There's no-one worth voting for.

The real trouble with the Lib Dems is that they got rid of a good leader unnecessarily, for spurious reasons, simply because his face didn't fit any more.

That and the fact that no-one thinks they can win, as John Cleese pointed out so successfully in 1997 :D

Given the number of people that are saying they're sick of the two main parties, I think the Lib Dems could probably do better this time round than they have done for a very long time.

I don't think they've got a hope in hell of becoming the next party in power, and even becoming the opposition seems highly unlikely, but they may well get a fairly high proportion.

It's sad really, because judging from recent conversations most people feel shoe-horned into voting either Labour or Tory - anything else is considered a wasted vote. Doesn't feel like politics in a way - more of a "pick bunch A until they make a few mistakes in a row, then move to bunch B, then repeat" situation. Admittedly, I only barely remember the '97 elections, so maybe my point of view isn't so valid, but that's how it feels to me.

Also, knowing that my constituency has been Tory since 1950 and their vote will only have increased this time round, I might as well stop worrying and stay at home.

The Lib Dems did reasonably in 1997 - a slightly lower share of the vote but more seats. I remember it well because I was standing in the local elections that happened at the same time, and my step-dad was standing for parliament. Our constituency didn't do so well, which is a shame considering we should have been natural Lib Dem territory - but the LD vote in the constituency had been on a steady decline since 1987 (my first election wandering round putting leaflets through doors - I blame my parents).

Of course, all this was before I finally realised that what we farcically call an electoral system doesn't even approach democracy, and all the nice fluffy liberals who claim to want democracy go all ashen-faced when you point out that if we had something that even resembled democracy the BNP would take ~ 10 seats in parliament this year...

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Originally Posted by SiM

Well only the top two are real contenders.
I say its better to have the uselessness that you know than the one you don't.

I'm going to vote Labour. I was going to vote tory, but they have said some damn stupid things in the past year - I think they wouldn't have handled the crisis anywhere as well as Brown and Darling.

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And Labour have not said/done stupid things over the last 13 years ???? Yes the Tories have not helped themselves, but do you really want Labour to dig a bigger sand pit?


I'll be voting Tory even though i'm not a 100% happy with all their policies, the reason being I can't put up with an inept donkey of a government (sorry Labour).

Its because the general populace could identify with Charles Kennedy - I mean, everyone likes a tipple right ?

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Originally Posted by Terbinator

Its because the general populace could identify with Charles Kennedy - I mean, everyone likes a tipple right ?

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A friend of mine cancelled his LD membership and cut up his card over that. He pointed out that in any other employment CK would've had a pretty good case for unfair dismissal. Besides, everyone knows that Lib Dem leaders rely on that kind of "scandal" to become truely popular - look at Paddy Pantsdown... ;)

I've said for many years that there should be a "none of the above" box on voting forms. Spoilt papers don't count neither does voters not turning out, but a big "you're all lying cheating schemers" vote just might do the trick.

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Originally Posted by scaryjim

A friend of mine cancelled his LD membership and cut up his card over that. He pointed out that in any other employment CK would've had a pretty good case for unfair dismissal. Besides, everyone knows that Lib Dem leaders rely on that kind of "scandal" to become truely popular - look at Paddy Pantsdown... ;)

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But c'mon how many more votes would they of got for him if they wouldn't of turfed him out - and i think anyone would be partial to the old cough medicine if it was coming free :D

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Originally Posted by Jiff Lemon

I've said for many years that there should be a "none of the above" box on voting forms. Spoilt papers don't count neither does voters not turning out, but a big "you're all lying cheating schemers" vote just might do the trick.

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As said above by Saracen, having a none of the above box is about as likely a party standing who is truly in touch with the common man, and works for his benefit. I.E it will never happen in any of our lifetimes (I will not say it will never ever happen, too much changes to say that).

That's why i stand by the opinion that spoiling your paper is the best option, granted its not perfect but if it happened in great numbers it would be hard to ignore. I recognise this is the same argument that the Lib Dem supporters have been using for years, people don't vote Lib Dem (or spoil their paper) because they believe there aren't enough people who would do the same to make a difference.

Unfortunately I know that my vote will not make a difference, however knowing that I have spoilt my paper will allow me to walk out of the polling station knowing not only have I done my bit to maintain the democratic process but I can also take comfort in the fact that none of the frankly awful parties got my vote.

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Originally Posted by [DW]Cougho

As said above by Saracen, having a none of the above box is about as likely a party standing who is truly in touch with the common man, and works for his benefit. I.E it will never happen in any of our lifetimes (I will not say it will never ever happen, too much changes to say that).

That's why i stand by the opinion that spoiling your paper is the best option, granted its not perfect but if it happened in great numbers it would be hard to ignore. I recognise this is the same argument that the Lib Dem supporters have been using for years, people don't vote Lib Dem (or spoil their paper) because they believe there aren't enough people who would do the same to make a difference.

Unfortunately I know that my vote will not make a difference, however knowing that I have spoilt my paper will allow me to walk out of the polling station knowing not only have I done my bit to maintain the democratic process but I can also take comfort in the fact that none of the frankly awful parties got my vote.

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I'm getting kinda tired of of rhetoric...............anyone on Facebook (not me I'm afraid) care to take up the challenge.......NONE OF THE ABOVE is what it should be about.........two weeks and counting, but you have a vote here.

A facebook/twitter Vote: NONE OF THE ABOVE group does sound like a damned fine idea..

Especially if it could garner the support of a couple of solid like-minded celebs to raise the profile.. (Messrs Fry, Bailey & Jupitus anyone?)

Hmm.

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There's no-one worth voting for..... but whatever you do, do not vote Labour

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Fixed :)