To think all those who judge who people vote for should go live under a dictatorship?

[MadisonMont]

We live in a bloody democracy. Why can't people just accept people think differently? Neither of the main two parties are exactly perfect.

Why should people be scared to say - I voted for x?!?

All these "I was shocked to learn my friend was a labour support!"

"All those who voted Tory are selfish!"

Are ridiculous!

[malmi]

Of course people can judge others for whom they vote for. It says a lot about a person, how they think a country should be run. It's just a question of how much difference there is between your own beliefs and the other person's, really.

[WhooooAmI24601]

DH votes differently to me in most things and we're both quite vocal about our beliefs. Neither of us is rude about it; we're just different sorts with very different outlooks, upbringings and choices. I'm often surprised that he continues to vote the way he does. As malmi says, it says a lot about him.

[BeALert]

So basically you want to dictate how other people think?

[NorksAkimbo72]

Sorry, I do and will judge every single person who voted for Donald Trump. I also lived in China. Donald Trump is worse.

[HereBeFuckery]

It's not the judging fuck, I judge all the time it's the vocal, snarling, unnecessary and unprovable claims about moral character that are the problem, whether it's 'Tory cunts' or 'Labour fuckers'.

Vociferous debate and disagreement =/= saying horrible childish things about others.

[Dullboringusername]

Judging people for doing something is not the same as thinking they shouldn't be allowed to do it.

[Believeitornot]

I live in a democracy so feel free to challenge others' views.

[ChazsBrilliantAttitude]

It's fine to challenge someone's views but when the debate descends into name calling then it's not democracy's finest hour.

[camelfinger]

I've noticed that people are vociferous about who they certainly wouldn't vote for but aren't very forthcoming with who they would vote for. My Facebook feed is full of people slagging off the main parties and sharing articles about the evil Tories and the ineptitude of Jeremy Corbyn. I'm glad it's only 8 weeks away.

[alltouchedout]

No . I expect people to judge my voting choices. I judge those of others. Voting is a big deal, I think it would be weird when someone votes to hand significant power to a person or group you genuinely abhor or votes for some thing you think is awful, if you didn't judge them. Not to say that means you get to treat them badly- but you definitely do get to have an opinion on their actions.

[PortiaFinis]

YANBU OP. I hate Brexit, it makes me so sad but so many of my aquaintance were so sneering and rude about those who voted for it - and I'm sure it went the other way too, it's so personal and unpleasant.

Most Tories want a strong NHS and state education system, most Labour supporters do too - they just disagree on how its best managed.

All these accusations of selfishness etc are just ridiculous and unnecessary.

[yikesanotherbooboo]

I absolutely agree, I have never understood 'labour voters are good and conservative voters are bad' . People choose who they vote for for all sorts of reasons which can include selfish fiscal interests but can be philosophical e.g. libertarianism or traditional e.g. Voting with the union or for that matter poor understanding of the issues...

[WhenSheWasBadSheWasHorrid]

People who judge other people for judging baffle me.

Everyone judges other people, get over it.

[TrollMummy]

If there was anyone decent to vote for I'd happily share it with everyone and I wouldn't give a stuff how I was labelled. As it stands the choice is just so depressing and uninspiring I'm not sure how to vote.

[BoneyBackJefferson]

I finds that its how people judge that tell you more about the person judging than those being judged.

But then the bigger the bigot the louder the name calling.

[witsender]

What's wrong with using how someone votes to form an opinion on them? It is a pretty large statement on how you see the world. We all judge, we all use the info in front of us to make decisions...It's part of being a thinking human being. If you are going to make decisions you are ashamed of, or don't want others to know about perhaps those decisions need more thought?

[Moussemoose]

I think you are kind of missing the point. Democracy is about debate, we don't 'accept' we discuss. We don't live in a dictatorship so we can debate. To say we shouldn't debate is to ignore one of the fundamental principles of democracy.

[witsender]

Agreed. Democracy gives you the right to vote. Nothing more.

[PortiaFinis]

But the problem isn't the judgement - such as I think your preferred party's fiscal policy is short-termist and going to reduce economic growth in the future.... that's fine.

The problem is the hatred - such as if you have a different opinion to me you are a fascist or a left wing nut, selfish, racist or a scrounger.

The latter seems fairly commonplace and is pretty unpleasant.

[LineysRun]

Don't be silly.

[annandale]

Kind of agree Portia. I have known lots of great people who vote every which way. TBH it's a bit like interfaith dialogue - people who are religious have much more in common with each other than with non religious people. Everyone who votes is doing something intrinsically positive in my book.

[Moussemoose]

witsender

Agreed. Democracy gives you the right to vote. Nothing more.

Can you not see that this is actually factually wrong in any number of ways?
Democracy enshrines a number of rights. Freedom of Speech being a key right.

[Valentine2]

You badly need a OP.

[Pettywoman]

Considering people on Mumsnet love judging people for stuff like whether your child is drinking a Fruit Shoot on a bus I sure as hell am going to judge people for their politics. Politics actually matters and affects everybody.