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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To ask for help who to vote for?

102 replies

GaryShitpeas · 09/02/2015 16:01

I had no interest in politics before it started affecting me when the last lot of dickheads came into power

And never voted cos it bored me reading about it and I never thought it would affect my life. I realise it's this kind of apathy that is partly to blame for the situation we are in now and I'm really embarrassed.

Anyway I genuinely don't know who to vote for other than I'm not voting for the current lot.

Basically to give an idea of what matters most to me. I'm 35 mum of 3 (working but skint) and live in a rented council house. I care about the poor, the disabled and the elderly being looked after and tbh I have no qualms claiming tax credits in fact we need them and don't want to lose out there. The cost of living is a big worry (Hence the need for tax credits) and I care about housing and it being affordable, and think there should be way more social housing. And also better regulation of the private rental market. I also want some hope of being able to afford to buy my own home before I'm too old to get a mortgage! And want my kids to have the same chance. I also care deeply about the nhs and want it to be looked after (or at least saved?)

So. Any ideas? Or all they all full of bullshit? (I suspect the latter tbh)

OP posts:
TheTroubleWithAngels · 09/02/2015 16:03

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn at poster's request.

ghostyslovesheep · 09/02/2015 16:08

Start here voteforpolicies.org.uk/

TastelesslyDone · 09/02/2015 16:19

Though it pain me somewhat to say it, if you really just want the Tories out next time then vote Labour. I voted Lib Dem last time and was distraught with what happened with tuition fees. But then you look at how the minimum wage has come up, that's generally good.

Okay, okay, I haven't got a clue about politics. I just don't want that smug wazzark Cameron in power for another five years, if they get in with a majority I really think we might as well start campaigning for independence for everywhere North of Beds / Bucks

Davsmum · 09/02/2015 16:29

Use that link ghosty gave you. It will give you an idea whose policies match your preferences. Sounds like you are more for Labour. I agree with your concerns too. I would never vote for this shower we have now. No idea why anyone would.

silveroldie2 · 09/02/2015 16:31

If you want the country's finances fucked up, yet again, vote for Labour. If Labour and loopy Ed aren't left wing enough for you, vote Green. If you want a government run by people who have little or no or experience of political power, vote UKIP.

If you want a government which will continue to deal sensibly with this country's current financial situation, then like me, vote Tory.

EveBoswell · 09/02/2015 16:31

Sorry but I think all women should attend the polling stations even if they spoil their ballot paper. Women went through a great deal to enable us to vote and one died on purpose so please acknowledge what they earned for us and do it. I suppose that the younger you are, the less it means to you and, in the same way, many don't know who Churchill was.

Please vote.

Mousefinkle · 09/02/2015 16:44

Labour. Realistically labour are our only hope of getting the Tories out.

You sound pretty left wing to me so your choices are lib dem, labour or greens. I was a life-long lib dem supporter before the 2010 election. They've lost my vote and respect and I'm not alone with that. Selling their souls to the devil for a sniff of power was the absolute worst thing they ever did. Greens aren't going to muster enough votes to get in, sadly. So as a purely tactical vote, I'm forced into a labour vote in May and I suspect many lefties will do the same.

ConferencePear · 09/02/2015 16:49

I endorse what TastelesslyDone wrote - with knobs on.
Clegg broke my heart with the tuition fee debacle.

I definitely can't vote Tory or UKIP.
I'm very doubtful about Labour.
The Greens have some good policies but want to abolish the monarchy and I don't.
I feel obliged to vote but who for ?

BreakingDad77 · 09/02/2015 16:50

Im struggling as all parties have dealbreakers and some a lot more than others.

honeysucklejasmine · 09/02/2015 16:50

I'm torn too. I was a Tory but as a teacher, it feels a betrayal.

But i just can't bring myself to vote for Ed. I know, I know, policy not personality, but this man will represent us on the world stage! I just can't.

PunkHedgehog · 09/02/2015 16:54

As ghosty says, look at Vote for Policies and also www.politicalcompass.org/test and eng.votematch.eu/

These will tell you which parties match your views.

