to get extremely frustrated with people who 'can't be arsed' voting?

[Nancery]

I have unfortunately had, or heard, this conversation a few times of late, most notably with my sister. She works as Bank staff in the NHS (nurse), rents (pays extortionate rent, incapable it seems of saving for a deposit), and is usually the sole earner in her family (fuckwit husband is a plumber 'who can't find work) and has two kids, both under five. She and fuckwit husband appear to actually find it funny they 'cant be arsed' and 'have better things to do' and can't see how voting for anyone, or reading up on things, would be a good idea in their circumstances.
I have since heard a few, colleagues rather than friends, saying similar.
I'm no politics buff but even I can see the importance! Grrr

Why is the MN answer to this: 'Make voting compulsory. Won't someone think of Emily Davidson?'

If I was forced to attend a polling station on pain of a sanction - a fine, rotten tomatoes, death? - I would put my X anywhere except the sanctimonious 'none of the above' option out of sheer bloodymindedness and see what happened.

Some people might find that objectionable. But what do they think of the people who would choose a box, any box, and probably the first one? And what would they do to them?

Do you want your election decided in that way?

In that case I might change my name to Aaaaaaaaaabeloved (Abigail) and stand as a Member of the Conswervative Party.

Any vote is better than none, even if your party has no chance of being elected this time, or you don't feel your particular parliamentary rep is doing 'a good job'. How will change happen if we choose to sit by and let 'the other side' win? It's about the bigger picture; if you don't vote, you can't really complain when things remain the same or go awry, in your eyes.

If you really want to make a real difference in addition to casting a vote in a democratic election, then campaign, lobby, get active in your local community, be the voice you want to hear, get people on-board and be the change you want to see. Engage with your local councillors and MPs and make yourself heard all year round, not just once every four years.

Any vote is better than none

Not if it's Ahitler (Mr) National Socialists, and it's the first on the list and None Of The Above is at the end.

It is because I don't believe we really do have any power to make change in the current system that I am considering not voting. I think they patronise us and deceive at every turn and not being arsed doesn't even come into it It is not very hard to walk 20 yds to the church hall!

I would rather spoil a vote than not vote. I did that for the police commissioners election. My individual statement of protest about the election process may not have counted for much, however it was acknowledged that there was an unusually high spoils rate which indicated dissatisfaction rather than apathy.

I don't think my vote has ever "counted" as in I have never voted for the person with the majority in my constituency, but if I regard my difference of opinion as a waste of time against the majority, how can I ever have my point of view represented?

My beliefs don't neatly fit with one party, but I can vote for the one that most impacts on my life in its policy areas (career affected by policy). I don't like the current system, so I can vote for a party supporting reform.

If we all vote to represent our interests and visions for our country, it will create a case for change away from our red/ blue cycle that so many are dissatisfied with.

I no longer believe of have faith in party politics and am not prepared to use my vote to choose the lesser of 2 evils who don't have to adhere to their promises in any way once they have their feet in the door. I have voted many many times so this is not apathy Quite the reverse

I said in earlier post that people died so you could vote. I wasn't thinking suffragette I was thinking more Peterloo Massacre. Google it if you didnâ??t cover it at school.

I did the Peterloo Massacre at school sparky. But thanks for the recap.

And those who cba- how did you vote in the national referendum five ish years ago on changing our whole system of voting?. If you cba now because you think your vote doesnâ??t count, did you vote then? You had a chance then to change things.
If you don't get the exact bespoke candidates and policies you like or you don't get a candidate's policies you can live with, get active on whatever single issue bugs you and I'll listen to you.

I remember that in the spring of 1970 (before the general election) there were County Council elections where one town recorded a turnout of 8.9%.

And Robin Day remarked, as sniffily as only Robin Day could I hope tbhey get a motorway across their marketplace.

I don't understand your post about a big A or Fleur de lis, limited, but I agree with the posters who say that there are other ways to get involved and try to influence How Things Are Done than just putting a mark on a piece of paper every few years

And I think not being arsed is the weakest excuse - IME elections are the best organised bit of bureaucracy we have: I have rarely had to walk more than 5 mins to the polling station; never had to queue; in and out in 5 mins ; long opening hours; doesn't matter if you forget your polling card.... It really isn't difficult or onerous

sparky to be fair I am not looking for your approval

itsveryyou Wed 08-Apr-15 14:52:21
Any vote is better than none, even if your party has no chance of being elected this time, or you don't feel your particular parliamentary rep is doing 'a good job'. How will change happen if we choose to sit by and let 'the other side' win? It's about the bigger picture; if you don't vote, you can't really complain when things remain the same or go awry, in your eyes.

