To not know who to vote for in the General Election?

[Blueskyonthehorizon]

Help me decide MN. I have seen the various political threads going on at the moment, and I need some input. Genuine dilemma not goady thread and please no bunfight.

Brief situation:
I am a professional on an average income with a family to support. No spare money for flash holidays, private health or schooling. Working class background and social housing but no benefits (though have had in the past). I consider my political views to be moderate and socialist but I have no allegiance to any party. I am pro remain and anti austerity.

Here's the real problem: I live in the Home Counties in an area that is historically very Tory indeed, although Ukip have increasing support locally. I don't think my vote will count at all whatever party I vote for (unless ukip). I don't like politics that is "I'm alright Jack, sod you", scapegoating any particular group for the country's problems, or which prioritises the interests of the few over the many. I want good education and career opportunities for people but a safety net if they fall on hard times, or get ill or old. This should be doable in what is a quite affluent country. I want to look forward at what the parties are offering now, not backward at the mistakes they have made in the past.

It seems that this GE is a foregone conclusion. Should I even bother voting or what are the credible options?

[GaelicSiog]

Oh not another one

[NoLotteryWinYet]

How do the lib dems poll in your constituency?

[ClopySow]

I'd be inclined to vote lib dem in your situation. Labour won't have a chance, so lib dem is the only other option.

What % voted for brexit in your area? If it wasn't really high, you might find tory voters who are against brexit voting lib dem.

[ClopySow]

Helpful gaelic

This is a massive deal.

[GaelicSiog]

I know. But have you seen the number of running threads on this? Why not just join one of them?

[ClopySow]

Or just stay away from them if it doesn't interest you?

[GaelicSiog]

Oh, it interests me. I'm on lots of those threads, I just think you're likely to get better advice jumping in than clogging up the topic with more and more threads.

[user1490815324]

I would vote Conservative if I were you. You want a safety net for the vulnerable, so do we but it needs to be paid for, which requires a strong economy that creates the jobs that (a) lift people out of poverty and (b) provide the taxes that will fund our public services.

Some of us Tories are human as well, you know!

[squoosh]

I don't like politics that is "I'm alright Jack, sod you", scapegoating any particular group for the country's problems, or which prioritises the interests of the few over the many.

Then don't vote Tory.

[ClopySow]

I hear what you're saying, but people are entitled to start their own threads if they want to.
Anyway, let's stop derailing the thread. Our wee difference of opinion probably means the op won't come back.

Sorry OP.

[willconcern]

You sound like a Lib Dem voter. How did they do in your area last time?

[ClopySow]

which requires a strong economy that creates the jobs that (a) lift people out of poverty

The tories do everything but lift people out of poverty. What a crock of shit.

[ALittleMop]

How safe is your Tory seat?

[RedandWhiteStripe]

Unfortunately if you want a reasoned debate which doesn't resort to name calling then MN is the last place for that.

[rollonthesummer]

I would vote Conservative if I were you. You want a safety net for the vulnerable, so do we but it needs to be paid for, which requires a strong economy that creates the jobs that (a) lift people out of poverty and (b) provide the taxes that will fund our public services.

Have the conservatives done any of those things so far?!

[squoosh]

Nope.

[paddingtonbear1]

I am unsure who to vote for this time. DH and I both said the other day that we didn't like any of the options!
I don't think Labour have a chance in our area so it would be Tory or Lib Dem. Voted Lib Dem last time.

[user1490815324]

Here are some figures about jobs and unemployment: www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-38661443

[ClopySow]

Do you have any figures on lifting people out of poverty? Or how many people use foodbanks? or how many people are now excluded from these figures?

[BusyBeez99]

Vote conservative

[PeterHouseMD]

Whatever happens, don't end up like this guy!

www.thedailymash.co.uk/politics/politics-headlines/man-cant-understand-why-there-isnt-a-political-party-just-for-him-20170420126296

[robinofsherwood]

I think if my vote wouldnt make a difference to the outcome I'd vote lib dem to record the fact that Im still not happy with brexit.

If ukip had a realistic chance of winning the seat and the only alternative was Tory I'd do a lot of research and potentially vote Tory because a UKIP/Tory coalition would give right wing tories the excuse to do whatever they want.

[NoLotteryWinYet]

I'd strategic vote Tory to keep out UKIP too.

[user1490815324]

Here's a good vid - watch the first minute if you don't have time:

[ClopySow]

m.huffpost.com/uk/entry/uk_58f89312e4b0cb086d7e4de6

The spreadsheet in this article tells you who to vote for if you're not a Tory voter.