Are you going to register to vote?

Former_MSE_Megan

Today is National Voter Registration day and as this "one of the biggest consumer decisions you can make" (quoted straight from Mr Lewis himself) it affects the whole family.

We've got a few links with some info about voting below:

Our poll of the week is Are you going to vote in this year's General Election?

Martin's blog from the last Election: Not registered to vote? It could kill your credit score.

MSE Helen's 60 second guide on changes to the Electoral roll

If you're completely unsure about who you want to vote for Votematch has a few quizzes to see who you align with politically. These haven't been updated for this year's Election, but they give you a good idea about who you might want to consider voting for.

And the most important one, make sure you're Registered to Vote


So are you planning to vote this year? Or if you're abstaining, tell us why below

Tropez

Nothing better for the harmony of a forum than discussing politics. :rotfl:

For the record, normally I wouldn't bother voting. The same party has had their candidate returned in my area since before I was born. However, due to the rise of a certain other party, whose values are grossly in conflict with my own, and whose primary policy would put me out of a job, I might actually vote this year - strategically, of course.

It is probably worth adding though that a lot of my core beliefs aren't particularly well represented by any of the parties who actually have a hope of even gaining a seat, let alone forming a government, and so the entire process has never meant much to me.

fawd1

Of course I'm going to vote. It's one of the single most powerful things we can do in terms of having a say in how our country is run. Why wouldn't I? Also, my personal belief is that if you can't be bothered to vote, you've elected to not have a voice, so don't complain when the government makes a decision you don't like.

NobodysChild

fawd1 wrote: »

Of course I'm going to vote. It's one of the single most powerful things we can do in terms of having a say in how our country is run. Why wouldn't I? Also, my personal belief is that if you can't be bothered to vote, you've elected to not have a voice, so don't complain when the government makes a decision you don't like.

Beat me to it! :T

LandyAndy

fawd1 wrote: »

Of course I'm going to vote. It's one of the single most powerful things we can do in terms of having a say in how our country is run. Why wouldn't I? Also, my personal belief is that if you can't be bothered to vote, you've elected to not have a voice, so don't complain when the government makes a decision you don't like.

And huge parts of the world's population would give anything to have the opportunity to vote in a free and fair election. I always think it would be a terrible insult to them to have that opportunity and discard it.

Morglin

Yes, I always vote, and have since the early 70's, because women suffered to give me the vote, and if you are too lazy to vote, then your opinion on what happens afterwards is irrelevant really.

Everyone should vote.

Lin

his_missus

I always vote.


My dad always told me if you don't vote you can't complain about the outcome...

Tropez

Morglin wrote: »

Yes, I skyways bite because women suffered to give me the vote, and if you are too lazy to vote, then your opinion on what happens afterwards is irrelevant really.

Everyone should vote.

Lin

It isn't always a question of being lazy. Some of us simply find that the parties do not represent us and voting for the lesser of however many evils is still voting for an evil.

Furthermore, since our political system is setup so that not every vote counts because we do in fact vote for a local representative, as opposed to the government itself (and I understand the logic), in areas such as mine where there has been a de facto ruling party for years beyond my own, it becomes a case of 'why'?

Because of where I live, whether I agree with the policies set out by this party or not (and like most, there's a few I do and many I don't), the most I could do is reduce their candidate's majority, whether that party forms a government or not. It's not laziness, on the contrary, great thought goes into the decision.

ineed

his_missus wrote: »

I always vote.


My dad always told me if you don't vote you can't complain about the outcome...

Exactly, my dad drummed it into me how important voting was.

I've always voted since I came of age to vote and this time will be no different.

Fruit_and_Nut_Case

I will be out of the country on 7 May but I have been granted a postal vote. I just have to hope that the paperwork is delivered before I go.

PuzzledDave

Tropez wrote: »

Because of where I live, whether I agree with the policies set out by this party or not (and like most, there's a few I do and many I don't), the most I could do is reduce their candidate's majority, whether that party forms a government or not. It's not laziness, on the contrary, great thought goes into the decision.

I bet your local candidate is very grateful to you and all the other constituency voters agree with your point of view.

Maybe one day one of you might think it's at least worth trying to make change and perhaps stand yourself or support someone else to make a decent opposition. Who knows, maybe if one of you could be bothered to invest a little time you could even bring to light some of the shameful things the local MP has done !