to ask how to explain to my colleagues why they shouldn't vote Ukip

[msgrinch]

That's it really I've tried my best but they're both fixated on immigration.

Exactly Giddy. The media is chockablock with people telling us who we should and shouldn't vote for. The idea that we must not discuss it in person because it Undermines Democracy is frankly bonkers.

I don't agree that we shouldn't encourage people to think about their vote.

I don't agree with that either. Actually, I think there is a moral duty to persuade people away from parties like UKIP. There's no point in standing by and wringing your hands while doing nothing.

OP, who elected you as the voting police? Women died so that we all had a vote to do as we wished, what gives you the right to decide how we should use that vote?

Well if they really feel like that then probably UKIP is exactly who they should be voting for.

It was quite shocking to hear what they were saying and that from one tiny Ukip point they'd feel so strongly towards them. I don't know what to say, well in ways that would be taken on board, hence asking.

They can vote for who they want

moreshabby no one. They asked and I'm asking for ways to answer their question.

We live in a democracy. Democracy is all about debate and persuasion. Why should politicians and the media/press have so much influence, and not the rest of us?

If you care about the society that you live in, why on earth wouldn't you try to persuade people not to vote for a party that you find morally repugnant?

And if you think you shouldn't ever attempt to persuade anyone to vote differently, where would you draw the line? Would you have tried to persuade voters in 1930s Germany not to vote for Hitler? Or would you have just shrugged and said they can vote how they want?

msgrinch I will pm you.

I'd ask them WHY the migrants should go back to their country of origin? UKIP and the daily mail haterz are capitalising on a kind of unthinking bovine xenophobia.

My only source is the Today programme, but I seem to recall that the bulk of migrants come here and work, not claim benefits, the work they do tends to be the vital but hard minimum wage stuff that UK residents don't want to do ( care work, fruit picking) our local news carried an article on how Lincolnshire farmers are desperate to have more of them, if their businesses are to survive ( salad and veg. harvesting can't really be automated and needs a steady supply of labour)

The migrants have a net positive effect on the UK economy, plus diversity they bring adds to our culture, we get the benefit of a wealth of new food, music, art etc so why do you want rid of them?

You can't tell them not to vote UKIP but you could challenge their basic assumptions that are driving them that way.

I totally disagree with everyone saying you shouldn't talk to them about Ukip. This is serious - Ukip scapegoats the most vulnerable people in society. They do real harm. they are divisive and reductive. And all it takes to counter their flimsy, fear driven points of view is a tiny bit of research. Have a look at the hope not hate website, or the equality trust. they have facts and figures about migration, and about the real causes of pressure on housing, health and the economy.

Black and white thinking and labels isn't going to persuade them.
Kind of thread that makes me channel Voltaire.

Wintersmith...if your only source is 'Today', how is that any less a one sided opinion than that of UKIP/DM

Ask them how many migrants came to this country last year, what happened to them when they arrived, how many claimed benefits and do not work, how many were housed by councils, why they came here and so on.

Then ask them about how many people migrated and the same follow up questions.

I have to hand it to you OP. Ten out of ten for effort. I couldn't find the energy to involve myself in the political opinions of two virtual strangers. At most I'd smile beatifically and say that I never discuss politics, religion or sex in the workplace.

It's none of your business how your coworkers vote.

Agree with Welcome and others. Don't discuss it.

If you're struggling this much to find reasons why they shouldn't vote for UKIP, what is it that makes you so sure that they shouldn't?

If you're going to hold an opinion against something, then you should at least be able to identify why.

msgrinch I would say that before voting for someone it is essential to look at all their policies, not just one of them.
Look at the UKIP policies and ask them specifically if they are happy with those tooRemind them that they can't just say 'Oh it's a lot of rubbish anyway so it's not going to happen' isn't the right answer because it WILL happen and then they won't be able to scream that it's not fair.

Then just tell them that it's their choice, you have yours and you don't appreciate them pouncing on you as if you had to defend yourself for not voting UKIP (because that's what they are doing!).

Oh YY to the fact we are in a democraty and that means it is totally OK to try and influence people around us. That's what ALL potliticians are doing all year round (and a lot of other people too).
I do think that people who are refusing to talk about politics with others or say that you shouldn't try and defend your pov like this are either sheep that just do what they are told to do (ie that's who we've always voted for, Cameron/Farage says XXX so that mjst be true etc...) or that they don't actually know WHY they are voting for X person so can't explain it.

I also think that the fact these 18yo are talking about politics etc is GREAT. At least, they clearly have the intention of voting and they are (sort of) thinking about it and why. Now they need a bit more education and experience to get a more rounded idea of what happens in thwe world/in their country which is a different issue altogether.

Really inappropriate to discuss politics at work but that goes for them if they're talking about it too.

Personally I think UKIP have shown recently that they are actually a nasty racist party and not a party which simply wants a strong line on immigration and to get out of the EU so I will not be voting for them.

I'm no sure why immigration shouldn't be an issue that people vote on either. It's led to most of the biggest changes in this country over the last 18 years so obviously people are going to have an opinion on whether it's affected them positively or negatively and vote accordingly. If people are in favour of mass immigration they can vote for Labour, if they're not I don't see why they can't adjust their vote accordingly? Does it only go one way?

Don't discuss and brush off all discussion, it's not appropriate for the workplace and I'm guessing this is private sector? Because public you are not allowed to express any kind kind of preference or opinion and if you are found to be you can be disciplined.

It's none of your business to explain to people who they should and shouldn't vote for, it's a personal choice. If they are ignorant to certain things it's probably because they've chosen to be. All the parties have shitty things you have to largely adopt ignorance towards to hold on to the things that you agree with that they have.

Point them at a website where you select policies that you agree with, it will (hopefully) steer them to a different party. I can't remember the site. But it's 'policies not personalities' search i think.

Really inappropriate to discuss politics at work but that goes for them if they're talking about it too.

Why? Obviously, people shouldn't talk about politics when they're supposed to be working, or in front of clients, but why is it inappropriate for colleagues to discuss political issues during their breaks?

flora717 Or it could reaffirm their belief? Those voting websites I found rubbish, I had Ukip, labour, tories and my top three ones with all no more then ~30%. I wouldn't vote for any of those three. The only thing that website did was make me more confused because the group i was contemplating I had lowest score for.

Best thing is for them to read the policies and weigh up which comes closest because with any party you will agree strongly with parts and disagree (have to ignore) others.

Of course you can express views to your colleagues in the public sector, maliaki, just not to your clients.