To post every day until the next election to remind you to VOTE.

[NorthernLurker]

Seeing as the government appear to have kicked off their campaign I thought now was the time to start nagging talking about voting.

This weekend's talk about pensions shows in a nutshell why we need to vote. The government - any democratic government worldwide - is swayed by the need to please those they think will vote for them. So if you're not getting what you want from this government you need to vote because it is only when everybody like you votes that the wind will change in your governmental favour.

Register to vote, talk to your friends and family about voting, create some momentum and you will see change. The election of 2015 could see the biggest turn out from women under 40 ever. Anything is possible. There's been talk in the past about the 'mumsnet' election - well wouldn't it be great if that was a reality. Not in the sense of posters all voting one way, that's not the point. The point is wouldn't it be great if every user of this board voted? If every user of this board made their voice heard. It can happen.

And I'll be posting every day until it does

I think this also calls for accountability by the local candidates.

On a local level our MP does a good job, but I would be hard pressed to vote for his party.

I like you northern!

It's clear you aren't pushing a particular party agenda so ignore the sceptics. Democracy is important, even for those that think it isn't.

Northern do you have stats on non-registering? I thought most people were on the roll but perhaps just cba to vote on the day.

Argy this is an article from a couple of years ago but shows some stats then. There are plenty of 19-24yr olds on mumsnet - if they see this and register to vote it would be fab! I didn't even know about the changes to the annual canvass. Wonder if that's been modified since? Anyway goes to show that you can not talk about this too much

There is very little difference between those standing and manifestos and promises are made up.

How do you a) decide and b) give a toss.

Well the give a toss bit is easy. If you don't vote, you don't count. It's as simple as that. Everything the government recommends or mandates for you is done to you without any assent or engagement from you whatsoever. It's incredibly passive. If you vote or spoil your paper you demonstrate engagement. not necessarily assent or agreement but at least some degree of activity.

How do you choose - that's up to you - research the policies, go for the person with best local reputation, stick a pin in the list - however you do it you are making a choice and lodging an opinion. Personally I base my vote on broad principles. Just as in my marriage I might not agree with dh all the time but I know we're on the same side - that's how my party loyalty works.

I don't count anyway. Nowt to do with voting. I will not put my name or support immoral actions, or someone who I have no doubt will destroy all I believe it right and fair.

I have in the past researched policies, and pledges and voted on that basis. All turned out to be bollocks.

You DO count. Spoil your ballot paper then. Write on it exactly what you've just put on this thread. It will be heard. The agents for the candidates will see what's on the spoilt papers.

But I agree that a spoiled vote is still a vote.

Who reads them? I've never seen that and I have worked in poll stations a and counting votes.

When the ballot is opened it has to be identified as spoilt and counted as such. In anything like a close count they need to make sure there is agreement each vote has been properly counted - so that a 'spoilt' paper is actually spoilt and shouldn't actually be on some candidates pile.

I have voted in every election I could have since is was 18. I will again this time because I believe in it but feel it is a waste of time because no matter what is in their election manifestos they will do something different.

Interesting people say democracy is important etc. etc. - I don't believe we live in a democracy in the uk now. We are not free, we cannot participate equally, we don't have freedom of speech, we are not represented by our govt, most of our laws are defined by an unelected group of people called the EU, I could carry on but feel I would be ranting so will leave it there... However I feel the whole thing is a farce!

As for my next vote in Scotland - it will be a resounding NO.

I'm voting for starball !!

I'd like to put forward the suggestion that anyone who spoils their vote writes "YABU" on it

OP - good for you.
Everyone needs to vote.

I will be voting Labour.

i'm a politician and i saw all the spoiled votes in my election.

if you think the candidates aren't any good then go find somebody you believe in and persuade them to stand.

Beyond I vociferously complain whenever the idea of a Like button is mooted here but I need one now. YABU spoiled ballots, that's an idea.

Oh Peggy - look at North Korea for a start. We're doing ok in the UK!

Starlight - from an Electoral Commission Media Guide for Elections 'Candidates may appoint ‘counting agents’ to attend the count. Counting agents may observe the process and help to ensure it is carried out in an orderly and accurate manner. For example, counting agents can draw the attention of count staff to doubtful ballot papers or argue for the inclusion of ballot papers that count staff have rejected as spoilt.' Spoilt papers are looked at.

I've never not voted. I know Mrs Pankhurst would come to get me in the next life if I didn't.

And to be serious... I vote for all the women around the world who are still disenfranchised right now.

Beyond I love it! I was just wondering how to 'spoil' a vote!

Maybe we could make our own MN party. Anyone know how one would go about setting up a new political party? I bet we could have someone running in most areas. We'd need a leader though. Northern, do you fancy being PM? Our campaign could have the slogan "YABU to vote for anyone else"!

'Did you mean to be so rude' is perfect for foreign policy.....

YANBU People forget that women have only had the right to vote in the UK for less than a 100 years (and we are supposedly the world's oldest continuous democracy) and yet so many can't be bothered to turn out once every few years to have their say.

You don't even have to leave the house, you can arrange a postal vote.

If you don't do your democratic duty, don't come crying to me when that right is taken away from you by some future Government.

Hitler was democratically elected and then changed the law to give himself absolute power and look where that got the world.

Russia's policies on homosexuality - ODFOD

Does a spoilt paper not just count as nothing?

I always, always vote. I do think it matters and I do think it changes things.

Many people around the world don't have the right to vote, they would love to have the opportunities we have.