Why do so many people not vote?
Discussion
kev b said:
I don't vote any more because I live in such a safe seat that my vote can make no difference.
I am the same (supposedly safe seat), though with the ups and downs at the moment, I wonder how safe. I have spoiled my paper in the past, especially for the local council where it was mostly liberal candidates one year. But that does not really do anything. The winner sees it as a win. But the last election the gap dropped, has it has over the years.wc98 said:
pesty posted a good example why in the election thread earlier https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3cPah7lSWV4&ap... .
Wow! hidetheelephants said:
What total arse that survey is; the error band would swallow most of those differences, never mind the fact IQ is a s
t measure of anything. I'd define voting for the economic illiteracy and anti-everything policy of the Greens a good measure of how stupid someone is.
Have you misread or have I misunderstood your argument? The sample size is 6000 t measure of anything. I'd define voting for the economic illiteracy and anti-everything policy of the Greens a good measure of how stupid someone is.
.Slaav said:
Lastly, if you don't vote? Then shut the fk up for the next five years pls? 
No.k up for the next five years pls? There's a lot more to democracy than the ritual of going to put a tick in a certain box once every 5 years. In my view voting is the granting of consent to a form of government offered by those seeking election. It's up to those seeking election to make a persuasive case for voters to grant this consent.
If none of them do this then there is no obligation to engage in some silly game of "least bad" and you forfeit no right to criticise of complain when you disagree with the decisions of those selected by others. It's not as though disagreement with any one particular policy automatically means you believe any alternative party would have done better.
And it isn't as if there is no alternative to our current mish mash representative democracy - there's outright anarchy, syndicalism, local autonomy to name but 3. None of these are going to be particularly advanced by voting for one party over the other.
I would go the other way and say that it's those who do vote who legitimise and so perpetuate the current system whose complaints have the least legitimacy when the chosen party doesn't govern in the way they would like.
speedy_thrills said:
Greens actually attract the clever clogs it seems.
Interesting in that study actually that the thick people tended to opt not to vote.
Green voters average IQ 108.....Not exactly rocket scientistsInteresting in that study actually that the thick people tended to opt not to vote.
Actually the range of averages for the political parties in the article (99-108) are all much the same. A bit like saying that the average height of a Green voter is 1cm more than the average height of a Labour voter.
vonuber said:
maxxy5 said:
The first past the post system means a lot of people's votes don't count if it's a safe seat. It's in the interests of the two main parties to keep it that way.
This I suspect is a big driver. 
Absolute load of arse.I spoil my ballot because:
Labour: Wants us back in the 70's
Conservatives: Want to privatize the world at my expense
UKIP: Want us back to some alternate universe 50's
Greens: Want us back to the glorious soviet republic or the stone age
SNP: Want all the things and the south east to pay for them
BNP: Enoch Powell and football hooligans
Lib Dems: Happy with any of the above provided they gain in the polls
I don't want a 4 year manifesto, I want to see a 20 year plan for a favourable pound in terms of both import and native labour costs, I want to see a structured plan to improve transport links throughout the UK, I want to see managed migration and active integration into the Great British culture, I want to see education stripped back to basics, and apprenticeships seen as equal to spending time at uni, I want to see fair punishments for crimes, and open policing, scrap plastics and actually make coppers respected, an NHS that isn't a black hole of money, but is a national asset, a welfare system that encourages and rewards you for working when your chips are down, and a general common sense, long-term view of whats best for keeping the British Isles in our unique position. Fair taxes for individuals and big businesses (looking at you Amazon and Starbucks), a healthy tax-free allowance that you could actually live on, and a flat rate that doesn't punish success, actively encourage higher rate taxpayers to stay in the UK and pay taxes into our coffers. ETA - I want business actively encouraged to profit share, and employees encouraged to be partners or shareholders, If you are working hard and the business is making money, why shouldn't you see some of that reward?
I don't think I'm being unreasonable, but i'm sick of "the next 4 years" and lining of pockets. Its pathetic.