PunkHedgehog · 09/02/2015 17:01

Conference, I doubt forming a republic is something they'd even get started on in 1 or 2 terms (even if they form a majority government, which is very unlikely at this election). If the things you dislike are a way down the priority/likelihood list and you agree with their overall political stance, a vote for them is a way to help boot the political dialogue away from the increasing drift to the right.

If they hold the balance of power, or even just enough of the poll share and seats to get them more representation in the media, it may make the larger parties give serious consideration to moving in their direction rather than panting after UKIP and the Daily Mail.

FreudiansSlipper · 09/02/2015 17:03

I agree with looking at what parties support the policies you feel stringly about

your views seem more left wing so voting Labour

but we also vote for a leader. I always have voted Labour and I shall vote Labour but I fully understand why people are not connecting with the Labour party they seem to have little direction at the moment and why so many have little or no confidence is Ed and this is needed for a change to come about

it is so important to vote, I feel sad that at this point in time Labour has not got the lead it absolutely should have with so many unhappy with this government and more importantly we need to keep UKIP out you can not keep them out without voting

grovel · 09/02/2015 17:09

You may also want to look to the wider world. ISIL, the Ukraine and potential fallout from the Greek election mean that we need perceptive and decisive leadership. Clegg, Farage, Miliband or Cameron?

Davsmum · 09/02/2015 17:28

silveroldie2 Tories dealing sensibly with the Country's finances? Ha ha ha! How sensible is letting the very rich get richer and the poor getting poorer? We could sort out the economy if the greedy Tax avoiders were made to pay up and the evaders prosecuted and made to pay back what they have stolen from us.
The Tories never have and never will look after the low paid or the sick.

TheFecklessFairy · 09/02/2015 17:38

When you've lived through as many elections as I have, you will start to see a pattern: Cons get in, people get disgruntled so.........Labour get in, people get disgruntled...........Cons get in, people get disgruntled so.........Labour get in.......Ad Infinitum.

TheFecklessFairy · 09/02/2015 17:40

The Tories never have and never will look after the low paid or the sick.

And nor will Labour. Who sold off most of our Gold Reserves to the lowest bidder? That right - Gordon Brown.

Who nearly brought this country to it's knees? That's right - Gordon Brown.

Sallyingforth · 09/02/2015 17:51

Well OP you might consider not just which party you want to get in, but also who you most want NOT to get in. That means you might need to vote strategically.
In my constituency there appears to be a lot of support for UKIP, so I will vote for whichever major party has the best chance of keeping them out.

candyflosssky · 09/02/2015 17:54

I'll be voting conservative as well I think. Not sure - haven't voted before.

Ilovereadingbooks · 09/02/2015 18:21

Same as above, dont know who to vote for! They have all let me down with the expenses scandal, the uni fees, the bankers scandal, no doubt the chilcot report will reveal more incompetance, wars and misery. None of them inspire me to vote but i dont want to just spoil my paper either.

Hamiltoes · 09/02/2015 18:51

all women should attend the polling stations even if they spoil their ballot paper. Women went through a great deal to enable us to vote and one died on purpose

Ridiculous notion. If you can't find anyone to vote for dont spoil. Completely defeats the purpose of what they fought for.

silveroldie2 · 10/02/2015 13:50

Very well said FecklessFairy. We should never forgive or forget Brown for selling off our gold reserves for a pittance. And before him we had another gem of a Labour leader, war criminal Blair.

Original poster
GaryShitpeas · 13/02/2015 10:13

Sorry haven't been back till now. Thanks for the replies, has given me food for thought and will check out those links

Re tactical voting well that just confuses me Grin

OP posts:
NancyRaygun · 13/02/2015 10:16

I very much agree with Ghosty too - when faced with a complete shower like this lot the only option is to vote for policies. Which for me means the Green party. NEVER thought that would happen...

NancyRaygun · 13/02/2015 10:18

No - its important to spoil the voting slip as spoiled votes are counted. It shows a willingness to engage politically but not with the current options - its important to be counted - even if your vote is a spoil.

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