Active discussions

Please or to access all these features

Talk
AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask if you will actually vote?

237 replies

IdontlikePinaColada · 06/06/2024 21:30

Not asking who you're voting for, but are you actually going to make the effort of voting (by going to the polling station on the day or postal vote)?

Am on the app so voting options don't seem to be available.

OP posts:
PandaG · 06/06/2024 23:31

Definitely. I've voted in every local, general, MEP, police commissioner etc that I have been eligible to vote in since I turned 18.
I vividly remember DS being upset he couldn't come to the polling station aged about 7, as I'd been on the way home from the school run and his dad had been on the way to work. He really wanted to see what voting was all about.

tuitui · 06/06/2024 23:27

No, I wont for the first time. Not because I cant be bothered, because I feel that one can save this country, no party can undo the damage they have done. I am not British but have the right to vote and always have done so since arrived in this country. My experience here is that the government has fucked up every opportunity when they could have made a better decision. The living stand has gone down hill. Roads are full of potholes, schools have no money, incredibly hard to see a doctor or get treatment even though we pay so much taxes. Honestly I have lost hope. We will stay until kids are a bit older then leave the uk for good.

ThinWomansBrain · 06/06/2024 23:27

I will go the the effort of going to thr polling station, getting the ballot paper and spoiling it.
I am not apathetic - I want a democratic voting system, and FTTP is far from that.
In a constituency with a 70% + majority, voting tactically would have no impact - and I am a member of the party holding the seat - but my vote, like so many others, is meaningless.

AffIt · 06/06/2024 23:25

Yes. I've voted in every election - national, general, council etc - that I've been eligible for ever since I turned 18 in 1997.

I've spoiled my paper a couple of times, but I've always turned up, apart from the two occasions I knewI was going to be away and registered a postal vote in advance.

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 23:24

AmelieTaylor · 06/06/2024 23:21

@brunettemic what do you think making it a legal obligation would achieve?

IF people are so disinterested (or disenchanted) what is the point in making them vote? You'll only end up with a 'X' in random boxes. How does that help anything?

Show quote history

It certainly wouldn't help to make them see how wrong they're getting it!

AmelieTaylor · 06/06/2024 23:21

brunettemic · 06/06/2024 22:55

Yep, of course. I think it should be a legal obligation. If you don’t vote you effectively forgot your right to complain about the government until the next election.

@brunettemic what do you think making it a legal obligation would achieve?

IF people are so disinterested (or disenchanted) what is the point in making them vote? You'll only end up with a 'X' in random boxes. How does that help anything?

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 23:20

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:17

Seriously anyone in politics with a shred of integrity has been cast aside. Fuck them all.

The whole emotive you are shitting on suffragettes thing is also pathetic.

That's just stupid. There will always be good and bad. And the middle. And we don't have the worst of them ATM. It's a game, they're self serving, but not entirely so. And I'm a leftie!

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:17

Seriously anyone in politics with a shred of integrity has been cast aside. Fuck them all.

The whole emotive you are shitting on suffragettes thing is also pathetic.

SheepAndSword · 06/06/2024 23:16

Yes, I am. But I'm disappointed no-one around me is, I love walking down chattering and the atmosphere is great!

Icepop79 · 06/06/2024 23:16

Absolutely. I’m in a very safe seat for the party I will vote for. My vote is unlikely to make any difference to the candidate winning. But I will still vote.

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 23:15

If we could arrange for taxis for the less abled, I'd be all for that!

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 23:13

brunettemic · 06/06/2024 23:08

Spoil the ballot paper then, it’s still part of the voting process. People have fought and died for the right to vote, we should appreciate that more.

Show quote history

I think legal obligation is getting too much like Russia or Iran or something. I don't agree with that. But it annoys me when people just can't be arsed, and then moan about the government.

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:11

I disagree blossomtoes, apathy is the right word tbh. Yes I will still complain. Loudly

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 23:10

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:04

I'm sorry but why do people think you forfeit any right to complain fgs. If you think the whole system and sorry excuses for politicians should get in the sea, why the hell should you vote for any of them? I'm sure if turn out was exceedingly low, that would also send a strong message

You have to vote, and you do forfeit any reason for complaining if you don't bother. As I said, I can't walk, can't afford taxi etc. But any able bodied person who just can't be arsed can STFU while those people are in office, because you couldn't get off your arse for one day.

Alicewinn · 06/06/2024 23:09

yes

brunettemic · 06/06/2024 23:08

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 22:58

I don't think it should be a legal obligation, I think you should be allowed not to vote as a protest. You will also have to suffer the consequences though. Voting is not to be taken lightly.

Show quote history

Spoil the ballot paper then, it’s still part of the voting process. People have fought and died for the right to vote, we should appreciate that more.

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:08

As for starmer, I haven't paid that much attention, but every time I have seen the fucker criticising the tories, he has been asked if he would change things and said no. What is even the point of him, or Labour? Not exactly an alternative are they?

BIossomtoes · 06/06/2024 23:07

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:04

I'm sorry but why do people think you forfeit any right to complain fgs. If you think the whole system and sorry excuses for politicians should get in the sea, why the hell should you vote for any of them? I'm sure if turn out was exceedingly low, that would also send a strong message

The message it would send is apathy. If you can’t be bothered to vote you absolute have no right to complain about what you’ve allowed other people to choose for you.

Jeannie88 · 06/06/2024 23:07

Of course! So much fighting has gone on to allow many of us to be able to.

Pixiesgirl · 06/06/2024 23:04

I'm sorry but why do people think you forfeit any right to complain fgs. If you think the whole system and sorry excuses for politicians should get in the sea, why the hell should you vote for any of them? I'm sure if turn out was exceedingly low, that would also send a strong message

GETTINGLIKEMYMOTHER · 06/06/2024 23:00

Of course. I always do, always have - even when I was once so despairing of the lot of them, I voted for the Monster Raving Loony candidate. Luckily it won’t be a difficult decision this time, but I’d never not vote.

MinervaMcGonagallsCat · 06/06/2024 23:00

Yes of course

DanielGault · 06/06/2024 22:58

brunettemic · 06/06/2024 22:55

Yep, of course. I think it should be a legal obligation. If you don’t vote you effectively forgot your right to complain about the government until the next election.

I don't think it should be a legal obligation, I think you should be allowed not to vote as a protest. You will also have to suffer the consequences though. Voting is not to be taken lightly.

TempersFuggit · 06/06/2024 22:57

I will, and always have. My long-dead Grandma would haunt me if I didn’t!

HandsDown84 · 06/06/2024 22:57

Didimum · 06/06/2024 22:54

More than partygate.

Show quote history

They can achieve me not throwing something at the TV every time the PM opens their mouth. The parade of morons since 2016 has been unbearable.