Why do so many people not vote?

[anonymous-user]

The Hypno-Toad said:

The whole economic well-being of this country is based on one thing and that's low interest rates.

Nope. Everyone else has low rates to and you're doing better than most. You have 'better' demographics than most though. Your 'economic well-being' per capita isn't so rosey.

The Hypno-Toad said:

If the market crashes and mortgage costs start going through the roof...

The last thing that will happen if the market crashes is rates going up. The BoE is obviously accutely aware that if they try to raise rates they will more than likely cause a market crash, there is no pressure for them to do so.

The Hypno-Toad said:

If you don't vote, you have no right to complain...

Bo11ocks. In practice for many, myself included, our votes are worthless.

[The Hypno-Toad]

rover 623gsi said:

so what you're actually saying is "you should vote, but only if you vote the same way as me"

Nope, you might be frightened of a government that is fiscally stable, wants to encourage people to work and look after themselves, takes the defence of the country both external and internally seriously and wants make sure we still have a credible voice on the world stage.

But again if you don't vote, don't complain when they cut benefits, lay off thousands of public sector workers, introduce more zero hour contracts, allow multi-nationals from other countries to come and buy our companies before then ruining their products and making hundreds of workers redundant all for the sake of the share price.

The point is whoever you think is right for the country vote for them. Because then if it goes wrong, you have a moral right to complain because you made the effort.

[The Hypno-Toad]

fblm said:

Bo11ocks. In practice for many, myself included, our votes are worthless.

So that the fact that many millions of people died in WWII in order for you to still have that vote means nothing to you then?

[steviegunn]

This election is the first where I really don't know who to vote for:

Labour - No, not after the last screw up and PM Miliband? God no!

SNP - Nope, shifted far to the left for me, if they were still the Tartan Tories, then maybe.

Here is a straight fight between Labour and SNP, so the others; Tories, Lib Dems, TUSC and NF haven't much of a chance (the last two I could never vote for anyway), UKIP and Greens didn't even field a candidate.

So do I vote for a no hoper (Tory or Lib Dem)? Or SNP in the hope it at least scuppers Labour's chances?

None of the options appeal.

I'll probably vote Lib Dem on the off chance that there are lots of others like me and we get an upset, they've not been too bad over the last 5 years and don't get any credit for actually helping the Tories get the country through the st storm after the credit crunch.

[Negative Creep]

The Hypno-Toad said:

fblm said:

Bo11ocks. In practice for many, myself included, our votes are worthless.

So that the fact that many millions of people died in WWII in order for you to still have that vote means nothing to you then?

Millions died to defend Nazism and communism as well

[rover 623gsi]

The Hypno-Toad said:

rover 623gsi said:

so what you're actually saying is "you should vote, but only if you vote the same way as me"

Nope, you might be frightened of a government that is fiscally stable, wants to encourage people to work and look after themselves, takes the defence of the country both external and internally seriously and wants make sure we still have a credible voice on the world stage.

But again if you don't vote, don't complain when they cut benefits, lay off thousands of public sector workers, introduce more zero hour contracts, allow multi-nationals from other countries to come and buy our companies before then ruining their products and making hundreds of workers redundant all for the sake of the share price.

The point is whoever you think is right for the country vote for them. Because then if it goes wrong, you have a moral right to complain because you made the effort.

you said: People need to wake up in the next couple of weeks to the problems a crippled parliament or a government tied to a coalition based on 70s ideas of a left wing Utopia and the politics of envy, will create.

that makes it pretty clear that you are not simply suggesting that people should vote, but that they should vote in a particular way

[The Hypno-Toad]

rover 623gsi said:

you said: People need to wake up in the next couple of weeks to the problems a crippled parliament or a government tied to a coalition based on 70s ideas of a left wing Utopia and the politics of envy, will create.

that makes it pretty clear that you are not simply suggesting that people should vote, but that they should vote in a particular way

That's the way I'll be voting yes. But if you read my second post, I just want as many people as possible to vote because otherwise we don't have democracy.

[Finlandia]

In my case it is because I am not allowed to vote in the government/parliament election in the country where I live, yet I am allowed to vote in a country where I haven't lived for 20 years, guess if I do.

[rover 623gsi]

sure, there will be some people who don't vote because they can't be bothered, but there are just as many non-voters who consciously choose to exercise their democratic right not to vote

[anonymous-user]

The Hypno-Toad said:

So that the fact that many millions of people died in WWII in order for you to still have that vote means nothing to you then?

It might if that were actually a 'fact' rather than emotive claptrap. In any event the value of my vote is not determined by how I feel about it. It's determined by the fact that the person I would vote for stands about as much chance of being elected as I do of being invited to the local mosques celebratory hog roast and piss up when Labour wins.

[cymtriks]

The Hypno-Toad said:

So that the fact that many millions of people died in WWII in order for you to still have that vote means nothing to you then?

Er...

That war had exactly zero to do with democracy.

Our allies included Russia (not a democracy) and our enemies included an elected leader (Mr H himself). Bits of our Empire fought on our side that didn't vote for the leaders that sent them to war.

