Why I didn’t vote.

[Trippledence]

Me and my wife didn't vote as we still havn't received our voting cards! My mother in law didn't receive hers either and she lives 2 doors down. We are all on the electoral register so go figure!

You dont have to get a polling card to vote if you are on the electoral register. Polling cards are for your 'information' and to speed things up at the stations.

[dangel]

Thank you. An apathetic electorate is the governments friend, nothing changes under the sun whilst the voting public stay in their homes complaining that there's no reason to vote, we're at the end of democracy, I can't change anything so why bother... The chat of a victim.

Amen to that, brother Seriously - the first thing I did was check the OP's age in his profile - i reckoned he'd be a young'un and I was bang on. No offence intended to the OP - and I can see _why_ you feel the way you do but really, it makes no sense in reality. Last night's election wasn't so much about the Government as local issues that affect you and yours. I voted for the candidate that supported the things i'd like to see changed where I live (a train station would be nice) rather than for a mainstream political party. Not voting or spoiling ballots isn't 'sticking it to the man' it's just letting the man carry on doing what he's doing without interference. Having had experience of a country where there wasn't democracy in place I can't help feel some people don't know how lucky we are..

Rant over, again just my POV with no intent to wound anyone's feelings - it's an emotive subject.

[GrahamGarside]

I think there should be a none of the above box on voting forms because I wish to show up to demonstrate that I'm not apathetic to the political system but none of the candidates deserve my vote.

[Bazzlad]

As stated earlier, if you don't like the Candidates that much, run yourself.

It's a pretty bloody thankless task being any sort of Politician.

I vote locally for local candidates if I agree with them, and if not it's Tory ftw. Simple as. Labour can blow goats.

NB - For my actual mature thoughts on Labour see the "Why is this man the President" thread. I'm too tired to reiterate them!

[GrahamGarside]

The problem with running yourself is that unlike the politicians they are unhappy with, your average Jo is happy to admit they wouldn't have what it takes. The people who would have what it takes don't care enough about the system and are quite happy being very successful in other sectors or care too much to take a back seat in the cause and are busy out doing actual good.

[noTHINGface]

Amen to that, brother Seriously - the first thing I did was check the OP's age in his profile - i reckoned he'd be a young'un and I was bang on. No offence intended to the OP - and I can see _why_ you feel the way you do but really, it makes no sense in reality.

Oh, yes sorry to the OP (was it Trippledence?) it was also not my intention to pick on you personally - many (if not most?) young people would share your opinion. I do, however find it such a shame and a waste.. If the younger demographic did vote, they have such numbers and passion that I believe the country would be a far better place to live in. Don't ever waste your chance to do something worthwhile.

[Oobie-]

I agree with you Trippledence, and the others who say nothing would change. I have been told that things that dont effect you now, will do later in life, so I should be interested. Again I too dont know much about politics, but it all seems like a waste of time which doesnt seem to be helping anyone.

[Knoxville]

As stated earlier, if you don't like the Candidates that much, run yourself.

I'm not over 40 and I don't have a degree in political science, kinda rules me out unfortunatly.

[kalniel]

Amen to that, brother Seriously - the first thing I did was check the OP's age in his profile - i reckoned he'd be a young'un and I was bang on. No offence intended to the OP - and I can see _why_ you feel the way you do but really, it makes no sense in reality. Last night's election wasn't so much about the Government as local issues that affect you and yours. I voted for the candidate that supported the things i'd like to see changed where I live (a train station would be nice) rather than for a mainstream political party. Not voting or spoiling ballots isn't 'sticking it to the man' it's just letting the man carry on doing what he's doing without interference. Having had experience of a country where there wasn't democracy in place I can't help feel some people don't know how lucky we are..

Rant over, again just my POV with no intent to wound anyone's feelings - it's an emotive subject.

+1

[Sinizter]

I didnt bother because the way I see it LibDems are the only ones who might do something different, and because they seem to have the best policies for my professional group - but they have a snowballs chance in hell of actually winning.

It will be one of the big parties - both of which are essentially identical who will win. So no point in wasting all that effort.

[Bazzlad]

I'm not over 40 and I don't have a degree in political science, kinda rules me out unfortunatly.

No it doesn't.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Officia...ng_Loony_Party

[pollaxe]

Any party who wants to turn Europe's butter mountain into a ski resort demands respect, I say....

[Splash]

I didnt bother because the way I see it LibDems are the only ones who might do something different, and because they seem to have the best policies for my professional group - but they have a snowballs chance in hell of actually winning.

It will be one of the big parties - both of which are essentially identical who will win. So no point in wasting all that effort.

So if you and everyone else with a similar standpoint were to actually vote do you not think that the Lib Dems would stand a better chance of getting in?

This is not an advert for the Lib Dems, my political views are my own and you will not find me ramming them down people's throats however if you don't vote you effectively lose any right to complain when one of the opposition gets in and, I dunno, starts a massively unjustified war or something. But that rant is for another day.

[Sinizter]

I realise that I have given up MY choice this time.

But that does not mean I cant complain when a government does something utterly stupid which most people are against anyway including people who voted them in. When they make bad policies I will complain. As should you. Whether you voted them in or whether you abstained.

[chicken]

Well my view is, if you didn't vote, then you have no right to voice any opinion about the state of the country.

So under your point of view, because (as stated in the post just above yours) I couldn't vote, I have no right to voice any opinion about the state of the country?

I hate this point of view, everyone who says it also seems to think that it's a kind of "end of arguement" statement. You obviously heard that somewhere and weren't even thinking for yourself when you posted it. My post right above you proves why this statement doesn't always apply. Why the hell should I lose the right to have a voice just because the local councils decided to do their polls at different times to each other?

Secondly, for those who chose not to vote, their choice is in itself a political statement. Figures of 34-39% turnouts were being quoted at the count last night. That's a glaring political statement to me that something is wrong, and going around bandying about that whole "if you didn't vote you don't get a say" nonsense does nothing to help the situation.

[badass]

The Loonies generally field as many candidates as possible in United Kingdom general elections, some (but by no means all) standing under ridiculous names they have adopted via deed poll. Sutch himself stood against all three main party leaders (John Major, Neil Kinnock and Paddy Ashdown) in the 1992 General Election. Parliamentary candidates have to pay their own deposit (which currently stands at £500) and cover all of their expenses.

Anyone that suggests that anyone that doesn't like any canditates stand up for themselves needs to get a grip on reality.