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

I will be voting as I always do. In this case, not a party political vote but a vote for the man himself. Because he works and campaigns hard while the opposition 'can't be arsed'.

Why would you not vote? My very strict, straightlaced great grandma was a suffragette. I never knew her but i'm so proud of this. For those who choose not to vote, if someone suggested taking your vote away how would you feel?

hands up guilty
I have NEVER voted, not because I can't be arsed but because I genuinely have no idea! Not a single clue.
I try to follow politics but it is one of those things that baffles me. I have no idea who to vote for, what policy's actually mean for me...it just boggles my minds.

Never- do you have kids? Use nhs? Use public transport? Claim benefits? Care about the environment, your working conditions etc? What bothers you most about any or all of these? What are your priorities? Then have a google and read about your parliamentary candidates amd decide.

YABU, in my opinion. I find those who look down on (or sneer at) those who don't vote to be meddling snobs, most of the time.

I've been actively involved in politics since I went to university, and always look forward to being able to cast my vote, but if others don't care that's their choice. People have a right to be as uninterested, uneducated, disillusioned and 'lazy' as they like.

I wholeheartedly disagree with compulsory voting.

"People have a right to be as uninterested, uneducated, disillusioned and 'lazy' as they like"

In a democracy? Really? I have every sympathy with disillusionment, but uninterested and deliberately uneducated I find difficult.

Politics affects all our daily lives. The idea that some people just want to be led into war, poverty, ignorance, inequality and starvation with no accountability or protest whatsoever appals me. How can they be so apathetic about their own lives? Also people making that choice make it not just for themselves now but for all of us and those who will come after us. Is democracy not worth fighting for?

I'm also not keen on compulsory voting as it could too easily turn into rubber stamping legitimacy on corruption, but I'm not happy with sitting back and allowing oligarchy to take over either. Meddling? Ok, guilty. I want some control over my own life and choices for my kids.

I agree with, Miss, they have every 'right'. The fact that this is feckless and ignorant is a different issue. That's democracy for you- not foolproof- and we have many fools both within politics and within the great masses of the electorate.

I have always voted in the big elections too, but I find politics boring. The manifestos are long and tedious. I really dont like the run up to the general election because of all the reading up of things I just dont understand. None of the Who Should I vote for quizzes are easy to follow either for someone who doesn't get politics.

Yes I use the NHS, roads, my kids go to school, I get tax credits and all the other stuff, but I very rarely have an opinion on things and very rarely moan about the big stuff. Whatever decisions are made in government is usually met with a shrug of the shoulders by me and life goes on. Then again maybe nothing has had a big impact on me.

I dont really care about much TBH and switch off when politics is mentioned, but I still vote because I feel like I have to. I look at it like an exam with no right or wrong answer in a subject that doesn't appeal to me. A bit of studying and reading before hand to give my answer.

No idea who I will vote for this time because I have not seen anything which simplifies each party and what they stand for.

I admit that my previous votes have not been as well thought out as they should be, but as time goes on I do try harder each time to make an informed decision.

Just wish it was a bit easier to understand each party and what they stood for. Also wish it wasn't as boring.

I found that it all became much more interesting when I started working in a field where I was regularly in contact with people who are vulnerable through no fault of their own, generally because they have disabilities and/or disabled children. The more I see how they get shafted day after day after day, the more I become aware of the appalling political decisions that are leading to this state of affairs, and the more determined I am to use my vote. I appreciate that people lead busy lives, but in the internet age it's not hard to open your eyes to this sort of issue.

For instance blacktrianglecampaign.org There but for the grace ... and we may all yet be there. As all our kids will be if the two mainstream groups continue with their plans against the under-25s.

Yes it is hard to work out exactly what the parties stand for and what they will do from their policies. The amount of misinformation is appalling. You can go on track record too. It's fairly clear what the tories stand for - a rich elite and continuation of proven failed 'trickle-down' ideas. Labour and lib dem are more difficult as they have lied and betrayed in the past. The smaller parties are reasonably open.

Gonna be rude now: I know that politics can be boring. But setting up direct debits, buying petrol and cleaning the loo. In the internet age as pp said, it only takes a couple of clicks to find out more. You don't need to vote for the main parties. As long as you steer clear of the BNP, I don't care how you vote. But you must.

D'oh! I meant loo, direct debits and petrol can be boring - just cocked up my own point: that's politics for you