to vote tactically?

[CallaCate]

I have always voted Liberal Democrat, as their policies align much more closely with my values than any other party.

whoshouldyouvotefor.com confirms that I should vote Lib Dem (Liberal Democrat 41, Green 30, Labour 14, Conservative -10, UK Independence -13)

My current MP is Labour, but apparently this is a swing seat. I am considering voting Labour because...

1. I don't want the tories to get in
   
2. The Labour candidate is a woman, others are men
   
3. The Labour candidate knocked on my door. Nothing to be seen of the tories save their irritating leaflets. Lib Dems apparently can't be bothered with my specific neighbourhood (probably mostly Labour)
   
   So, I know it's my vote and I can do what I want with it. But do you think I am being unreasonable to vote Labour for the reasons listed above? (Can't help thinking maybe this is the wrong time to abandon the Liberals when they are finally getting the attention I feel they deserve...)

[OldLadyKnowsNothing]

There are weeks to go before the election - perhaps the LibDems will turn up on your doorstep before then? I think you'd be mad to vote Labour in the circumstances, but it's up to you.

[rubetube]

No dont do that. This is why the country doesn't get any better (no offence)

[GrimmaTheNome]

In your place I think I'd stick to my principles. However, if in a constituency where BNP or UKIP stood a chance, it would be unreasonable not to vote tactically to scupper them.

[MrsC2010]

Oooh, I just did that test and it came up as Tory...not sure what to think now...

[MrsC2010]

Darn, meant to say that I have been having the same dilemma. I think that I won't be voting tactically this time around as it is so important that a true democratic vote is held....but then if I don't and everyone else does is my vote wasted? Hmmm.

[giveitago]

This time 'round I'm voting tactically as I cannot vote to labour given their performance since sept 11 and also the fact that gb, our pm, spent recklessly. However, who is david cameron? I seem to get him less and less with every interview.

So it's lib dem for me (although still awaiting a candidate blurb through the door).

And my reason for voting this time to ensure that there are no bnp or ukip around in my area (there aren't really anyhow, but still).

I cannot stand the Tories but I've quite a bit to do with Labour in the last 13 years and my prediction one month into government was that they'd achieve the same arrogance as the tories in a much shorter space of time and it is sadly true.

[ActuallyMyNamesMarina]

You should vote for the person who best represents the interests of the generwal populacenin your constituency.

But face it, the majority of politicians are just full of self import and looking for their 15 minutes of fame IMHO, so it won't matter who you vote for, it will be the same old same old as now.

[singsinthebath]

Maybe we could swap votes. I live in an area which is traditionally fought out between the Tories and the LibDems.

I usually vote LibDem to keep the Tories out even though in previous elections I wanted Labour to win overall in the country. (not sure this time tho)

[GrimmaTheNome]

Just wish they'd give us the Single Transferrable Vote.

[WebDude]

Out of interest, was the Labour candidate on a list from Central Office (or whatever it is called), or chosen locally ? Might be worth checking. Also, are you considering her primarily because of gender or that she personally knocked?

I have friends whose son and future DiL came up from London over the Easter weekend and went to knock on doors for the Labour candidate in Liverpool. So not sure what a knock on my door means, there's no guarantee it is someone who knows anything about any local issues, nor whether the prospective candidate would even get to hear about anything I cared about. Maybe if someone knocks I'll ask them about the planned prison and see if they are a local or not! (plan was scrapped, but would be interested to see reaction!)

Someone on radio just a few days ago was saying that she (as an MP, though leaving, I think) would feel that if she had been shortlisted only because the party HQ had forced a list on the local party, it would feel awkward as she had not achieved shortlisting through local selection) and if it was an all woman list, she'd feel even more awkward!

I don't know which parties have adopted women-only lists or have pushed for lists of candidates that aren't necessarily local people. I know in Stoke the chap who had held some office within the local Labour Party is standing as an Independent as there is so much ill-feeling about the way a list was forced onto their area.

[fluffles]

if you're considering voting for a sitting mp then it's pretty easy to look up their voting record and check whether you're happy with the job they're currently doing.

i think we should all do well to remember we're voting for our constituency mp and not for which party we want in government.

[Mooncupflowethover]

If you support LibDems, then you should vote for them.

YABU for voting Labour based on the reasons you have listed.

[Oenopod]

I had planned to vote tactically - I'm on the left and would normally vote Labour. But, where I am the Tories have an unassailable majority. A Labour vote might ensure the party didn't lose its deposit but no more than that.

So I was thinking Lib Dem would be a compromise, might stand a chance of scaring the local Tories if the Lib Dems got a decent number of votes...

Then I thought about it and I can't bear for the remnants of Blair's New Labour to carry on in power. The Tories are even worse.

Vince Cable, the Lib Dem "Chancellor" type person is by far the best politician in the country and he could save the UK from fiscal failure. So my vote is no longer tactical, and the Lib Dems have it wholeheartedly.

I have no moral opposition to tactical voting - with our political system it is inevitable.

[amothersplaceisinthewrong]

Unless you are in a marginal how you vote does not actually matter that much.

I too want Vince for chancellor so hope for a hung parliament....

[Oenopod]

Shall we make Vince the Mumsnet mascot for the election?

[PfftTheMagicDragon]

have you tried vote policies not personalities

[jollydiane]

YANBU - as per other posters if your priority is keep out a certain party then I would vote tatically especially if you are in a marginal.

My exception would be if I was really impressed with the local MP, then I would vote for them even if I did not agree with all of the actual party's policies. For example the late Gwyneth Dunwoody would get my vote even if I don't agree with all of Labour policies IYSWIM.

[j0807bump]

am i the OP?

[Pepsiginn]

I will be voting tactically as who i would like to vote for virtually has no chance in our constituency. YANBU in my eyes - it's a tricky system.
Problem is, if the whole bloody country is going to vote tactically - who knows what we are going to end up with!
I'm worried.

[CallaCate]

Really, ActuallyMyNamesMarina I should vote for "the person who best represents the interests of the generwal populacenin your constituency"? Shouldn't I vote based on my own interests, not those of my neighbours?

WebDude et al - she was chosen to fight the seat through an all-woman shortlist in 2005 and wasn't expected to beat the Tory candidate, but did by just 420 votes, so it is a marginal seat, my vote does matter. Her gender and the fact she personally knocked are both warming her to me as a candidate. I do think she has been a good MP and done some good work locally (such as fighting the opening of lap-dancing clubs) so I suppose my thinking goes: locally she's good, I like her and nationally, well, she's not a Tory. So, she'll do. I don't really mind how she got here now, as she seems to have proved her commitment over the last 4 years.

I wish I could get some data on how people are planning to vote locally, as I'm sure the picture is very different to 2005. I don't want to not vote LibDem if they have a chance, but equally I don't want to not vote Labour if that means the Tories get in!

[ActuallyMyNamesMarina]

Really, CallaCate. You should vote according to the candidate who delivers the best for the area you live in. Wwhich means that due to jerrymandering, I will now end up voting Labour for the first time in my life as i have been moved into a constituency with high unemployment and drug issues that the current LAbour MP seems to be tackling fairly and sensibly, whereas the Tories and Lib Dems haven't got a ruddy clue whcih is apparent from their campaigning.

I deal with MPs and Ministers on a daily basis and am confident that the current MP respects value for money (he was untainted by the expenses scandal) represents all his constituents views well and does not raise issues unecessaruly in the House or waste tax payers money by raising petty issues.

So though I don't agree with all of Labours policies (if they get in i look forward to more wasted money as they pass unenforceable laws) I will vote Labour as the MP is the best man for the job.