What is your vote based on?

[Cyclone 10]

Everyone. Even the people who voted for independents?

 

He could of course stand as an independent, put his money where his mouth is so to speak, and see if he can convince enough like minded people to vote for him.

[ivanava 10]

Everyone. Even the people who voted for independents?

 

He could of course stand as an independent, put his money where his mouth is so to speak, and see if he can convince enough like minded people to vote for him.

 

Voting independent is pointless, they won't have the power to do anything if they win and many once elected affiliate themselves to one of the main parties.

[Anna B 1,414]

I disagree. Voting only serves to validate the crap they continually serve up. You only have to look at the most recent expenses case to see how they hold us in complete and utter contempt.

 

I see what you mean, but not voting is always regarded as apathy by politicians and a green light to try and slip things in under the radar because 'nobody will notice.'

 

Much better to vote for an independent candidate, or failing that, spoil your ballot paper, rather than not vote at all.

[L00b 441]

Personally I vote based on a combination of policies and principles, and looking at both the personal and the affect on the country as a whole.

^ This.

 

I always make an effort to get out and vote though. If you do not vote the powers that bill will not listen, which is why politicians prefer to pander to those groups in society that do vote.

And ^ this.

 

And respect. Respect for the far too numerous people who, until not that long ago, gave their lives so we could enjoy the freedom (and responsibilities) of choice, which democracy and its voting system embody.

 

Voting is a right. Harder-fought for, than just by suffragettes. It should be made a duty, just so people can remember the difference, and the importance of remembering that difference.

[Janus 28]

The YouGov poll of post-debate opinion put UKIP at 68% of the vote while Clegg languished on just 27% and the remainder undecided. I think they may be in with a chance. They may be the party to shake up immigration, and sort out the EU situation.

[Minimo 59]

Everyone that turned out to vote for a party with MP's that fiddled their expenses, is saying, do what you like, rip us off as much as you like and we will still vote for you.

 

Which party doesn't have mps who fiddle their expenses. Don't forget some simply haven't been caught yet.

[tzijlstra 11]

The YouGov poll of post-debate opinion put UKIP at 68% of the vote while Clegg languished on just 27% and the remainder undecided. I think they may be in with a chance. They may be the party to shake up immigration, and sort out the EU situation.

 

That poll was aimed at people who were interested in the debate. Which is not a representation of society as I am sure you will agree.

Edited April 8, 2014 by tzijlstra

[ivanava 10]

Which party doesn't have mps who fiddle their expenses. Don't forget some simply haven't been caught yet.

 

Greens,

UKIP,

Monster Raving Loony Party,

Socialist Labour Party,

Christian Party

Respect Party

BNP

[tzijlstra 11]

Greens,

UKIP,

Monster Raving Loony Party,

Socialist Labour Party,

Christian Party

Respect Party

BNP

 

Apart from the Greens none of those have an MP, so it would have been impossible to fiddle expenses as MPs. Of those only UKIP and Green have MEPs.

 

Oh, on fiddling expenses, haven't we been here before with UKIP?

 

Oops, another one.

 

Oooh, and Tom Wise of course.

 

Want me to carry on?

[Alien52 10]

In the current system the Government is chosen by a small group of people in marginal constituencies.For most people voting is pointless until we have full PR.

[ivanava 10]

Apart from the Greens none of those have an MP, so it would have been impossible to fiddle expenses as MPs. Of those only UKIP and Green have MEPs.

 

Oh, on fiddling expenses, haven't we been here before with UKIP?

 

Oops, another one.

 

Oooh, and Tom Wise of course.

 

Want me to carry on?

 

The first two links don't point to fiddling, but I agree the last one does, so you can strike them of the list, that still leaves a few parties that can be voted for that haven't fiddled expenses.

 

---------- Post added 08-04-2014 at 14:54 ----------

 

In the current system the Government is chosen by a small group of people in marginal constituencies.For most people voting is pointless until we have full PR.

 

I agree.

 

Research has shown that the result of the last election was decided by fewer than 500,000 votes in a handful of constituencies that, by mathematical accident, happened to be marginal. That’s out of nearly 40 million eligible voters. That means that only one in every 80 voters actually mattered in 2010.

Edited April 8, 2014 by ivanava

[tzijlstra 11]

The first two links don't point to fiddling, but I agree the last one does, so you can strike them of the list, that still leaves a few parties that can be voted for that haven't fiddled expenses.

 

Yes, but not enough of them. As Alien52 says - the political system in this country is so stagnant that there is hardly any point to vote on issues like this. Politicians have become too attached to their creature comforts and rights - the only "politicing" that is going on is the justling between MPs within their parties and that is more opaque than milk.