Voting in NI

tara747

dot.bargain wrote: »

N.S. Sherlock

Oh my goodness, how witty of you. Any more gems where that came from?

Suplex_Backbreaker

Cotta wrote: »

Hi All,

Is anybody voting in NI and if so is anyone/party standing out?

I've decided for the first time ever that I won't. I personally don't think it will make any difference who gets in and secondly I have went to elected representatives a number of times regarding issues and they have never been resolved.

Interested in your feedback.

I'd urge you to go to the ballot anyway and then spoil your vote.

Not voting is simply taken as a sign of agreement with whatever way the vote goes. If you don't agree with any of the choices on offer, make the effort to turn out and register your protest at not having a viable choice.

If all the people who didn't want to vote because they felt it made no difference, or felt that no-one on the ballot represented them, actually turned out and spoiled their votes en-masse I can assure you that things would change pretty quickly.

Suplex_Backbreaker

NAR wrote: »

Sorry but I disagree. I was under the impression that the majority of the population was against sectarianism, was anti terrorism and wanted an improved society for future generations. The candidates we have for councils and the Assembly are mainly the same useless political parties we have had for years.
So why have there been no new parties formed that would actually deliver on the issues that are important to the majority?

Most people will claim that they are not sectarian etc. etc. but when it comes down to it, will vote along tribal lines. Unscrupulous politicians are happy to stoke up the sectarian heat as it means that they don't actually have to be any good at their job of effectively representing their constituents and can get away with wrapping themselves in a flag.

As sectarian politics get more aggressive and heated, people gravitate towards the extremes, so we end up with SF and the DUP being the two top parties. This is ironic as during most of the troubles when all the crap was actually going down on the streets instead of a local assembly, the more moderate SDLP and UUP were most popular.

One thing that (Unionist in particular) parties might take on board is that entering into 'United-xxxxxx' candidates "to keep the other lot out" just encourages even more polarisation.

qwert_yuiop

Suplex_Backbreaker wrote: »

One thing that (Unionist in particular) parties might take on board is that entering into 'United-xxxxxx' candidates "to keep the other lot out" just encourages even more polarisation.

The "other one" is being kept in again tonight.

jenheiffer

Suplex_Backbreaker wrote: »

Most people will claim that they are not sectarian etc. etc. but when it comes down to it, will vote along tribal lines.

Who can blame them when the Assembly is set up the way it is? To get 'cross-community support' for anything there have to be representatives from each 'side' to participate.

qwert_yuiop

jenheiffer wrote: »

Who can blame them when the Assembly is set up the way it is? To get 'cross-community support' for anything there have to be representatives from each 'side' to participate.

Could this not be solved by requiring an 80% vote to get a majority? This would obviate the need for cross community support?

A.L.D.A

NAR wrote: »

Sorry but I disagree. I was under the impression that the majority of the population was against sectarianism, was anti terrorism and wanted an improved society for future generations. The candidates we have for councils and the Assembly are mainly the same useless political parties we have had for years.
So why have there been no new parties formed that would actually deliver on the issues that are important to the majority?

I have been at various polling stations on several elections and the tribal faithful roll in, in family groups, grand parents, and children in tow. They vote. The elderly are transported in by the party machine to vote. The Party machines get their vote out.

Others are told that they must vote Mr BIG and his party 1,2,3 to keep Mr. UTTERLY TERRIBLE and that party out and people believe them. Yet they don't if they vote as I outlined above. (Always vote for the person you want (1) even if they seem to have little chance as the vote is transferred in FULL to your second preference and so on, and then at the end vote strategically.) If even 20% did this the results could be very different. In PR elections forget considerations like he or she has no chance, it is tripe and lies told to herd people into voting for the large established parties.

People who think there is no point, and that it does not matter stay at home and by doing so get the result that smug, apathy deserves.

Finally there is choice, there are independents, conservatives, greens, socialists, labour etc etc. The problem is no one thinks they have a chance and therefore only the few vote for them. Now imagine you were in such a party how do you think that effects moral. What are you doing to to help create that different climate?

If you want change get out and vote for people who may deliver it.

A.L.D.A

jenheiffer wrote: »

Who can blame them when the Assembly is set up the way it is? To get 'cross-community support' for anything there have to be representatives from each 'side' to participate.

The Assembly is sectarian in its very structure. Others are of lesser importance and that is very wrong.

Also there needs to be an opposition. It could easily be achieved by having only the main parties on each side in forced government together and the rest in opposition. That way some of our outstanding Ministers would come under proper scrutiny.

There does need to be change, but again that will only happen if we vote in people who want change. The current set-up is a little too cosy for many of them.

dot.bargain

tara747 wrote: »

Oh my goodness, how witty of you. Any more gems where that came from?

Gee thanks, afraid not, but I used to know a Tara.. she was a great dog.

RikM

Suplex_Backbreaker wrote: »

I'd urge you to go to the ballot anyway and then spoil your vote.

Not voting is simply taken as a sign of agreement with whatever way the vote goes. If you don't agree with any of the choices on offer, make the effort to turn out and register your protest at not having a viable choice.

If all the people who didn't want to vote because they felt it made no difference, or felt that no-one on the ballot represented them, actually turned out and spoiled their votes en-masse I can assure you that things would change pretty quickly.

And we wouldn't have to do that, if they had proper STV here, with the RON option...