Labour: Wants us back in the 70's
Conservatives: Want to privatize the world at my expense
UKIP: Want us back to some alternate universe 50's
Greens: Want us back to the glorious soviet republic or the stone age
SNP: Want all the things and the south east to pay for them
BNP: Enoch Powell and football hooligans
Lib Dems: Happy with any of the above provided they gain in the polls
I don't want a 4 year manifesto, I want to see a 20 year plan for a favourable pound in terms of both import and native labour costs, I want to see a structured plan to improve transport links throughout the UK, I want to see managed migration and active integration into the Great British culture, I want to see education stripped back to basics, and apprenticeships seen as equal to spending time at uni, I want to see fair punishments for crimes, and open policing, scrap plastics and actually make coppers respected, an NHS that isn't a black hole of money, but is a national asset, a welfare system that encourages and rewards you for working when your chips are down, and a general common sense, long-term view of whats best for keeping the British Isles in our unique position. Fair taxes for individuals and big businesses (looking at you Amazon and Starbucks), a healthy tax-free allowance that you could actually live on, and a flat rate that doesn't punish success, actively encourage higher rate taxpayers to stay in the UK and pay taxes into our coffers. ETA - I want business actively encouraged to profit share, and employees encouraged to be partners or shareholders, If you are working hard and the business is making money, why shouldn't you see some of that reward?
I don't think I'm being unreasonable, but i'm sick of "the next 4 years" and lining of pockets. Its pathetic.
Edited by JB! on Tuesday 21st April 10:02
Edited by JB! on Tuesday 21st April 14:20
maxxy5 said:
It's in the interests of the two main parties to keep it that way.
A SNP/Lab coalition might see the Tories changing their views with support from the LDs and UKIP. Sudden switch in position of the Tories to support Scottish separation... better to rule England alone than see it destroyed by the SNP.speedy_thrills said:
hidetheelephants said:
speedy_thrills said:
Mr_B said:
...rather than even supporting the total madness of ultra left wing gibberish that is the Green party...
Greens appear to be picking up support however.Interesting in that study actually that the thick people tended to opt not to vote.
I am a LibDem by nature and beliefs, but I feel that the LibDem party is just a bunch of greedy and for the most part unqualified pratts looking for power. They have zero backbone and even less of an actual plan with a moral compass of weathervane.
Actually I feel like I am watching a st tv-series where none of the protagonists are likeable or even someone I can relate to. Just a bunch of detached from reality geezers playing game of thrones. Regardless of who becomes king, I will be shafted anyway.
Actually I feel like I am watching a s
t tv-series where none of the protagonists are likeable or even someone I can relate to. Just a bunch of detached from reality geezers playing game of thrones. Regardless of who becomes king, I will be shafted anyway.My girlfriend is registered to vote, but had never voted in a general or local elections. She cannot stand politics, finds it very boring and when i watch questiontime, newsnight or the recent debates finds it a good use of her time to catch up on some sleep.
I have pushed her on why she doesn't vote and she says she thinks all politicians are the same, she doesn't understand what they stand for, and from her perspective she cannot relate to them.
I suspect there are lots of similar people in the same boat of just have no interest anymore.
I have pushed her on why she doesn't vote and she says she thinks all politicians are the same, she doesn't understand what they stand for, and from her perspective she cannot relate to them.
I suspect there are lots of similar people in the same boat of just have no interest anymore.
The great majority of parliamentary constituencies do not change party allegiance in elections.
Therefore, although there will be 650 individual contests in the 2015 general election, the outcome will be determined in a much smaller number. In 12 of the 17 general elections since 1950, fewer than one-in-ten seats changed hands from one party to another. Even in the massive Labour landslide of 1997, some 70% of seats stayed with the parties defending them.
Overwhelmingly, general elections are dominated by contests in seats where, realistically, only two parties are in the running
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25949029
Therefore, although there will be 650 individual contests in the 2015 general election, the outcome will be determined in a much smaller number. In 12 of the 17 general elections since 1950, fewer than one-in-ten seats changed hands from one party to another. Even in the massive Labour landslide of 1997, some 70% of seats stayed with the parties defending them.
Overwhelmingly, general elections are dominated by contests in seats where, realistically, only two parties are in the running
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25949029
The problem is whoever gets into power does not represent the majority of the people.Unless people are forced to vote but would that make any difference? Another five years of policies which will divide the country even more.Maybe proposional representation which was voted against.The tail wagging the dog.But is that so bad?
I'm the other way round, have never ever voted but have now registered because I can see how voting anything but Tories is going to undo the "austerity" we have had to go through the last 5 years, i say give us another 5 years of it and be out of the stter once and for all. Wouldn't want the next generation footing the bill for our huge fk ups.
Unfortunately people only think of themselves when voting, so any austerity is going to be received like a fresh turd on their shoe.
God help us if we try to spend our way out of this mess.
tter once and for all. Wouldn't want the next generation footing the bill for our huge fk ups.Unfortunately people only think of themselves when voting, so any austerity is going to be received like a fresh turd on their shoe.
God help us if we try to spend our way out of this mess.
rover 623gsi said:
The great majority of parliamentary constituencies do not change party allegiance in elections.
