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Original poster

Not wanting to vote Tory but best local candidate is Tory

59 replies

MarshmallowPink · 03/07/2024 06:56

I'm not sure what to do! We have a very good local Tory MP - young, advocating for change within the party etc, hard working, quick to respond. Was going to do a tactical Lib Dem vote but the LD candidate is bad. Previously I said I'd rather skin myself than vote Tory so I'm surprised I'm even in this position. On a national scale I do not want a Tory govt; on the local scale he's the best. What would you do?

OP posts:
Overthebow · 03/07/2024 06:58

You should vote for the local mp that you want as they will be the one making decisions about your area.

muddlingthrou · 03/07/2024 06:58

I would not be able to bring myself to vote Tory.

Shinyandnew1 · 03/07/2024 07:00

I could not bring myself to vote in any way towards a Tory government after the last 14 years, that is just voting for more of the same.

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Greentreesandbushes · 03/07/2024 07:00

Same here, ours had petitioned to keep hospital open, raised funds etc and is very active. It feels a shame that they Tory tbh. Nice DC too

Onekidnoclue · 03/07/2024 07:01

id vote Tory.

LakesideInn · 03/07/2024 07:03

I’d vote for the local candidate that you want. You won’t be getting a Tory govt so don’t worry about that!

FinsburyCircus · 03/07/2024 07:03

Good local MP's aren't too common, I'd vote to keep the one you've got!

PercyGherkin · 03/07/2024 07:04

The local council make decisions about your area. The MP is voting, no doubt following Whips instructions, on national issues.

How do you know one is good and one is bad? You can’t have experienced both as your MP?

Original poster
MarshmallowPink · 03/07/2024 07:04

muddlingthrou · 03/07/2024 06:58

I would not be able to bring myself to vote Tory.

Yea this is how I feel. I emailed him to say that and his response was good, annoyingly. I don't know why he's running for the conservatives, I wish he represented a different party

OP posts:
mum2jakie · 03/07/2024 07:04

Vote for the better candidate. Individuals can always switch parties as we've seen previously! Why vote for someone that isn't going to deliver for your local area?

Overthebow · 03/07/2024 07:05

muddlingthrou · 03/07/2024 06:58

I would not be able to bring myself to vote Tory.

So you’d vote for a bad candidate for your area, which would could make services worse for everyone?

ButterCrackers · 03/07/2024 07:05

Vote for what they stand for not their personality or work ethic.

PercyGherkin · 03/07/2024 07:06

MarshmallowPink · 03/07/2024 07:04

Yea this is how I feel. I emailed him to say that and his response was good, annoyingly. I don't know why he's running for the conservatives, I wish he represented a different party

Show quote history

Well yes, he’s going to have had plenty of practice answering that question whether on email or in person, and it’s also the kind of q that candidates will be briefed on how to answer.

Original poster
MarshmallowPink · 03/07/2024 07:06

PercyGherkin · 03/07/2024 07:04

The local council make decisions about your area. The MP is voting, no doubt following Whips instructions, on national issues.

How do you know one is good and one is bad? You can’t have experienced both as your MP?

I'm basing it on performance at Hustings as well as community accounts of eg responses to emails and canvassing practices. Plus the area has been Lib Dem for a while

OP posts:
EverydayIdo · 03/07/2024 07:07

It would be different if the Tories were going to win, but they are definitely not. I'd vote for the good candidate. I'm voting Labour but I wouldn't if I didn't think my local candidate would do a good job.

RobinEllacotStrike · 03/07/2024 07:08

I am in the same position & will be voting Tory for the first time ever.

It doesn't make any sense.

LadyGreySpillsTheTea · 03/07/2024 07:11

This is one of several big problems with FPTP: it’s being used to determine both the best local representative AND the best party to rule the nation, when very often those don’t align.*
I couldn’t vote Tory because they‘re criminally irresponsible at a national level, however good your local guy is. Are there ANY other candidates you could vote for in good conscience?
*Here in Germany we have two votes in the main election: one for a named constituency candidate and another for a party list. So you can split your vote. But national MPs also don’t need to hold surgeries in the same way and ‘solve’ people’s issues because there’s a whole other lower level of state representation. So national constituency MPs look after the overarching interests of their constituency, but not of individual constituents in the same way as the UK. Sorry for the lecture, as you were…

sandgrown · 03/07/2024 07:12

We had a great local labour MP for over 20 years . He was very involved in local issues . At the last general election people voted for the party and we got a Conservative MP who was never around and ended up getting sacked for dodgy dealings. Sadly the previous MP has now retired . Vote for the MP who will have the most positive impact for you .

Eve · 03/07/2024 07:14

We have a good local Tory MP but in reality it makes not a lot of difference, they still get whipped to vote with the party and so voted again free schools meals & the like.

they may be good but they still follow the party path and can bring about no change individually and have been publicly silent on the wrongs of the current party leadership.

i’m not voting for them this time despite having in the past. Change needs to happen at the top level .

BarHumbugs · 03/07/2024 07:15

Why would anyone who is against what a political party does/stands for run for that political party? You can't help someone do something immoral and claim you are against what they are doing. Sounds like he'll say whatever he thinks people want to hear, my MP is the same. She will assure constituents that she won't vote for some awful Tory policy but she will always follow the party line as her career is more important to her than honesty or integrity. She's a Tory.

TinyYellow · 03/07/2024 07:17

I would vote for the bet local candidate.

TiredArse · 03/07/2024 07:17

Have you looked at his voting record? He may well be saying the right things but I guarantee you he’s still voting in line with Tory policy.

Original poster
MarshmallowPink · 03/07/2024 07:19

TiredArse · 03/07/2024 07:17

Have you looked at his voting record? He may well be saying the right things but I guarantee you he’s still voting in line with Tory policy.

He's brand new

OP posts:
Towerofsong · 03/07/2024 07:19

We have a Labour candidate who has very vague ideals of improving the NHS, creating more housing and about 11 other things. But no experience or actual plan. Her main selling point seems to be that she moved here from another country a few years back and likes the town so wants to help it.

We also have a new Tory candidate who has a clear plan to tackle 6 major things locally, has already met all the main stakeholders, worked hard to learn and understand the area, understands the issues and what is achievable. Has clear leadership qualities and experience and will get things done. Also has a mixed cultural background which I think is a big plus as gives different viewpoints.

It has been a Tory stronghold for about 200 years but is predicted to turn Labour.
However much I am sick of the Tory government I don't think the Labour candidate is anywhere near as good as the Tory one and people voting for the Labour candidate is, in this case, a vote against what would be good for the area.

The previous Tory MP did nothing and sat on his backside being arrogant for 20 years. Twice I wrote to him with concerns / opinions and twice he wrote back ignoring what I said and telling me his opinion.

Good MP's are hard to find so I wouldn't lose one just for the sake of it. There is very little difference between the parties these days anyway and there are no magic solutions under Labour, not while we are still impacted by the cost of Covid, Brexit issues and the war in Ukraine.

mitogoshi · 03/07/2024 07:22

Doesn't matter how good they are themselves if their ideology isn't something you agree with. No way am I voting Tory.

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