Voting tomorrow, is there any point?

[Hacker Khan]

I don't agree... not wanting democracy but wanting someone worth voting for aren't quite the same.



Whoever offers 2p off a pint of beer will get elected, the country is ruled by the mob minded, the ones who can't get out of the middle lane of the motorway, can't manage to get their black bags INTO their bins, or have 4 kids under 16.... 3 of which are pregnant.

Doesn't matter who I'd vote for as it probably will make NO significant difference to my life OR my childrens (who will have to put up with the crap we already have now no matter what).

Think you'll find the country is ruled by mostly privately educated MPs from comfortable backgrounds.

 

[Chisteve]

I think it is one of the most important elections to vote

Hopefully there will be common sense - like the Scottish referendum

The silent majority will hopefully have there say in this election

Also I'll be glad when its over as I'm sick of the hype - its seems to be a personalty vote now

 

[Deleted member 15344]

Sorry - IMO no it's not. The democratic process requires participation if it is to be valid. If you are not happy with the choices presented then you create the choice you want. Meanwhile you choose what fits best - no-one should expect a 100% fit - though these days folks do seem to think that they are entitled to get precisely what they want.

And in this election voting is especially important given that it looks to be being a close run thing with lots of claims about legitimacy or lack of legitimacy flying about. And one of the claims for legitimacy will be based upon turnout and the size and % of vote for each party. So even although your vote may not change the result in your constituency your vote will count.

So please for one day put your (perhaps understandable) cynicism away; look at the bigger picture, and cast a vote.

To quote a favourite saying - WRONG

Being in a democratic society means that you have the choice to do what you wish with your vote. Being in a democratic society means you are not forced to vote for anyone if you so wish - it's your vote - what you do with it is your choice

 

[Fish]

I'll be voting, although I've had nothing (polling card) through my door, so hopefully its just a case of going to the nearest polling station!

 

[Jimaroid]

Sorry - IMO no it's not. The democratic process requires participation if it is to be valid.

I disagree, it clearly doesn't invalidate democracy and is a functional aspect in the freedoms of political opinion.

Just to set the record straight as you've assumed my position incorrectly; I will and have always voted but I respect the right of people to abstain if that is what they choose.

 

[MegaSteve]

Living in a constituency where there will only ever be one 'winner'...
It can be hard work to motivate yourself to bother to vote...

Only ever been doorstepped the once... In the near four decades I've lived in the area...
Even the 'losers' can't be asked to bother you....

Wish every seat could be made a marginal one...
Then 'they' may have to start listening and actually act on what the electorate want...

 

[Doon frae Troon]

When I worked in local authority and a customer was sounding off about the Council I always asked them if they voted.
8/10 was a no.
I then refused to listen to any further comments on the Council.
IMO If you do not participate in the system you are denied any comment on the running of it.

I remember one magic occasion which started.......what has this council ever done for it's golfers.
Reply......Well it built the golf course you are playing on for starters.

 

[User62651]

There is a point, if you want change then you need to vote for it. Scots wanted change so we voted for it. We voted for devolution, then we voted in a majority SNP Scottish Govt, we voted to abolish tuition fees and bridge tolls and for free prescriptions as they are devolved issues, we voted no on independence...just, now we're voting for a stronger representation at Westminster be you pro or against independence. The Scottish electorate is now engaged in democracy and forcing change more than other parts of UK, all simply by voting.
It can make a difference.
Vote.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I disagree, it clearly doesn't invalidate democracy and is a functional aspect in the freedoms of political opinion.

Just to set the record straight as you've assumed my position incorrectly; I will and have always voted but I respect the right of people to abstain if that is what they choose.

Didn't assume anything at all about your position.

Anyone can abstain if that's what they want to do - I still think it's an avoidance of responsibility. And they shouldn't complain about any outcome unless they then get themselves sorted to do something about it for the next time.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

I don't care if you don't vote for someone, but every single person should (I believe) by law be forced to attend their polling station. If they don't want to tick a box, i don't care, they can scribble all over their ballot, but it might shake the apathy from some people. If they're going to have to go their anyway, they might bother to look into who their choices are.

Too much apathy, too much laziness, too much "me me me" attitude by many. If everyone who didn't vote, all voted for a new party, I believe (could be wrong this is from memory), this party would be one of the biggest straight away.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I don't care if you don't vote for someone, but every single person should (I believe) by law be forced to attend their polling station. If they don't want to tick a box, i don't care, they can scribble all over their ballot, but it might shake the apathy from some people. If they're going to have to go their anyway, they might bother to look into who their choices are.

Too much apathy, too much laziness, too much "me me me" attitude by many. If everyone who didn't vote, all voted for a new party, I believe (could be wrong this is from memory), this party would be one of the biggest straight away.

Forcing someone takes away their democratic right to have a choice

And just because someone decides not to vote doesn't mean they are - lazy or its all about them.

In a great deal amount of people I believe it's because they see no one they believe they can vote for.

If there was a none of the above vote then more may turn up and take that choice which would be a big wake up call for the parties

But you can't force people in a country that believes in free choice and free will.

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Forcing someone takes away their democratic right to have a choice

And just because someone decides not to vote doesn't mean they are - lazy or its all about them.

In a great deal amount of people I believe it's because they see no one they believe they can vote for.

If there was a none of the above vote then more may turn up and take that choice which would be a big wake up call for the parties

But you can't force people in a country that believes in free choice and free will.

I said force people to attend. Not force people to vote. 2 very different things. You can force people to attend, and still be support of "free choice and free will", they aren't mutually exclusive. If you force them to vote for someone, that is when you get the issue.