If you really want to make a real difference in addition to casting a vote in a democratic election, then campaign, lobby, get active in your local community, be the voice you want to hear, get people on-board and be the change you want to see. Engage with your local councillors and MPs and make yourself heard all year round, not just once every four years.

This.

Its all very well moaning that the parties are out of touch and don't represent you. Thing is, even if you don't vote for someone they still represent your interests in parliament. They can't do that if they don't know what your interests are; I don't believe you can't expect them to actively go out and seek that opinion on every issue - primarily because its humanly impossible. Its up to members of the public to bring that issue to the attention to the MP and how important it is to them. If they have no one moaning about x, y or z in writing then even if its an issue that the media cover, then they don't really have much of an idea of how strongly the public feel - they only have an idea based on what the gatekeepers of the media think is important (which might be a distortion of the truth). If they take information from an unfiltered source they run the risk of thinking certain issues are more important than they really are to the public.

The whole thing is similar to one complain = 100 voices in retail.

UKIP as a party who don't have many candidates actually in seats are an interesting point here; are they reflecting public feeling OR do they know how to use the media to misrepresent that public feeling and to control the agenda to suit their purposes. They are much more of a lobbying group at present because they lack actual power.

Also just because an MP is for 'the other side' doesn't mean they won't listen. I have a friend who didn't vote for her local MP, but when she had a problem and needed the MP's help, he went out of his way to help, because she brought the problem to him and asked for help. She would never have voted for him because of his party but probably will now because of the effort and hard work that he put into supporting her. Her case is representative of all the 'little jobs' that don't get publicised but are still very important outside of national politics.

Not RTFT but YANBU. I know a few people like this and I take the view that if they CBA to vote then I CBA to listen to them complain about any issues that piss them off.

You dont get to moan if you dont vote, you had your chance to change things and you didnt use it, so STFU moaning!

You don't get to moan if you don't vote I am nearly 50 and don't think my voting over the years has changed anything as i believe the establishment is corrupt and rotten to the core and isn't going to change anytime soon

For anybody who hasn't seen it, to "If you don't vote you can't complain."

Exactement

noddyholder Wed 08-Apr-15 15:34:16
You don't get to moan if you don't vote grin I am nearly 50 and don't think my voting over the years has changed anything as i believe the establishment is corrupt and rotten to the core and isn't going to change anytime soon

Yes because you are sat on your arse DOING nothing but moaning rather than taking positive action to try and enable change.

I bet that's what all the bleeding suffragettes did.

I'm not asking you to reflect on who did what so you could have your vote.

I'm asking you to think about how other people who felt disenfranchised acted to change things rather than just expecting everyone else to take on that responsibility and do it for them whilst they simply sat around sipping tea with their friends moaning about how unfair and unrepresented they were.

Of course it won't change if everyone can't be arsed.

I have been involved in politics at local level and taken part in many marches etc on things I believe in I have also voted every election until now. I most certainly have not sat on my arse and anyone who knows me would laugh at the suggestion but I have seen at close hand the egomaniacs involved and the lies etc and I don't think the system is fit for purpose. Best you get your facts straight before doing a character asassination on someone you know zilch about.

I love it when people whose political views are opposed to mine can't be bothered to vote!

My colleague at work is proud that she has never voted. In her view "they are all the same" they being every single candidate/party. I told her I thought that view was ignorant and she got very offended.
Oh well.

I believe it is every eligible voters right to vote or not vote and it is a choice. But I also believe that being proud of ignoring that right to vote is foolish.

I haven't got anyone to vote for. It's Tory, UKIP, or right wind independent where I live. Labout haven't even got a candidate. I shall spoil my paper.

I think it is foolish not to be informed but what you do with that once you are is your choice no matter what anyone else thinks.

Have you thought about standing yourself, Noddy? One of our neighbours felt just as you do and he's standing as an independent this time.

God no!