to wonder why people spoil their ballot papers?

[RedButtonhole]

What does it achieve? Surely you'd be as well not voting, or am I missing the point?

I wish I'd spoiled my council one. I know the labour candidate and I don't like them, but there was no way I'd vote tory or ukip so I had to vote for the labour, should have spoilt it.

I said that I have, further down the thread. You commented on it. I have been a candidate in council elections five times. It is absolutely that simple!

I was never able to stand for election, not being British

now due to my work I could not stand for election
but I work to make local councils be more effective so that will have to do

And I'm not suggesting you are a wimp. Your earlier post talked about deposits and financial resources. I am simply pointing out that they are not an issue in local elections. You are politically active and spoiled your ballot paper as there was nobody representing your party on it. I didn't think it unreasonable to point out that the only resources required to get your name on the ballot is 10 signatures and the time it takes to collect them and hand in the form. I have stood when there was no hope of winning, and done my actual electioneering elsewhere, where it was likely to make a difference. You could do that too, is all I was offering. I am not a novice at local elections either.