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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think there should be a minimum intelligence cut-off for being allowed to vote?

153 replies

FireCanal · 07/05/2015 11:04

Woman on train has just told her companion that "in my district, the person who gets the most votes will be the local MP, not just the government". She genuinely appears to think there is something unusual about this Shock
She followed it up with "do you think there is a polling station in Liverpool?"

OP posts:
MrsNextDoor · 07/05/2015 11:05

Your post is vile.

19lottie82 · 07/05/2015 11:05

I totally agree. Flame me all you like people!

TheMoa · 07/05/2015 11:08

If you'd titled your post AIBU to think some people know little about the electoral process? you might have sounded reasonable.

As it is, you sound a bit dim yourself.

AbbeyRoadCrossing · 07/05/2015 11:08

The trouble with this is then certain groups will be totally excluded. My brother has a severe mental disability, I expect his IQ is officially low, but he can vote and understand how it works. It'd mean yet more cuts for people like him as they wouldn't be represented.

Original poster
FireCanal · 07/05/2015 11:08

I was half expecting a flaming.

She is very annoying though.

OP posts:
Fairylea · 07/05/2015 11:09

If that came into force no one would be voting for ukip.

.

DisappointedOne · 07/05/2015 11:09

I'd like there to be a minimum intelligence test for the candidates first.

JoanHickson · 07/05/2015 11:10
Shock
TwinkieTwinkle · 07/05/2015 11:10

I kinda get where you are coming from. I think if you aren't willing to educate yourself on the electoral process then you shouldn't be voting. It annoys me that people are allowed to vote without actually knowing what they are voting for. Why should the future of our country potentially be disrupted by people who can't be bothered checking party manifestos?

LurkingHusband · 07/05/2015 11:11

This may stray into a discussion about whether people who don't pay into the system should be allowed a say in where the money goes ...

time for one of my favourite political observations. I leave the denizens of MN to decide for themselves ....

"A democracy is always temporary in nature; it simply cannot exist as a permanent form of government. A democracy will continue to exist up until the time that voters discover that they can vote themselves generous gifts from the public treasury. From that moment on, the majority always votes for the candidates who promise the most benefits from the public treasury, with the result that every democracy will finally collapse due to loose fiscal policy, which is always followed by a dictatorship."

(en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alexander_Fraser_Tytler)

ApocalypseThen · 07/05/2015 11:12

Well it's the wilful ignorance that should exclude, really. The electoral system in the UK is simple enough to be comprehended by a six year old, really.

WorraLiberty · 07/05/2015 11:12

If she doesn't know something then she doesn't know it. It doesn't necessarily make her unintelligent.

However, it does raise the issue that perhaps these things should be explained a bit more. Maybe they could add some literature when they send out the polling cards.

Original poster
FireCanal · 07/05/2015 11:13

Its AIBU, this was meant to be light-hearted

I'm not actually suggested people be banned from voting for heavens sake.

OP posts:
HagOtheNorth · 07/05/2015 11:16

Light-hearted?
How about a minimum level of intelligence before being allowed to reproduce?
Oh, wait. That's leading down the eugenics path, isn't it? So perhaps no to both suggestions.

Timri · 07/05/2015 11:19

Agree with Disappointed

glittertits · 07/05/2015 11:20

Or you know, we overhaul the political education is this country. Biscuit

DisappointedOne · 07/05/2015 11:21

I've just had to choose the "least idiotic" candidate. That doesn't feel good.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 07/05/2015 11:21

Agree.

So shoot me!

JohnFarleysRuskin · 07/05/2015 11:22

But is there a polling station in Liverpool?

StrangeLookingParasite · 07/05/2015 11:22

It'd mean yet more cuts for people like him as they wouldn't be represented.

What, so no-one would vote in the interests of these people if they couldn't themselves? Do you have to be a member of a group to represent its interests?

26Point2Miles · 07/05/2015 11:23

What is a minimum intelligence cut off?

How do you measure this and who organises it?

Original poster
FireCanal · 07/05/2015 11:23

Ok, clearly not a subject to joke about. I'm off to work now, just in case anyone thinks I'm running away from my public flogging.

OP posts:
StellaAlpina · 07/05/2015 11:26

"First they came for the Socialists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Socialist.
Then they came for the Trade Unionists, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Trade Unionist.
Then they came for the Jews, and I did not speak out—
Because I was not a Jew.
Then they came for me—and there was no one left to speak for me"
(M Niemoller, also from wikipedia!)

That's one of my favourite political quotes lurkinghusband.

Not that long ago women and non-whites weren't allowed to vote either.

JohnFarleysRuskin · 07/05/2015 11:28

I'll measure and organize it if you like?

newfavouritething · 07/05/2015 11:29

Hmmm, a basic political awareness test could be useful - even if it were just to match the party, leader and colour.