[PurpleTurtle]

The Hypno-Toad said:

So that the fact that many millions of people died in WWII in order for you to still have that vote means nothing to you then?

Whilst I broadly agree with the 'they died for our freedom' line, I think it was more a fight against the tyranny of the Third Reich.

Nobody went into battle thinking "the good people of Henley On Thames will thank me for this, especially those Labour voters who have diddly squat chance of their bloke ever getting in. Anyway, for you Fritz, ze war is over.".

FPTP ensures a convenient merry-go-round between the two main parties, hence no impetus from them to change it.
The Fib Dems did well last time out, but I suspect their core support has ditched them over the concessions they had to make in coalition, so we'll be back to two parties toughing it out, with UKIP upsetting the applecart.

I'd be interested to see results if the 'None of the above' box was actually: http://www.electoral-reform.org.uk/what-we-stand-f...

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 23 April 00:41

Edited by PurpleTurtle on Thursday 23 April 00:44

[King Herald]

PurpleMoonlight said:

I am 53 and have never voted, either general or local elections.

Essentially, none of those on offer appeal to me.

But most other people have voted, and look at the bloody mess the country is in right now. So you've done no harm in not voting, that is pretty clear.


All the folks up the thread arguing over who is going to do what, are just spouting about the election promises made by the crooks trying to get into power.

As I have said repeatedly over the years, if any government were indeed as good as they say they are going to be, why are they voted out every four years??????

Do they lie, or are the great unwashed simply too stupid to vote the right people in????

[JB!]

rover 623gsi said:

JB! said:

Not at all, what I want is a plan that say in 20 years we would like the UK to look like this, or as close to it as world events allow.

2015 is quite different to 1995

Is it though?

Technologically, yes, but really that far off? its been pretty stagnant for quite some time.

[LordGrover]

I think that's true. Maggie and to some extent John Major privatized or sold most of what was sensible, but then along came new labour who went on to spend everything and then sell what wasn't sensible, and of course gold reserves. We are in a similar position but nothing in our back pocket or saved for a rainy day.

[100SRV]

Murph7355 said:

1. Arguably people died to give a choice to vote or not.
2. I suppose many just can't be bothered.
3. Some won't because they consider themselves in a safe seat so what's the point.
4. Many can't see the difference between different colours of idiot. Some will forget.
5. All manner of reasons. With the way our politicians have gone I'm surprised so many vote!

Very aware that people have died for the right to vote.
I agree with 4:

Very disappointed that what is on offer is different shades of idiots with vested interests.
Amused by the ripples caused by a straight talker (UKIP)

Perhaps time to change the system from career politicians to something like jury service - each county appoints a cabinet of 11 made up from locals selected at random from the electoral roll. Each county cabinet appoints a foreman who must attend Palace of Westminster - their colleagues are welcome to attend as required.

Get rid of sides or shades in politics and replace with normal folk working for the common good.

[BlackLabel]

Because politicians never tell us the truth.

bbc said:

Four of the major parties have not provided "anything like full details" on plans to cut the deficit, the Institute for Fiscal Studies has said.

The think-tank said "broad outlines" of the choice on offer were on show but the electorate had been left "somewhere in the dark" over cuts planned by the Tories, Labour, Lib Dems and SNP.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32424739

Also politicians don't really interact with the public either, not properly. All we see now are stage managed visits to schools, facrtories, hospitals etc where the audience is vetted.

I'm not old enough to remember the 1992 election however from what I've read John Major used to go up and down the country and speak to people from a soap box. Can you imagine any of the leaders doing that now?

That said, I still vote because I think people who don't vote don't have a right to then moan about politics.

[anonymous-user]

My 2p

I am 45 and have only ever voted once, despite being engaged and interested.

I voted in 1997 and I voted for Martin Bell. I would have voted Labour had Martin Bell not stood in my constituency.

After a few years I realised what folly that would have been so I ended up despising party politics across the board. I currently live in a very safe Tory seat.

I contend that the system is corrupt and all the parties are complicit. So I just try and go about my daily life making it up as I go along and trying not to get in trouble. I haven't got the skills, money or drive to try and change the system so I'll give creating my own party a miss.

I am sure there are some decent conviction politicians out there somewhere but I have yet to meet one.

[rover 623gsi]

BlackLabel said:

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-32424739

Also politicians don't really interact with the public either, not properly. All we see now are stage managed visits to schools, facrtories, hospitals etc where the audience is vetted.

I'm not old enough to remember the 1992 election however from what I've read John Major used to go up and down the country and speak to people from a soap box. Can you imagine any of the leaders doing that now?

That said, I still vote because I think people who don't vote don't have a right to then moan about politics.

I liked Major (and I’m a leftie) but the soapbox thing was a gimmick for the cameras. PR and spin are nothing new in politics.

[King Herald]

desolate said:

I contend that the system is corrupt and all the parties are complicit. So I just try and go about my daily life making it up as I go along and trying not to get in trouble. I haven't got the skills, money or drive to try and change the system so I'll give creating my own party a miss.

My own opinion too.