Therefore, although there will be 650 individual contests in the 2015 general election, the outcome will be determined in a much smaller number. In 12 of the 17 general elections since 1950, fewer than one-in-ten seats changed hands from one party to another. Even in the massive Labour landslide of 1997, some 70% of seats stayed with the parties defending them.
Overwhelmingly, general elections are dominated by contests in seats where, realistically, only two parties are in the running
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25949029
Similar to the problem faced in the USA, whereby the Presidential election is won by the small number of 'swing states', where the billions of US dollars get spent on electioneering.Therefore, although there will be 650 individual contests in the 2015 general election, the outcome will be determined in a much smaller number. In 12 of the 17 general elections since 1950, fewer than one-in-ten seats changed hands from one party to another. Even in the massive Labour landslide of 1997, some 70% of seats stayed with the parties defending them.
Overwhelmingly, general elections are dominated by contests in seats where, realistically, only two parties are in the running
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-politics-25949029
JB! said:
I spoil my ballot because:
Labour: Wants us back in the 70's
Conservatives: Want to privatize the world at my expense
UKIP: Want us back to some alternate universe 50's
Greens: Want us back to the glorious soviet republic or the stone age
SNP: Want all the things and the south east to pay for them
BNP: Enoch Powell and football holigans
Lib Dems: Happy with any of the above provided they gain in the polls
I don't want a 4 year manifesto, I want to see a 20 year plan for a favourable pound in terms of both import and native labour costs, I want to see a structured plan to improve transport links throughout the UK, I want to see managed migration and active integration into the Great British culture, I want to see education stripped back to basics, and apprenticeships seen as equal to spending time at uni, I want to see fair punishments for crimes, and open policing, scrap plastics and actually make coppers respected, an NHS that isn't a black hole of money, but is a national asset, a welfare system that encourages and rewards you for working when your chips are down, and a general common sense, long-term view of whats best for keeping the British Isles in our unique position. Fair taxes for individuals and big businesses (looking at you Amazon and Starbucks), a healthy tax-free allowance that you could actually live on, and a flat rate that doesn't punish success, actively encourage higher rate taxpayers to stay in the UK and pay taxes into our coffers. ETA - I want business actively encouraged to profit share, and employees encouraged to be partners or shareholders, If you are working hard and the business is making money, why shouldn't you see some of that reward?
I don't think I'm being unreasonable, but i'm sick of "the next 4 years" and lining of pockets. Its pathetic.
did you have a hand in writing the ukip manifesto ? it certainly sounded like it . then i read your comment on ukip and realised you had not even read it. Labour: Wants us back in the 70's
Conservatives: Want to privatize the world at my expense
UKIP: Want us back to some alternate universe 50's
Greens: Want us back to the glorious soviet republic or the stone age
SNP: Want all the things and the south east to pay for them
BNP: Enoch Powell and football holigans
Lib Dems: Happy with any of the above provided they gain in the polls
I don't want a 4 year manifesto, I want to see a 20 year plan for a favourable pound in terms of both import and native labour costs, I want to see a structured plan to improve transport links throughout the UK, I want to see managed migration and active integration into the Great British culture, I want to see education stripped back to basics, and apprenticeships seen as equal to spending time at uni, I want to see fair punishments for crimes, and open policing, scrap plastics and actually make coppers respected, an NHS that isn't a black hole of money, but is a national asset, a welfare system that encourages and rewards you for working when your chips are down, and a general common sense, long-term view of whats best for keeping the British Isles in our unique position. Fair taxes for individuals and big businesses (looking at you Amazon and Starbucks), a healthy tax-free allowance that you could actually live on, and a flat rate that doesn't punish success, actively encourage higher rate taxpayers to stay in the UK and pay taxes into our coffers. ETA - I want business actively encouraged to profit share, and employees encouraged to be partners or shareholders, If you are working hard and the business is making money, why shouldn't you see some of that reward?
I don't think I'm being unreasonable, but i'm sick of "the next 4 years" and lining of pockets. Its pathetic.
Edited by JB! on Tuesday 21st April 10:02
Well based on http://www.voterpower.org.uk/
My constituency has an MP NOT wanted by some 65% of the voters.
Furthermore, politicians are so odious, so hypocritical, generally loathsome and dishonest scumbags that there's not a single one I trust.
This image accurately provides a metaphor for how I view them.
My constituency has an MP NOT wanted by some 65% of the voters.
Furthermore, politicians are so odious, so hypocritical, generally loathsome and dishonest scumbags that there's not a single one I trust.
This image accurately provides a metaphor for how I view them.
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