To not get the point of those "Vote [Party Name]" boards outside people's houses

[TheIncredibleBookEatingManchot]

I could understand it if they said something about the party's policies or ideology, but they don't. It's just "Vote Labour" or "Vote Conservative."

Has anyone really ever seen one of those boards and thought, "Well, I was going to vote Green but if number 47 want me to vote Ukip, that's what I'll do."

OK, I can see the point of smaller parties advertising the fact that they actually have a candidate in that ward, but why would the "main" parties need to?

[Kampeki]

I don't understand them either. My dad has put a poster in his window. My mum is a bit !

[FarFromAnyRoad]

I think people treat them as they would a lapel badge. I can't think of anything worse but you do see whole rows of houses with them outside. Makes me wonder what on earth the dinner parties must be like!

[raffle]

It's cos it's the candidates Nan's garden innit?

[Figster]

Me neither I think they are really knobby

[Stickerrocks]

They're designed to make you think that support for the party concerned has reached a critical level, so you're wasting your time voting for anyone else. They also raise awareness of the party, almost creating a subliminal message, encouraging you to act like a sheep & vote for that party.

[DulcetMoans]

Stops door knocking and canvassing!

[Kampeki]

My dad keeps asking me if we'd like one for our house.

I keep saying "no thank you"!

[EggsAreNotFromCows]

It stops irritating door-knockers maybe?
However I wouldn't want the entire road knowing how I am voting. Could use it as a bluff I suppose

[cariadlet]

I can understand why people who have a strong political belief might want to advertise it - a bit like putting up a flag when there is a major sports tournament on, or wearing your team's football shirt or a t-shirt with your favourite band on.

I don't think they ever convert a voter, but they can be useful. I live in a constituency that always elects an MP from a party that I really hate. Local councillors belong to a variety of parties and there are also independents.
There are 3 parties that I would consider voting for. I know who will be elected as my MP, but I'm not sure which candidates have a chance in the local elections. I might consider voting tactically, and the boards would give me a bit of an idea of which parties might stand a chance.

[TheIncredibleBookEatingManchot]

Ah, I see, so it's like putting up a flag during the World Cup and it makes your party look popular for the tactical voters and for the slightly apathetic who won't bother voting if they think their party has no chance.

[DistractedAgain]

I can't help but feel sad though when it is a purple and yellow sign :(

[StarOnTheTree]

Plenty of those where I live Distracted

[corlan]

My neighbour, who has made my life a misery through her lack of consideration, selfishness and general arseholery , has got a 'Vote Conservative' poster in her window.

A coincidence? I think not........

[Ethelswith]

It's like AstroTurf thread titles, though posters/boards long pre-dated the Internet.

It's to make you think that support for a particular candidate/party is strong because it's visible.

Back when I was a student, I lived in halls which were a tower block. Trying to 'win' the window count was an actual party aim for some.

[ATruthUniversallyAcknowledged]

There's a ukip one near me in a house that's for sale. If I was the agent I'd be banging my head against my desk in despair.

[Summerisle1]

My grandmother lived with my dm and me when I was a child. Her sitting room and bedroom were at the front of the house. The sitting room having big bay windows. Upon which my my grandmother took great pleasure in displaying her "Vote Liberal" posters. Mainly to piss off my mother who was forced to put her Conservative poster in the lavatory window. A most appropriate place for it I now realise.

What's the point of these posters? Well as much as anything to play propaganda wars really.

[takemeuptheeiffeltower]

My MIL has one for Labour in her front window.
I despair.

[Patapouf]

The ones round here don't even say 'vote'. Just Comservative

I'm hoping all the sane folk who aren't advertising their party of choice will vote for a different party!

[Patapouf]

Conservative, rather. Just as shit

[MovingOnUpMovingOnOut]

It's for quick and easy nobber identification purposes.

Personally I think they should have them up all the time.

[sleepwouldbenice]

My dd2 asked why there were signs around saying "vote Labrador"

[bearleftmonkeyright]

I live in a tory safe seat constituency and I will be putting a labour poster up.

[TwoAndTwoEqualsChaos]

I assumed it was for name recognition purposes. FWIW, I was asked to have a poster in my window by a Peer of the Realm, bit I laughed and pointed-out I wasn't the only person living there (DH was convinced we would get a brick through the window I put anything in it).

[ShakesBootyFlabWobbles]

I hope the Labrador gets in sleep it may do a better job

[BestIsWest]

I have one for Labour. I want to show my support for out candidate.