If you don't want a Conservative government...

[ChrissyT]

If you don't want a Conservative government for the next 5 years:

It all comes down to the Labour- Conservative marginals. These are about a 100 of the 650 constituencies where in the 2005 election it was very close between Labour and the Conservatives.
Conservatives need to win these in order to get a majority (over half the seats). The swing required is small in these seats - which is why the Conservatives and Lord Ashcroft have targeted them.

Any vote for Lib Dems or others in these Lab-Con marginal constituencies makes it more certain Tories will win the seat as it takes votes off Labour (who will come 2nd). Lib Dems have no chance of winning in these seats - they will come third - so wasted vote under the first past the post system.

There are also Lib Dem - Conservative marginals where in 2005 it was very close between Lib Dems and the Conservatives. In this case if you don't want a Tory majority, vote Lib Dem.

So yes, in this election, any vote for Green, BNP or whoever will be, in effect, a vote for the Tories.

To find out if you are in a marginal by inputting your post code here:
www.theobverse.com/stopdave/

Or have a look at this Mirror newspaper guide:
www.mirror.co.uk/news/top-stories/2010/05/04/general-election-tactical-vote-guide-how -you-can-save-britain-from-a-tory-nightmare-115875-22231573/

Try to persuade your family and friends to get out and vote Labour (or Lib Dem in libDem-Con marginals) if like me you are dreading the thought of 5 years of Tory cuts to education and police, Vat rises, cuts to tax credits,tax breaks to the wealthiest and God knows what else they have up their sleeve.

[Tashtodd]

Sorry but you are deluded if you think that sort of medicine is not coming whoever gets in. Look at Greece today as some have said - coming to a high street near us soon.

[BikeRunSki]

I have put in my postcode and it's told me the wrong constituency. Boundaries have changed recently, it would seem that that website has not been updated.

[Monty100]

ChrissyT I was going to start a thread along these lines.

OMG I so don't want to have to grieve that we have a Tory Government on Friday....

I was going to vote Lib Dem but have now realised that I need to give my vote to Labour, otherwise I'd be wasting a vote to keep the Tories out because Lab/Libs voters will be split.

If you are anti Tory, please vote for the stronger opposition which is the LABOUR PARTY!!

In fact, the last para is a good Thread title. Shall I????

[policywonk]

'If you are anti Tory, please vote for the stronger opposition which is the LABOUR PARTY!!' - it's not that simply Monty. Depends on the seat. If you're in a LibDem-Tory marginal and you vote Labour, you could be letting a Tory in.

[Monty100]

PW - yes of course it does .

I've ignored the campaigns but I'm starting to panic now as realisation dawns on me.

[Monty100]

Oh, and PW, thanks for saving me the embarrassment of a very parochial thread title.

[ChrissyT]

In that case Bike if you don't want a Tory government - best vote Labour. Recent polls suggest Lib Dem bubble has burst. They will come third in popular vote. Labour have better policies anyway:
www2.labour.org.uk/vote-labour

[policywonk]

Monty

Bike try this site if you want to vote tactically (ie to keep a Tory out rather than voting with your heart)

[Monty100]

Policy - words to that effect would be a good thread title.

Go on, you know you want to..........

[ChrissyT]

Good video - Don't vote Tory tomorrow:

Other good information on why not to vote Conservative:
www.labour.org.uk/policies/the-conservative-risk

www.leftfootforward.org/

[catinthehat2]

I love the smell of desperation in the evening.

[weegiemum]

If anyone is elected, the moon will turn to green cheese and the rivers will run with Froot Shoots!!

This is how far past caring I am!

Still don't know who to vote for. Its all very depressing. Not Tory, though!

[AnnieLobeseder]

Wouldn't it be wonderful if everyone just voted for who they want to govern. Such a simple idea, but you know, then we might actually get the government we want. I have no time for tactical voting.

[TheCrackFox]

Anyone else think the OP could be Ed Balls?

I can't be arsed with Tactical voting. TBH there will be a lot of people voting tactically to get Labour out of their constituency so I would be careful ab out putting ideas into peoples heads.

[vesela]

What if you're as desperate to get Labour out as you are for the Tories not to get in?

[CwtchyMama]

I think tactical voting is just wrong,surely people should just vote for who they want in not who they dont?

I wish people would stop with these posts & just leave us to make our own minds up.I already know who i am voting for.

[ChrissyT]

Tactical voting isn't wrong. It is just facing reality. The Lib Dems along with the 'others' can't form a majority government, Labour can.

Interesting article from Johann Hari this morning:

'What we'll lose if we reject Labour':

www.independent.co.uk/opinion/commentators/johann-hari/johann-hari-what-well-lose-if-we-reject-labou r-1964247.html

[TheCrackFox]

Well I voted Liberal this morning but good luck with your desperate scramble for votes.

[wubblybubbly]

I don't see why anyone should be criticised for tactical voting. It's the system that's at fault.

If you live in an area where there is no chance of your chosen candiate winning, then your vote is meaningless.

Tactical voting at least gives some power back to the voter to avoid the candiate they want least of all.

[scaryteacher]

Article evidently biased - the comments are far more revealing and interesting!