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Original poster

Help - tempted to vote Tory, against my long held values! Convince me otherwise!

135 replies

Flingmoo · 18/03/2015 16:15

Right, excuse my poor understanding of politics, I'm just after some friendly advice.

I'm from a working class family who would rather die than vote Tory. I've done well in life and now have a much better career than my parents ever had, but still I've always been a bit of a Guardian reading lefty who also hated the Tories. I sort of used to be a Lib Dem, but since the big tuition fees betrayal I've been flitting between Greens and Labour.

However I am getting this horrible niggling feeling that perhaps the Tories have done a half decent job... Unemployment down, taxes down, hopefully reducing inheritance tax, "bedroom tax", extended help to buy, all good stuff IMHO.

But theres a lot of stuff I don't agree with:

  • Not impressed at the way the NHS is going
  • Not happy about sale of Royal Mail
  • Corporate tax dodgers not dealt with
  • David Cameron is a slimy twat
Er, thought there was more but can't think of any other points.

Anyway, please convince me to vote for a different party. I'm rather fond of the Greens but isnt it a wasted vote? Miliband seems a bit limp. Lib Dems not to be trusted anymore after Cleggs big fat porky pies last time. UKIP is a massive no no for me and I'd happily punch Farage in the face if I were allowed to... So who do I vote for?

OP posts:
crappyday · 18/03/2015 18:40

Why don't you see if there are any hustings happening in your area, then go along and listen to the candidates?
It might help you to make up your mind.

lightgreenglass · 18/03/2015 17:38

If you believe in the privatisation of the NHS and education, vote Tory.

If you believe in penalising the poor and disabled and giving wealthy people tax breaks, vote Tory.

I for one don't so will not be voting for them.

Unemployment might be down but wages are still low as shown by poor tax revenues and most of those jobs are part time jobs.

Original poster
Flingmoo · 18/03/2015 17:30

Presumably at some point, you hated the Tories because you felt they ran the country for the benefit of the rich, and screwed over the poor/disabled/elderly?

Yes, you've hit the nail on the head there. Agree about the coming out of recession thing too, same way I don't believe you can blame a single party or leader for an entire nation going into recession. Out of curiosity may I ask who will you be voting for BoulevardOfBrokenSleep?

OP posts:
BoulevardOfBrokenSleep · 18/03/2015 16:54

Unemployment down - this is mainly due to the economy coming out from recession, a process that might have happened quicker had it not been for Osborne's cuts. Also, zero-hours contracts... not sure if you are familiar with these but they are an absolute scandal.

Taxes down - you mean the Lib Dem policy, raising the income tax threshold?

Reducing inheritance tax - TBH, of any time in my life the government wants to take my money, after I'm dead is probably the best.

Presumably at some point, you hated the Tories because you felt they ran the country for the benefit of the rich, and screwed over the poor/disabled/elderly? Not sure what has changed, even from your list. The 'triple lock' on pensions is working out well for pensioners, but again that was a Lib Dem policy.

Honeypot1 · 18/03/2015 16:52

Along with NHS consider policing cuts too. But I'm in the same boat as you.

Imagine what they would have done without Clegg to keep Iggle Piggle Cameron restrained?!!!

BackCrackAndNappySack · 18/03/2015 16:25

Why do you need convincing otherwise? I assume you are of reasonable intelligence. If your gut tells you that you should vote a certain way then perhaps you should listen to your gut.

There's nothing more ridiculous than someone who blindly votes exactly the same way in every single election without ever questioning whether it makes sense to them in that election, at that time.

Samcro · 18/03/2015 16:21

vote for them and then just hope you don;t become disabled at some point.

Iggly · 18/03/2015 16:19

Well it depends on whether you give a shit about those who are less fortunate.

Read up on DWP atos assessments.

Do you want an NHS in the next five years?

That's enough not to vote Tory. You can choose to spoil your paper if you don't like any option.

richthegreatcornholio · 18/03/2015 16:17

Do it, they've been doing a great job!

TywysogesGymraeg · 18/03/2015 16:17

Hi for it! You won't regret it and you know it's the right thing to do