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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think a 66% turnout is just not enough

89 replies

odyssey2001 · 08/05/2015 10:40

It just annoys me that only two thirds of the population care about how the country is run.

AIBU to think that if you do not vote you cannot whine and moan about the economy, benefits, immigration, the NHS, pensions, potholes, the education system, tuition fees, any political party especially UKIP or austerity measures.

If you don't vote, you don't get a say.

OP posts:

DisappointedOne · 08/05/2015 10:47

Blame Russell Brand.

Griphook · 08/05/2015 10:50

Well if you vote you don't really get a say either, not all vote are worth the same.

But by that logic if you voted Tory you can't moan and whine for the next 5 years. If you can't get a doctors appointment or your mortage goes through the roof, people need to keep their thoughts to themselves

PtolemysNeedle · 08/05/2015 10:53

I agree with you.

It would be interesting to know how many people didn't bother to vote because they live in a safe seat and they know their chosen candidate will get in anyway versus how many people just don't care about their vote.

Bodyinpyjamas10 · 08/05/2015 10:55

I find people who don't vote bizarre. Totally bizarre.

FineDamBeaver · 08/05/2015 10:58

It just annoys me that only two thirds of the population care about how the country is run.

It annoys me that people assume not voting means not caring about how the country is run. Definite non sequitur.

addstudentdinners2 · 08/05/2015 10:59

I think voting should be compulsory.

You could have a little box alongside all the candidates named saying 'I won't be voting for any of these people as I don't feel they represent my views', but you should have to go and put that in a ballot box the same as if you were voting for a candidate.

LittleprincessinGOLDrocks · 08/05/2015 11:03

I didn't vote as I was stuck in hospital. I wanted to vote, and it made me wonder how many people missed out on voting for the same reason. I didn't know how to do a proxy vote until it was too late.

The80sweregreat · 08/05/2015 11:05

Grip, people will moan still. They have short memories!

3nationsfamily · 08/05/2015 11:05

Interestingly in Scotland the turnout was over 71% across the board- whether you agree with the outcome or not, it does show the level of political engagement in Scotland after the Referendum (turnout 86%) - even though the 16+17 yr olds didn't get a vote in the General Election although they did vote in the Referendum.

applecatchers36 · 08/05/2015 11:07

I know a few people who wanted to vote but they elected to vote by post & it never arrived.

But No YANBU

glittertits · 08/05/2015 11:08

I'd only support compulsory voting if there was a 'None of the above' option on the ballot.

I think forcing people to vote for a candidate they don't want to is wrong. Yes, you can spoil your ballot, but there needs to be a formal option of abstinence in my opinion.

Not voting doesn't mean you don't care. A low turnout means only that % felt that they could cast a vote for a candidate. Not voting is as much an undecided vote as it is a sign of ignorance or apathy. It is wrong to assume either way.

addstudentdinners2 · 08/05/2015 11:08

glittertits yes I agree with you, that's what my post said.

TheEggityOddity · 08/05/2015 11:10

The thing is, life does go on. My postal vote never arrived despite me chasing it up. My mum and dad got a last minute holiday that conflicted with the day and only knew the week before. My sis is working all ours to try and pass her PGCE. And we all live in safe Labour seats so no way would we have made a dent. Also if you don't feel sure either way or haven't done your research, I would rather people didn't just vote randomly.

OnlyLovers · 08/05/2015 11:13

I'd only support compulsory voting if there was a 'None of the above' option on the ballot.

I agree with this.

I think all the parties need to think seriously about engaging the people who currently don't turn out to vote. Then again, the Tories in particular don't need to seeing as they play so well to older people.

There were a lot of screw-ups with registration in Hackney, which may have caused a low turnout and worries me greatly.

Andrewofgg · 08/05/2015 11:34

In spring 1970 there were county council elections where one town had a turn-out of 8.7% and I remember one of the BBC pundits, probably Robin Day, saying I hope they get a motorway across their marketplace.

pudcat · 08/05/2015 11:57

62% voted here . Pathetic. The non - voters will be the ones who moan.

Morelikeguidelines · 08/05/2015 11:58

Agreed.

ashtrayheart · 08/05/2015 12:01

What would happen in a system of compulsory voting to non - voters? A fine? What about people in hospital (I told my daughter she could vote but it's the last thing on her mind!) people without capacity having to have it proved etc?
It should be encouraged as much as possible but I don't think it's enforceable.

addstudentdinners2 · 08/05/2015 12:10

What would happen in a system of compulsory voting to non - voters? A fine?

Yes, a fine IMO would be the best way to go.

What about people in hospital In those circumstances, an exemption on medical grounds or a vote by proxy, whichever is more appropriate.

I know it seems harsh but the situation is ridiculous, there are hoardes of people out there who could change the way the country is run and yet they don't bother voting. It's disgraceful.

DisappointedOne · 08/05/2015 12:20

Australia have compulsory voting, and non-voters get fined. But rather than putting an x in one box they're asked to rank all of the candidates in order of preference. It's quite a complicated system but sounds much much better than ours.

Original poster

odyssey2001 · 08/05/2015 12:26

We do need compulsory voting but:

there must be a fine if people do not vote but nothing more extreme and no criminal record - on par with parking fines, but more expensive. Possibly escalating fines for repeat offenders.
there must be a None of the Above option
there must be exemptions for those who are incapacitated or unable to vote (due to extenuating emergency circumstances). This should be made easy to respond and minimal evidence should be required (otherwise it would become a bureaucratic nightmare), such as a free post return slip on the noncompliance letter sent out. However, if you know you are going to miss the vote (such as being abroad), you should apply for postal voting in advance.

OP posts:

Yeasayer · 08/05/2015 12:57

YANBU. I totally agree & I fully support the NOTA as an option for voting.

However perhaps they need to review the methods by which people vote. Just look at x-factor finals participation?!

ragged · 08/05/2015 13:00

Free speech means we all get to moan regardless of whether we voted. yabu.

LarrytheCucumber · 08/05/2015 13:34

I have been surprised how many people I have met over the last few days who don't vote. The most common reason they give is that they are not interested in politics. This morning a chap who must be over 60 told me he had never voted in his life.
I don't know how you can overcome this, other than by making voting compulsory.
Incidentally DS2, who is 20, completely refused to vote, even though DH and I and his siblings are all interested in politics and frequently involve him in political discussions.

QuintShhhhhh · 08/05/2015 13:36

Blame Russell Brand.

Now now, lets not give the man more credit than he is due. Surely this does not mean that 44% of the British Population follow Russel Brand.

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