Look Who Is Talking

Surely if you are not prepared to use your voice then you shouldn't complain!

I agree that they are all liars, and cheats but I believe that if you read all the policies there will be at least one policy that will make the difference and in that case you should decide on that.

For instance: I've ruled the Lib dems out because they want to give convicted prisoners the vote and they want to remove mandatory life sentences of convicted murderers; that is against my sensibilities and they do not promote any other significant (to me) policies that would enable me to overlook this.

I think, as I've said before, that the apathy to the democratic process is an appalling state of affairs. The weight of responsibility in a democracy should lie with the electorate.

I do not think 'it's cool to be so bored'

You like that phrase don't you? Dunno where you got it from.

The fact is that each of the parties have policies that I both strongly agree with, and disagree with. So I am only picking the lesser of four evils, which seems pointless.

None of the parties appeal to me so I am not voting for the sake of it

'it's cool to be so bored' if from a Ben Folds Five song:http://www.benfoldsfive.com/lyrics/whatever_10.html

To me, it describes the state of British politics this time around.

May I respectfully suggest that you grab a friend.

Get a printout of this page:
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/vote2...LD_UK&x=9&y=11

Weight all of the policies on how important they are to you, personally - and you have to be honest - say 5 for really important, and 0 for don't care.

Get your friend to read the policies to you and you decide which one you agree on most.

At the end of this you will (generally) have a number of ticks by a number of policies spread across a number of a parties. For each tick multiply by your weighting factor (actually just add it) and you will get a score for each party.

The one that scores highest get's your vote.

Perhaps someone with a bit of extra time on their hands should write software to do this. I would, but, y'know being a slave and all that . . .

It's simple then innit? If you don't bother turning up at the ballot you shouldn't be whingeing about policies either.

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Originally Posted by Wally Pipp

It's simple then innit? If you don't bother turning up at the ballot you shouldn't be whingeing about policies either.

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I am of the opinion that there should be some form of compulsoryness (?) about voting. Shame it's difficult to do (because voting should be anonymous)

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Originally Posted by Wally Pipp

It's simple then innit? If you don't bother turning up at the ballot you shouldn't be whingeing about policies either.

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I'm not whinging about policies. I'm whinging about the lack of imagination/commitment to poilicies.
This election seems less about the policies but more about slagg1ing each other off. Petty.

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

I am of the opinion that there should be some form of compulsoryness (?) about voting. Shame it's difficult to do (because voting should be anonymous)

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whats devolved mean, thats what is says about policies on the bbc link.

People have as much right to not vote as they have to vote. I think it is ridiculous to suggest forced voting and if you think hard about it I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion.

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Originally Posted by davebat

whats devolved mean, thats what is says about policies on the bbc link.

People have as much right to not vote as they have to vote. I think it is ridiculous to suggest forced voting and if you think hard about it I'm sure you'll come to the same conclusion.

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If there are no voters then you do not have a democracy. Is living in a free democratic country important to you?

Oh please. There will always be voters but over half of the population feel disillusioned by what goes on, so why should they vote when they cannot decide who to vote for?

I refuse to vote for a party just to keep another out of power (so called strategic voting). For example, in my constituency Labour is in power with Plaid Cymru in close second. People who would normally vote for Lib Dems/Conservative are being encouraged to vote for Plaid just to get Labour out of power....problem is the party they then have in power is STILL not the party they really wanted.
That to me just seems absolutely ridiculous.

Besides, I honestly couldn't care less who is in power because I will still end up being taxed more in many different ways and you know what, life goes on as normal.

I agree. Strategic voting is contrary to the principles of democracy - and I find it abhorrent.

Nevertheless you should choose a party that you agree with most and cast your vote. I wonder why you feel it's acceptable not to cast your vote.

If you researched a little more I'm sure that there is one party who would stand out more than the others for you and it is that party that you should vote for. You should never expect to agree with all policies of a political party - if you do - then you are one lucky fellow!! More than anything else I believe you should avoid 'personality' issues; which means you are left with the policies, and the policies alone.

And BTW, whether right or wrong, life has not gone as normal in Iraq which I believe is a direct result of the political party that was in power. The British electorate who turned out in 2001 made a real difference to millions of other human beings. Whether that difference will turn out to be a good thing, or bad thing, is another matter: the point is that those who voted made a difference.

Your indifference, to me, is a lack of fortitude, and of moral courage.

Why do I feel it is acceptable not to vote?
Because every politician is simply after a better paid position, they don't give a monkey's about the actual contintuency.

Ask yourself this, when the average turnout for voting is around 45% doesn't that mean that 55% have not voted which obviously indicates that the majority of the population agrees with me that none of the parties deserve my vote because none of them give a **** about me.
<<rant over>>

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

If there are no voters then you do not have a democracy. Is living in a free democratic country important to you?

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Its not a free democratic country if your forced to vote.

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Originally Posted by davebat

Its not a free democratic country if your forced to vote.

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excellent point.
Which must mean that to be in a free democratic country enables voters the right NOT to vote?

You're quite right.

If you feel this way which, of course, you are entitled to, then so be it.

You can have the freedom - millions can't - the same millions wouldn't squander their vote in the abject comfort you have.

Enjoy the democracy. Enjoy the freedom.

I'll be the one exercising that freedom. You'll be the one complaining.

In my eyes you have nothing to add to any political debate about anything because you are unable (for whatever reason) to exercise your democratic rights

I believe it is the whole countries loss that it appears that you will not vote.

Which is a shame.

"it's cool to be so bored" :rolleyes:

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Originally Posted by yrwyddfa

I'll be the one exercising that freedom. You'll be the one complaining.

In my eyes you have nothing to add to any political debate about anything because you are unable (for whatever reason) to exercise your democratic rights

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:lol:
This is really getting on your nerves isn't it?

Perhaps you'd like to preach to the other 55% who don't vote? :D

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

:lol:
This is really getting on your nerves isn't it?

Perhaps you'd like to preach to the other 55% who don't vote? :D

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(i) Yes it is
(ii) They wouldn't listen to me like you won't

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Originally Posted by Valleysboy1978

excellent point.
Which must mean that to be in a free democratic country enables voters the right NOT to vote?

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Yes thats what what I have been saying, I personally agree with yrwyddfa that everyone should vote, but disagree with him that everyone must.

The one thing I hate however is when people say they are not voting because their party will "never get in"

what constituency is everyone in, out of curiosity

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/uk_politi...es/default.stm

im Altrincham & Sale West

Caerphilly.
Pretty much a dead cert for Labour.

I would imagine Altrincham & Sale West is a bit of a vital seat for Conservatives/Labour. Talk about a battleground.

sounds like you have to pronounce it caerphilly

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Originally Posted by Wally Pipp

sounds like you have to pronounce it caerphilly

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Funnily enough it is pronounced Caerphilly :ehh:

i think wally meant you have to pronounce it carefully.

bom-bom-tsssssss

Thank you, he's here all week :rolleyes: