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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.
Well, the ballot box is the only tool we have - not voting changes nothing.
I know *my* vote Is sort of wasted because they could line up a donkey in a blue rosette, and it would still win, but that might change one day, and the only way it can change is via the ballot box.
Lin
You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset.
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I think that this assumes people who don't vote do not take political action in another form, though.
Supporting and financing pressure groups and NGOs allows an individual to tailor their political experience to fit their personal beliefs. I personally find it much more engaging than nipping down a school and ticking a box. I can be assured that the organisation I support wants what I want, and that they'll campaign and lobby regardless of who occupies Number 10.
Sorry, although campaigns can be great, the only way things really change is via the ballot box.
Governments nod and smile at pressure groups, but the only times they actually listen is when they want the votes.
No political party reflects my total view, but some are better than others.
Lin You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset.0 -
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.
Whilst I do vote, mainly to keep family peace, this is how I feel too.
I strategically vote for the party that I would prefer to see in power, so dislike the local element (they should be separated IMO.)
I also maintain the view that the general public does not have sufficient information to make an informed choice. At best, we have limited marketing data and then historical evidence as to how closely the party acted on their manifesto. There's also the human element: I would actually like to vote for the party and the person separately. So I might have voted Clegg and Conservative, or Cameron and Labour, for example. As I age, I think that's not as ridiculous as it sounds!
Yet I also trust none of them. 0 -
Sorry, although campaigns can be great, the only way things really change is via the ballot box.
Governments nod and smile at pressure groups, but the only times they actually listen is when they want the votes.
No political party reflects my total view, but some are better than others.
Lin
But there's no general election that has taken place during my lifetime where my vote has or would have changed anything.
Sure, political parties implement change to win votes but they only know what changes people want when people stand up and tell them. Ticking a box on the form because it is the least-worst option doesn't actually tell anyone anything. At worst, it would lead them to believe I actually support all their views, and that's not a good thing.0 -
Lunar_Eclipse wrote: »Whilst I do vote, mainly to keep family peace, this is how I feel too.
I strategically vote for the party that I would prefer to see in power, so dislike the local element (they should be separated IMO.)
I also maintain the view that the general public does not have sufficient information to make an informed choice. At best, we have limited marketing data and then historical evidence as to how closely the party acted on their manifesto. There's also the human element: I would actually like to vote for the party and the person separately. So I might have voted Clegg and Conservative, or Cameron and Labour, for example. As I age, I think that's not as ridiculous as it sounds! Yet I also trust none of them.
It is difficult, because there is such a dearth of talent, at the moment.
I am starting from the point that this government have been the most incompetent (but spiteful, with an overweening sense of entitlement) ever, and from that it's just a case of trying to work out, from the rest, who might be the least damaging.
Lin You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset.0 -
But there's no general election that has taken place during my lifetime where my vote has or would have changed anything.
Sure, political parties implement change to win votes but they only know what changes people want when people stand up and tell them. Ticking a box on the form because it is the least-worst option doesn't actually tell anyone anything. At worst, it would lead them to believe I actually support all their views, and that's not a good thing.
No one has ever changed a government through campaigns and pressure groups.
Might be good if you could, but it just doesn't happen.
Lin You can tell a lot about a woman by her hands..........for instance, if they are placed around your throat, she's probably slightly upset.0 -
I think it should be a legal requirement to vote, or destroy your voting paper.
You can't go to cubs if you don't pay your subs. If you don't vote then you shouldn't be entitled to healthcare, education etc.Never again will the wolf get so close to my door :eek:0 -
But there's no general election that has taken place during my lifetime where my vote has or would have changed anything.
Sure, political parties implement change to win votes but they only know what changes people want when people stand up and tell them. Ticking a box on the form because it is the least-worst option doesn't actually tell anyone anything. At worst, it would lead them to believe I actually support all their views, and that's not a good thing.
Would you rather not have a government? As that is what you are voting for. You can say yes if you want to, I'm just wondering how that would work out.Never again will the wolf get so close to my door :eek:0 -
No one has ever changed a government through campaigns and pressure groups.
Might be good if you could, but it just doesn't happen.
Lin
It isn't about to changing the government because all governments are much of a muchness. They do some things right, they do a lot of things wrong and they annoy a hell of a lot of people one way or the other until they inevitably get voted out and someone else has a go.
But campaigns and pressure groups do and have a long history of shaping government policy. There are NGOs classed as "insiders" in the government that have an incredible influence on government policy, and do regardless of whether a Conservative politician or a Labour politician sits at Number 10.0 -
I think it should be a legal requirement to vote, or destroy your voting paper.
You can't go to cubs if you don't pay your subs. If you don't vote then you shouldn't be entitled to healthcare, education etc.
I'd go for that if it meant that the government could no longer tax me in any form. I think that'd work out quite nicely. 0
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