You still have a "none of the above" vote, you leave it blank. I have no issue at all with people doing this!

I disagree. The vast majority of people "I" speak to about why they aren't voting is because they don't know anything about it, and can't be bothered to look into it. That, to me, is lazy.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

I don't care if you don't vote for someone, but every single person should (I believe) by law be forced to attend their polling station. If they don't want to tick a box, i don't care, they can scribble all over their ballot, but it might shake the apathy from some people. If they're going to have to go their anyway, they might bother to look into who their choices are.

Too much apathy, too much laziness, too much "me me me" attitude by many. If everyone who didn't vote, all voted for a new party, I believe (could be wrong this is from memory), this party would be one of the biggest straight away.

pretty much this.

Turn out in Scotland is forecast to be around 80% - and given that 94% of those eligible to vote have registered that is a solid and incontrovertible starting point for the legitimacy of any result. This also suggests that folk have decided that voting matters. Hopefully the same applies to the rUK. Though I don't know the percentage registered to vote I have read talk of a turnout of under 70%. When it comes to legitimacy in respect of turnout I suspect that the MPs from Scotland will have more of a claim on legitimacy than many of those of the rest of the country.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I said force people to attend. Not force people to vote. 2 very different things. You can force people to attend, and still be support of "free choice and free will", they aren't mutually exclusive. If you force them to vote for someone, that is when you get the issue.

You still have a "none of the above" vote, you leave it blank. I have no issue at all with people doing this!

I disagree. The vast majority of people "I" speak to about why they aren't voting is because they don't know anything about it, and can't be bothered to look into it. That, to me, is lazy.

Forcing people to attend is still taking away their own choice - people can "chose" not to attend - simple as that - free will.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

pretty much this.

Turn out in Scotland is forecast to be around 80% - and given that 94% of those eligible to vote have registered that is a solid and incontrovertible starting point for the legitimacy of any result. This also suggests that folk have decided that voting matters. Hopefully the same applies to the rUK. Though I don't know the percentage registered to vote I have read talk of a turnout of under 70%. When it comes to legitimacy in respect of turnout I suspect that the MPs from Scotland will have more of a claim on legitimacy than many of those of the rest of the country.

Can you show me where this "rUK" is ? There is no such place so not sure why you keep talking about them - it's another sign or a division some people are trying to make between Scotland and other countries within the UK. It's quite simple - there is England , Wales , Scotland and N Ireland as separate countries - there is a nation working together called UK which unites the four together - there is no such place as rUK - it was a nation made up by people in Scotland to try and create a them and us - some still use it to try and ensure the divide is valid.

 

[SwingsitlikeHogan]

Forcing people to attend is still taking away their own choice - people can "chose" not to attend - simple as that - free will.

I don't get that you seem to be 'proud' of the fact that you have decided not to vote - I'd be upset and do my damnest to find some reason - any reason - to vote. But you seem to be precisely the opposite - determined NOT to vote - whatever anyone might say. Whatever.

rUK - draw a line round Scotland - the rest of the United Kingdom is rUK. Don't know where you got the idea that the rUK is a nation...merely a shorthand. maybe you'd prefer EWANI as that is explicit.

Besides - rUK is also that part of the United Kingdom that can't vote for an SNP candidate.

 

[Deleted member 15344]

I don't get that you seem to be 'proud' of the fact that you have decided not to vote - I'd be upset and do my damnest to find some reason - any reason - to vote. But you seem to be precisely the opposite - determined NOT to vote - whatever anyone might say. Whatever.

What I do or don't do is irrelevant - but whatever happens tomorrow it is my own choice - i won't judge anyone on their choice so don't judge me on mine. Not once have I said I'm proud - right now I'm actually quite sad and disappointed that our politicians are that bad that people feel they can't vote for them. But again that's their choice - don't judge them.

rUK - draw a line round Scotland - the rest of the United Kingdom is rUK. Don't know where you got the idea that the rUK is a nation...

Why would I draw a line around Scotland - even suggesting something like that just shows how you want the divide - and it's you that keeps talking about rUK like its a nation - it started last year during in the independence talk and some keep bringing it up - people like you

Either separate countries or all together - not Scotland and then the rest.

 

[fundy]

of course theres a point, whether you like them or not the 2 main options will clearly run the country differently, and I would expect most people to have a preference of these options, despite not liking the individuals. im not a fan of either but one is a far better option, both for me and the country imho so i will definitely be voting

 

[Red scorpion]

this is why I tend to stay out of political discussion as I get confused very easily.if it's rUK because you can't vote for SNP does that mean you get to vote to for Sinn Fein and plaid Cymru in England?

 

[CheltenhamHacker]

Forcing people to attend is still taking away their own choice - people can "chose" not to attend - simple as that - free will.

You can argue that stopping people from running buck naked down the middle of the m25 is restricting their choice.

I am yet to hear a good argument on why people shouldn't have to attend their polling station.

If you want to be extreme, then if you don't attend, why should you get any help from the government. It effects every single facet of your life, and you're trying to give people an easy get out clause to not be involved. I believe that the vast majority of non-voters do so apathetically, not from some deep held belief against the system.

Do you have an opinion on if we should be in/out of Europe? If so, then vote either way.
Do you have an opinion on whether austerity or increased spending will stimulate the economy? If so, then vote either way.

Two pretty big questions.

If you don't have an opinion, then educate yourself.

(The "you" is the hypothetical you, i'm not directing/assuming/judging any individual in particular)