Tory voters - Has the current government put you off voting Tory again?

[Unami]

This question isn't aimed at those who have historically voted Labour, obviously.

I'm genuinely interested in whether the current government's policies have disillusioned any Tory voters. I have a relatively wide mix of political perspectives amongst my friends and colleagues, and I'd really like to ask some of the people I know who voted Tory in the last election whether or not the current governments' policies have put them right off the Tory party. I'm thinking especially of voters I know who are younger than me, too young to remember the previous Tory government, and have more or less inherited their affiliation with Conservative politics from their family. I get the feeling that some of these younger voters might think that current policies, like the bedroom tax, the benefit cuts to disabled people, the withdrawing of EMA, are a bit much, quite frankly. However, I don't want to ask them directly as most of the Tory voters I know don't really like to 'talk about politics' or would be defensive/evasive about it. Anyway, I'm sure there's a much wider range of perspectives here!

So, have any current Tory policies - the welfare cuts, the marketisation of the NHS, increased student tuition fees, the bedroom tax - actually surprised you and made you reconsider voting Tory again? Or has their general inability to improve the economy (despite/because of their so called public sector cuts) put you off?

If so, who would you vote for now?

[ssd]

sadly, I don't think you'll get many takers, I feel most Tory voters agree with whats going on, even if they don't publicly say so

[Startail]

I'm utterly fucked off with them, Gove is a dick head, Ofsted have trashed DDs quite good enough school, the bedroom tax is completely unthought out and they don't even look after their own (as a SAHM, CB was the only money in my name). Privatizing disability assessment would always end in tears.

Trouble is I'm old enough to remember the mess labour made before Mrs. T never mind the last lots mess and Tony Blair's lies.

l'm a feminist, to not vote is a betrayal of so many brave women.

My DDs threw the UKIP leaflet in the bin because it was anti gay marriage. They decide their parents were not voting for them Both gay couples I know have lasted way longer than many many marriages.

Hell knows who I should vote for.

[Bowlersarm]

I think you'll be lucky to get any responses on this thread OP. There is a lot of Tory, or Cameron, or Osborne bashing, IMO, on MN, and it will only be the very brave who stick their neck out and admit to still supporting.

If people are really fucked off with them, they may say, but I wouldn't hold my breath if I were you.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

Brave Tory voter here :) Not 100% happy with the way some of the waypolicies have been thought through, sold in or introduced but still agree with the general direction of travel, particularly welfare reform. Thnk that, even if Labour got back in tomorrow, they would reverse practically nothing.

[SilverOldie]

No, they haven't put me off, not that I agree with everything they've done. I will vote for them again at the next election.

[Unami]

Thanks for the responses so far, Tory voters. I'm not here to argue or pick a fight with anyone (on this occasion!), just genuinely interested in what Tory voters make of Tory policies and if this government has put them off the party.

I thought what Startail said was interesting, especially the idea that "they don't even look after their own". I suppose I am a bit puzzled as to why many people support the current government when they don't seem to represent the interests of many (as far as I can see, any) ordinary people. I can't see what they've done for ordinary voters or whose interests they are acting on - apart from a very tiny number of very wealthy people.

Cogito and Silver, it's also interesting that you largely support them even though you don't agree with everything they've done (not that I expect every voter to like everything the party they vote for does). I'm just wondering what policies you feel let down by. I'm also interested in which Tory policies, if any, you think have actually benefitted you? I'm also wondering if some Tory voters are actually simply unconvinced by Labour, rather than actually strongly in favour of Tory policies?

Thanks.

[ExitPursuedByABear]

Dunno really. I used to be a dyed in the wool Tory, inherited from my mother. Things used to be much more black and white (or blue and red).

The main parties have all moved closer to the centre and seem more interested in being elected than for standing up for what they believe in.

I too think it is essential to vote, so I tend to vote Green or Independent now.

[Dolallytats]

I am not sure who I will be voting for next time. I can't help feeling they are all out for themselves no matter what party they are representing. I felt we needed a change from Labour, but this has been just as bad. I agree with the bedroom 'tax' in principle, but it was rolled out too fast and with no consideration as to where the people were supposed to go if they had to move. I agree we have to do something about the high benefits bill, but targeting the (genuinely) sick and disabled is nasty. It seems that next to nothing is being done about the huge companies that pay no tax-disgusting.

