Are you refusing to vote because you don't like your options?

[LoopyLoopsBettyBoops]

Then vote YES to AV. It will make safe seats much less safe, you will have more of a say with your vote. It isn't a prefect system, but it will put an end to the astounding complacency that some politicians have.

Please think about it.

Sue52,

Not sure where you are getting that information. Especially since no one was asked at the polls who was their second choice (or third or fourth), all you are doing is second guessing 30-odd million people into assuming that they would pick Labour. Which is both unrealistic, given their polling on the day, and misleading, to say the least.

One of the reasons I'll definitely be going out later to vote no is because I'm fed up with people in the Yes camp telling me I'm thick or lazy or just too stupid to understand the options. I do understand both AV and FPTP, I don't think either is perfect but prefer FPTP. That doesn't make me a moron, doesn't mean I don't care about democracy just means it's my preference.

lurkedtoolong,

Maybe we have been recieving different campaign literature, but I certainly haven't been led to believe that the "Yes" camp is accusing me of stupidity. QUite the opposite.
In my experience, it is "no" campers who are constantly saying "look how complicated AV is. You'll never understand. Best to go home and hide under a duvet, and let us do the hard work".

I'm fed up with people in the Yes camp telling me I'm thick or lazy or just too stupid to understand the options.

I think they are giving a fantastic boost to the NO vote on here-so many people are fed up with it! (the first rule of persuading someone to your view is not to patronise.

lurked - i think you'll find it's actually the No camp who are saying you're too thick to understand.

that's why they're telling you that FPTP is better, because thy think it's easier to understamd.

so you don't have to learn a new method or use your brain.

Not on the threads I have read nickelbabe-apparently I am too thick to know that I am being lied too.

Liby, you definitely have a good point. Neither side has covered themselves in glory in this campaign. But while the No camp has used the argument that AV is too complicated (I don't agree) I've never actually seen any of the proponents of No accusing people of voting Yes because they are thick. I think both sides have shown why there's a decline in interest in politics - sniping, patronising, ultra defensive and just plain nasty when people disagree with them.

It is the same as anything on MN, someone decides and they decide for everyone. Sometimes I think it would be nice if they realised that everyone was different and just got on with things quietly.

that's why i've tried to avoid the threads on it.

i make my own mind up based on the facts, rather than the propaganda.

why bother voting if you're going to vote for the status quo/
why both voting at all if you're perfectly happy with the way things are and you wouldn't change a thing?

The above is possibly the wankiest thing I have ever read on here and threr's been some competition. A vote is only worthwhile if it's voting for what you think is right?

Right, am off to do mine. And no, don't bother making any assumptions from what I've said above.

I vote Labour and I voted No. How does that wash with the Yes voters?

I voted that way because it's the decision I came to on my own. I may not like some of the people who are campaining for no, but it's not a personality contest. If it was, Beyonce would rule the world.

I've been told that a vote yes will stop the BNP gaining seats. No, debating with them and showing that their policies are full of holes will do that, not trying to find paper thin lines to tell to the electorate.

I won't be preached at by a bunch of celebrities, who's lives are unaffected by whoever is in government, nor by a people I don't know on internet forums.

It shouldn't be about booting the tories out, though, should it? I may not like them being in but they got more votes than Labour so they should be in.

It's like me complaining that I didn't win cos my horse came 4th so saying I don't recognise the first three horses.

I didn't say that, Gwendoline - I said that it's not worth voting if you don't want change.

let's face it, that's what the general vote has been like in this country over the past few years - people not voting at all because they think it won't change anything if they do.

sounds about right TechDad - labour want you to vote no, because they're worried they'll never get in again.

"It's like me complaining that I didn't win cos my horse came 4th so saying I don't recognise the first three horses."
that's not how it works.

Anything that Nick Clegg says is a good idea is clearly wrong, anyway. If he said "I believe in boxer shorts and think you should all wear them", I'd rush out and buy y fronts .

I think the majority of people vote PARTY rather than PERSON

that's what I would hope, Scousy

That's another thing for me. I don't want to vote for other choices, I vote Labour and only Labour. Does my vote go to the candidate or the party? If I vote for 3 labour candidates and only 1 is voted for by others, do Labour get 3 votes from me? Does it only count if I vote Labour, Green, Raving Loony?

1 vote is all i want.

I don't support the Lib Dems or Clegg. Is that ok?

I have known my MPs and even a few councillors;but I would still vote PARTY

I would vote for Mariella Frostrop and Lilly Allen but that is not necessarily
a political option.

I like playing daft jokes. Went into the chemists and said with mock impatience "Can I vote here then?" They humoured me.

if we're going down that route, one of my neighbours (lives on the same road as me) was standing yesterday as a council candidate.

I didn't vote for him.

He's UKIP....