to ask how to vote tactically today

[tisrainingagain]

in order to help keep UKIP out?

Apologies for lack of knowledge. If the European vote is a proportionately representative one (is it?), does this mean that there is no need to vote tactically?

I spoilt my last vote with a none of the above. I was very angry that day and went through the paper with my lines!! This time there is more choice so national health action party or greens will be getting my vote.
Ukip have had so many headlines it's been constant propaganda for them.

If your priority in voting is to keep UKIP out (which is as valid a way to choose as any other) then you need to know how the votes went in your area last time round, and start from there.

Follow this link then go to the link for your region, then look at the 2009 results.

eg Scotland has 6 MEPs. In 2009 we got two each of Labour and SNP, one Conservative and one LibDem. The 'runners up' were Green and then UKIP.

I'm inclined to think that the LibDem vote will shrink, but the others will probably keep their seats. So it comes down to the vote split between LibDem, UKIP and Greens for the 6th seat...

Your area will have its own 'history' and it might be anyone's guess what will happen this time round, but it's worth a go if you want to vote tactically. Otherwise, just pick the party your prefer. It's probably as likely to have the effect you want!

Vote UKIP in Westminister if you really must, but they don't even engage properly in Brussels so even if I agreed with their policies I wouldn't vote for them in Brussels.

I'm utterly stuck: DH forgot to tell me who I should put down for his proxxy vote (out of the country and uncontactable today) in spite of me asking a few times. I'm going to vote for both the parties we debate between (it would practically come down to a coin toss for me anyway) and hope he hasn't had a secret change of heart.

Thanks for your thoughts. Am going to vote Labour for the European elections and Green at my local ones. Apart from wanting to vote Labour anyway, they are part of what could become the largest grouping in the European Parliament (the S & D. Will look for link and post it.

Sunshine Why don't you like my children?

In my constituency the Greens are the most likely challenge to UKIP. Which is good news for me as I was planning to vote Green anyway.

Thx AMumInScotland, I will look up your link.

eng.votematch.eu

If you don't know who to vote for! (asks you questions, then tells you which party most agrees with you, and why - it's very useful)

I think the fear of UKIP is pulling the mainstream parties to the right, so for me any vaguely left vote is useful, as it will help pull parties back to the centre...

It's not just about who gets in, but about how politicians react to votes cast.

I'd love a none of the above vote. Especially if it meant something when it got most of the votes!

www.theguardian.com/news/datablog/2014/may/20/why-labour-more-important-ukip-in-the-european-election

and

www.democraticaudit.com/?p=5481

Great. Done the vote match and it's lib deems or ukip. Mmm think I will stay in bed

I voted for a niche party that will, in all probability never get a MEP in and certainly won't get enough votes to keep any other party out.

However, I like them, I believe in their policies and I hope they recieve enough votes to encourage them to continue campaigning in future elections.

I think the key thing to keep UKIP out is everyone else voting - especially in my area - we could even get rid of Farage. (Thats why I used my vote for a mainstream party and not a protest vote for the Peace Party).

uk.votematch.eu/ - this link to vote match lets you pick your area...

No body and especially not those Labour hypocrites. I decided I would vote for whoever sold me their party on the doorstep and no one has knocked. I live 100yrds from a polling station. No party thought it was worth canvassing on my council estate.

DAWN

"Why don't you like my children" why are you making this personal?

Sunshine is entitled to vote for whomever she likes. Just like you everyone else.

I voted UKIP, along with the majority of people I know. On a local issue they want to change the parking - That swung it for me!

Went to vote this morning and went with my gut.

Noticed on our ballot a box for the 'harmony' party which I had never heard of before, but their tag line was 'zero immigration, no EU'.

The 'normal' parties are being outnumbered by the racists.

Well said notime

I'll be voting conservative. That may not be popular but I think they're doing a good job considering what they inherited.

As Stewart Lee says, in my day if people wanted a protest vote, they'd vote for someone nice but who probably wouldn't get in, like the Green Party, or a funny ridiculous amusing party, like the Monster Raving Loonies, or the Liberal Democrats.

Voting Ukip is like shitting in your hotel bed as a protest against bad service, and then finding you have to sleep in a shitty bed.

I'm going to vote Green, as the voting system actually allows them to have some influence in Europe. I'd have thought anyone with children would do the same, if you want any kind of future for them (not that I have any, but still...)

On a local issue they want to change the parking - That swung it for me!

A council election I presume? Did you ask them about their policies towards eduction and affordable housing?

'I voted for a niche party that will, in all probability never get a MEP in and certainly won't get enough votes to keep any other party out. '

I thought about voting LibDem too.

Apparently the Greens have a good chance of getting in (last time they only missed out by 1% of the vote), so I'm going to vote for them I think.

It's interesting how far the LibDems have fallen since they actually got into government... and it's scary how UKIP seem to be pulling the main parties to the right.

Hester, you beat me to the Stewart Lee quote!