to wonder if there is any point in voting in a "safe seat" area?

[Jollyphonics]

Where I live is a safe Conservative seat. I would prefer a Labour government, but when it comes to policies I find I agree a lot with the Greens. So I can't decide who to vote for.

Basically my vote will have no impact on the outcome as it is a super-safe Tory seat, but I have always voted and I believe strongly in the importance of voting, so I will definitely vote.

What I'm wondering is this - does the successful candidate take any notice of the wishes of the constituents, by looking at which candidate came second and taking that into account when voting in parliament? If lots of people voted Green, might the Tory MP think "ooh my constituents obviously value Green issues so I'll lean slightly in that direction" or do they think "woohoo the power is mine and they all love what I'm doing already"?

Any thoughts?

[LurkingHusband]

Individually, not much point - although at least you have a more moral right to claim you "didn't vote for this" (because by definition, someone who doesn't vote at all is going to be happy with whatever happens. Or at least that's what the winner will say).

However, nationally, the figures will be looked at very carefully. Especially by the main 3 (English) parties. After all, if they see a swing towards the Greens, or UKIP, they'll try to tailor their policies.

This is why UKIP so scare them all. Because as well as a swing, the polling seems to suggest a lot of people who haven't voted before (and therefore aren't "swinging") say they intend to vote UKIP. Which muddies the maths.

[Mitzi50]

No ideas - but I'm in a very similar situation so my vote will only count as a protest

[PotteringAlong]

Yes, because if the majority of the incumbent is slashed they might spend more time / money contesting it next time and if we have another election before Christmas it could make a difference.

Also, if everyone who says "my vote doesn't matter so I won't bother" actually votes the results would be radically different!

[TendonQueen]

Also in a safe seat. I don't think that the winner takes any notice of the rest of the vote, no. They are just concerned with doing their party's stuff. But I still believe in the importance of voting as it will add to the national tally of support for a party, and in the current situation the overall vote percentages may be more important than usual if there is the expected issue of 'legitimacy' for a coalition.

[thehumanjam]

I'm in the same situation and I usually vote for the reasons that Lurkinghusband has given. I'm becoming increasingly disillusioned with our whole system and today I'm pondering not voting at all. If there is a record low turnout will that not give them a message too?

[Nanny0gg]

I never understand these posts.

It might be a safe seat - or not, some have been overturned in the past- but your opinion should be registered.

I'm coming down on the side of compulsory voting I think. Everyone who can, should.

[OnTheRoadToLTB]

Assuming you're under pension age YES THERE IS A POINT. Currently pensioners get the best deal because they vote more. Time to readdress the balance. VOTE.

[Noodledoodledoo]

If you are going to choose to not vote I always take the stand point of still going to vote but spoiling my paper. This to me is the same as a 'none of the above' box

I have done this in council elections - and when I was 'exit polled' told them the reason I had done so was because I had had no infomation about any parties as I didn't buy the local paper, there was no information in the freebies and I had had no leaflets at all.

I have unfortunately always lived in safe seats for a party I do not support so sometimes feel my vote doesn't count but also believe the 'no right to moan if you don't vote' point of view.

I am possibly considering voting against my long held beliefs in a tactical way this time as I am worried about UKIP, and want to ensure they don't increase the majority but that could be because I have a very vocal friend locally so am concerned it might be a widely held view (skewed view I know!)

I will probably vote as I have always done though.

[Butteredparsnips]

I am in a similar position. I am trying to decide between making the strongest protest vote or the the one most likely to reduce the majority. Neither are great options to be honest.

[LotusLight]

Yes, the more people who vote Tory the better. Also women died so you can vote so don't not use it.

[NickAngel]

Yes, use your vote. Even if its to write ' none of the above' on paper.

[CaptainAnkles]

Exactly the same here - safe Tory seat and wavering between Green and Labour. I will vote anyway though, it's just I don't know which way I'll end up voting and it won't really count for anything

[littlejessie]

All of you in safe seats MUST vote - the argument for proportional representation vanishes if you don't!

[ouryve]

One advantage of living in a safe seat is that you can vote with your conscience, each and every time, without worrying that by not tactically voting, you will let in someone you really hate. eg, in a lib dem/tory marginal, I would feel obliged to vote lib dem because I don' want to feel complicit in letting the tories in. Living in a safe seat, I don't have that dilemma.

[merrymouse]

Yes you should vote - you reduce the majority of the successful MP and show that you care - even if you spoil your paper.

[2rebecca]

For small parties like the Greens the £500 needed for their deposits in FPP elections is a lot of money. They only get the money back if they get over 5% of the votes. That is an important reason to vote for the smaller parties. Also in many areas the people who don't vote outnumber the people voting for the "safe" seat so if they all voted for who they wanted the safe seat wouldn't be safe at all.
Vote for who you actually want to win the seat.

[CommanderShepard]

As others said, the candidates take note of their counts and reducing a majority will make a previously safe-seat MP sit up and take notice.

It's always worth voting. Enough 'there's not point voting' people who eventually go out and vote can significantly change the results.

[ReallyTired]

This election is one of the hardest to predict in years. If enough people vote labour/ green/ lib dem or UKIP/monster raving .. Loonie? Then change will happen.

I am hoping that UKIP goes the same way as the natural law party.

[LetThereBeCupcakes]

Safe Tory seat here, but with Lib Dems catching them fast. I'm torn between voting Labour or Green (can't decide which I prefer!) or Lib Dem to keep the tories out. Argh!

I shall probably still be wavering whilst I'm in my booth with my stubby little pencil.

[CaptainAnkles]

Bizarre mental image of Farage bouncing around cross-legged on a mattress. That's the last thing I needed

[PooSweats84]

I was looking at The Guardians 'tactical vote' article today, and it was saying for Labour to stand a chance of winning the general, locally I should vote Lib Dem. Currently they're in shared power here and have made a right mess of the town so I'm at a loss as to what to do also!

[thehumanjam]

I think the problem is I don't actually want to vote for any of them. Usually I vote for the party that best represents my views. This time round my doubts are just too big to vote for any of the parties so I'll probably spoil my paper but is that really any better than staying at home?

[itsallgonetitsup91]

on voteswap.org/ you can pledge to swap your votes for Green/Labour ie If you were going to vote Labour but you live in a Labour stronghold you swap your vote to Green with someone who was going to vote Green in a Torie stronghold and they vote Labour for you. Think I've explained that terribly. Not much cop if you aren't stuck between Green and Labour, or your not in England.

[Jollyphonics]

Thanks everyone.

To those who gave me the "you must vote, it's wrong not to etc" thing - please note I said I was definitely going to vote, I always have done and I always will. I would never ever not exercise my democratic right. I take the kids with me every time too, and talk to them about democracy and how lucky we are to actually have any influence at all.

I think I'll make my final decision when the ballot paper is in front of me!

[DayLillie]

Also live in a safe tory seat. The incumbent does not even take notice of the tory voters - more interested in furthering a party career.

I have tried 'tactical voting' in order to increase the opposition's vote, but always get it wrong, and I now go with the voting with conscience. If it is part of a national trend, it will be noticed.

For the local council, I vote for the person who has done the most good in the local area and is a real gem. I have been to many council meetings and seen him in action. I don't like his party, but he is worth having.