To feel disappointed in my friends?

You make it sound like the comparisons are not like-for-like. They are. You are judging your friends, and that's natural.

But really it all comes down to what friends mean to you. My friends are my world. Yours may not be.

You might be able to bin a few off because of your judgements. I am not in that position, I need all mine. Everyone's situation is different.

The same was the case in 1997.

Then it all unravels and people realise how shit Labour are.

I mean, we live in a democracy. So it is everyone’s right to vote for who they wish (and not be judged for their choice), and it is also their right to decide to abscond because they cannot stand by an informed decision.

However, saying that, for some reason the election this year has almost become cult like. If you weren’t voting Labour, you were an idiot, a ‘stupid tory’, wasting your vote etc etc. It was actual insanity. So for many people, just saying they didn’t vote/ didn’t know/ didn’t care was probably easier.

I would be disappointed in your shoes OP. Even if you all live in a place where it is a forgone conclusion, the smaller the majority, the more effort the MP will put in to local issues. Or perhaps a deposit will be saved, as happened with the person I voted for.

I voted but only because I have a 14-year old daughter to model for.

I don't believe in any of the parties or their ability to make positive change, and my constituency was always going to go to one party. So many votes are meaningless as a result. I voted for the party I see as least toxic, while knowing they had no chance of winning my constituency. So it's largely a performance which makes no real difference to anybody other than my self image to be able to say I voted and thus avoid people's judgement.

If there were proportionate representation, I'd take voting more seriously. Or if I was in an area where the result was less inevitable.

I'm sad to say this - I used to be passionate. But we've been let down too many times.

For him not voting is a sensible choice. If he doesn't know what he's voting for he's right to not vote.

As people have said we have the right to vote. But it's not an obligation.

That's a stronger statement then some "sticking-it-to-the-man" spoiled vote. Questions are often asked about why such a low turnout. Nobody ever questions why people spoiled their ballot. Accidental v deliberate is irrelevant and not examined or monitored by anyone.

Do you know spoilt ballots don't make any kind of statement? They get treated exactly the same as an accidentally spoiled ballot.

As for people abstaining @TheOnlyVoter, if a person is not informed enough to make a decision that they confidentially feel is the correct one and the one that most stands for their beliefs they absolutely should abstain. It would be like sending a child in and asking them to pick and random box they like. If people aren't informed they should abstain.

Now, as to whether or not they should make the effort to inform themselves - that's another question!

But as already mentioned, change of government doesn't necessarily mean change in any meaningful way. It'll be interesting to see...

That's not bad at all, alot of people around the UK didn't vote! I voted yesterday for labour party, not because I believe in them, I think nothing will change, I just despise the Tories so much. Most people I know are very downbeaten with politics... They feel hopeless with all the parties.

He's not an arse, not in the slightest. I said I get emotional when voting, and he just asked me why. I suppose you could say the same about me. Why do I get emotional about voting, after all I've always been able to, my whole life. I do, however, appreciate the sacrifices that went before me to allow me to be able to vote. That's all.

Eh? 🙄

SHE gets emotional.

He doesn't.

100 years ago only women over 30 with property were granted the right to vote.

Your husband sounds like an arse. As if he deliberately highlights the differences with poor little women. Voting rights for both sexes have always existed in your life time so I'm not sure why he gets emotional at his wife voting.

Honest question...

What changes do you expect a new government to implement? How do you think the health system will change? The education system? Taxation?

I think all parties at this stage are just 2 sides of the same coin. Whoever is in power has a budget and have to stick to it. If one thing is significantly improved (if even possible!) another thing will lose out.

With a new government now, how do you see change? What do you think they will change for the better?

Can't be bothered to vote (fat fingers, sorry)

I have noticed that folk who've been moaning about the 'state of everything' lately to me are the very ones who can, be bothered to vote!

Mum used to impress upon me the inportance of voting as women fought so hard to win the vote for us all. Surely reading the Newspaper.social media ,and so on should tell is which way we want to go? My friend was all set to vote then changed their mind!WtF?

Well as far I know it's still a choice to vote. Do you judge them on all their choices?

I just can't personally judge my family.or friends on if they vote, don't vote, who they voted for. It's their choice their opinion on the matter. I'm friends with them for other reasons.

I didn't know that tbh.

Yes it’s disappointing and a bit dismal. However, not that unusual.

I have a male friend who works in a senior, director level, role for a very large company. He’s great to be around, funny, engaging, chatty, very knowledgeable in the subject area he works and in topics like music, cinema, sport, science.

On politics he doesn’t have a clue. Barely knows which party is “left” and “right”, and doesn’t even know what those terms mean. Doesn’t vote, ever. Goes blank when politics is raised.

I feel the same, cannot believe people's apathy towards a GE.

It's not always a choice though. Some people aren't educated about politics. My ex's family never discussed politics, elections or how to even vote with him. Now he doesn't vote because he's apathetic to it all.

I grew up in a very political household - was brought up to spoilt my ballot if I wanted to make a point etc. I'm trying to teach my kids to be the same. They came with me to vote last night because they wanted to see it all. I don't necessarily want them to agree with my POV (11YO already disagrees with me on plenty!). But I want them to actually have an opinion and care about what happens in their own lives and their country.

Have I missed something in the ops comments, she’s expressed a disappointment nothing more nothing less. She hasn’t fallen out with anyone, even discussed it with them, just gone on an anonymous forum to express an opinion 🤨.

Don’t fall out with your friends over this. They have the right, not the obligation. They haven’t hurt anyone.