It's a shame that there are judgemental posts like the one from SSD up there as this will limit the amount of people who will come forward to answer a genuine question. I voted Tory because Labour were making a hash out of things and it seemed unlikely that any other party were going to realistically win the election, I don't have a heart of stone, no compassion or three heads.

[ssd]

Dol, you felt that my post was judgmental

have you not been here very long?

[Dolallytats]

I've been here a while but still don't understand how people can make such sweeping generalisations.

[JakeBullet]

I did not vote Tory in the last GE and we don't have a Tory Govt therefore I would not be put off voting Tory if I felt they were the best party to lead us.

What we currently have is a Coalition of two parties and to date I am unimpressed with either of them.

[ItsYonliMe]

I am (always was) a Tory voter. I imagine I will be voting UKIP or Greens next time.

Bit topical however we need another M Thatcher to sort the country out - I think we're all fed up of career politicians and for me, personally, the fact that the current government have done nothing to sort out the housing situation - and in fact are making it worse - has been the final straw.

My children and grandchildren will have no hope of ever owning their own home. The government are continuing their ponzi scheme support of the housing industry and going to lend people money to buy second homes BACKED by the government. I could have cried when I heard that.

I know he has a lot of detractors however I think that Nigel Farage speaks as if he's being genuine and I do think he has a fire in his belly (not much of that going about, is there)

[Xenia]

I am put off by their pathetic tiny cuts. I want them to shrink the state from 40% of GDP to 30%.
I want them to introduce much lower taxes and a flat tax which is capped.
In other words they have pretty much continued the middle ground dull politics which donm't work of the centre ground.

I want them to be bolder. Abolish stamp duty, IHT and CGT for a start. Get rid of all tax allowances and have low flat taxes.

Reduce the benefits cap to £10k.

Attract industry to the UK.
Abolish the minimum wage.

Remove the ring fencing of cuts around the old, the NHS and education.

I am not saying I will not vote Tory next time and Farage is one of the most sexist politicians around so not a great choice and I am very pro immigration.

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

You know, OP, if you're a journalist researching a piece it's polite to say so up front....

[finickypinickity]

I have not and would never vote Tory but my parents who are totally blue and always have been since the Thatcher days have shocked me and both said they would never vote Tory again.

The attitude to the disabled and most vulnerable has sickened both of them especially handing over assessment to firms like ATOS with targets.

The day my parents (who are very wealthy) changed their political stance is one i never thought i'd see!

[Madamecastafiore]

I'll vote Tory again next time. I am not impressed with some of their changes but I do think they are moving in the right direction in terms of the benefit cap and the bedroom tax and although think probably could have been handled better I think bringing in any benefit change is going to be logistically difficult and cause up roar.

I would very much like benefits to be increased for the sick and disabled and the long term unemployed to be made to work for their benefit payment.

Unless you are unfit for work you should not be getting money for doing nothing. That should not be a choice. Benefits are a temporary safety net and not a lifestyle choice.

[Quenelle]

Like finicky, my parents are dyed in the wool Tory voters. They don't intend to vote Tory at the next election. They will vote UKIP.

I believe UKIP are now the protest vote of choice for disenchanted Tories.

[finickypinickity]

I was too embarrassed to say my parents have said they will be voting UKIP next time so left that bit off

[lottieandmia]

I'm not a Tory voter but I would say surely the people who make the difference in elections are the swing voters?

[lottieandmia]

oh no, why are people voting for UKIP?

[CogitoErgoSometimes]

UKIP are the Screaming Lord Sutch of 2013 politics. Even Farage says he has no idea who half his candidates are, let alone whether they're any good.

[lottieandmia]

'Thnk that, even if Labour got back in tomorrow, they would reverse practically nothing.'

Yes I agree with this.

[alienbanana]

I used to vote Tory. Never again.


Xenia - fucking glad you're not in charge.

[lottieandmia]

Well, UKIP suddenly seem very noticable where I live - people putting posters up and bloody leaflets through my door! I am assuming this means that people think there is less of a stigma in supporting them. Not as far as I'm concerned...