vote is a true protest.

Besides it's nice weather today so labour voters will be out in their numbers

 

[Gwadien]

So student loans and payments do t affect you?

Well yeah, as @Raven correctly states, all the parties are going on about student loans, but in actual fact, people don't actually know the reality of student loans.

We really don't give a fuck about the fees, because end of the day, we'll most likely not be paying it back in full.

But the issue is the maintenance loans, which parties aren't looking into - because it's a non-issue in their eyes:

Poor students get loads of money, rich students get fuck all but mummy and daddy cover it, people like myself are a minority, so why bother yourself with further debt for such a minority?

Labour saying OMG WE'LL CHANGE FEES FROM £9k to £6k is laughable.

 

[DaGaffer]

UKIP wouldn't stop people coming in to take jobs, they simply want to introduce the points system which would pick out higher skilled, law abiding (hopefully) workers who will bring prosperity to the UK and keep it firmly on the world map, the policy at the moment is, let them all in and it'll sort itself out eventually, the cost of this policy is ghettos, broken cultures and swathes of bubbling racism...that's how Ukip came about.

FFS. You can't bring in a points system for EU citizens. Can't. Not allowed. Misses the whole fucking point of "free movement of labour". So you have to leave the EU, and the economy collapses (50% of UK's trade is to the EU and is in services not goods, so unlike the oft-used Norway or Switzerland examples, who's trade is mainly in products (oil and pharma), the services sold wouldn't be treated the same way if Britain was outside the EU). The points system is fine for non-EU citizens and is already in place, but points-qualified doctors don't generally arrive under a train and go and work in the black economy anyway.

 

[Raven]

Speaking of which, I applied for my next chunk of tax payers money for next term today. Will need to get my Nus card renewed too for subsidised pizza.

 

[Bodhi]

Incorrect. If you think the current *system* is illegitimate/a sham then you do not vote. If you think the current parties are all rubbish then you spoil your ballot.

Not voting on this basis is nothing to do with apathy and is consistent with principled freedom of expression.

Dunno why I'm saying that to you tho - I've pointed this out clearly multiple times and you still can't see it/don't care to see it...

I know you've pointed this out in the past, I'm just restating my opinion - which is that you are wrong.

 

[Scouse]

Sorry but not showing up is just apathy and bullshit... Turning up and spoiling your vote is a true protest.

Not being provocative - but can you tell me how you show your distaste for the system as opposed to the parties like this?

If you reread what I posted then that clearly leaves room for both types of protest (and the apathetic, sure, but also principled non-voting objection).

Your thinking on this leaves no room for that form of protest/opinion.

How are people supposed to express that opinion in your interpretation?

 

[Raven]

By voting for the party that most represent's their view (Such as you voting for the Greens) or joining (or forming) an organisation that does.

Most people I know who aren't voting are doing so because they cba, or just don't care which I am sure is the case for the vast majority of people who don't vote. The parties know this and they really couldn't care less what they think, even if they do have ideas or concerns. They can piss and moan about whatever they like, it makes no difference to the outcome of the election, policy or how the parties set themselves up. By abstaining they are helping to keep the system they hate so much in place.

They would love to gain the votes of people who are willing to vote nobody by spoiling their ballot, if everyone who didn't vote because they don't like the system, spoiled their ballot then maybe the politicians might start listening and you might see a party form that would like to drive change. It might trigger debate in the same way the rise of UKIP has caused positive debate (rather than ignoring the elephant in the room)

 

[old.user4556]

but points-qualified doctors don't generally arrive under a train

This gave me much lols. I was on a work conference call and hadn't muted my blackberry. Cue fumbling for mute button as I stifled a snigger.

 

[Yoni]

For me spoiling a vote IS the only form of protest! People all over the world have died and continue to do so in a fight to vote and yet in some western countries people have obviously forgotten what has been sacrificed to have this human right!

If I had my way anyone who didn't vote / spoil their vote for more than one consecutive election should be punitively fined or if unemployed required to carryout a service free in their local community until the next general election.... I feel very strongly about this as you can see

 

[Moriath]

For me spoiling a vote IS the only form of protest! People all over the world have died and continue to do so in a fight to vote and yet in some western countries people have obviously forgotten what has been sacrificed to have this human right!

If I had my way anyone who didn't vote / spoil their vote for more than one consecutive election should be punitively fined or if unemployed required to carryout a service free in their local community until the next general election.... I feel very strongly about this as you can see

People are dying for the right to choose. Choosing not to vote is one valid choice.

 

[Gumbo]

I understand the sentiment, but a spoiled vote, not matter how creatively you do it, just ends up on the pile with the tards who put too many crosses on, sign their ballots or just cover them in drool.. Until there's a none of the above option you need to vote properly or not at all.

 

[Scouse]

You don't get my question / doesn't answer it.

For example - what if you think this system is a sham? How would participating in a lie help? Or what if you don't believe in democracy and would like to see a move to another system - participation would work directly against your wishes in this case...