To wonder where all the Tory voters are?

[AtSea1979]

All I've seen all day is messages about how disastrous the Tories carry on is.
Personally I don't see the problem (I didn't vote as recently moved house and didn't register in time).
But as far as I can see, Tories increased personal tax allowance so I'm better off and has at least cut the redicilous amount of benefits people are getting, which means I'm worse off as a working single parent but I've been saying for years how crazy it is the amount of money I've been given for getting myself pregnant and having to change my career. I have a much bigger disposable income than couples I know as my rent, council tax and childcare is paid.
However, Tories got most votes. But I'm wondering where they all are as it seems like everyone is against it.

Twoandtwo - difference isn't that big anymore, at least in Scotland - constituencies are only slightly smaller in Scotland (number of constituencies was reduced 2 elections ago from I think 72 to 59)

From the UK Parliament website:

"The typical size of constituencies differs between parts of the UK. The Office for National Statistics gives the median total parliamentary electorate across constituencies of about 72,400 in England, 69,000 in Scotland, 66,800 in Northern Ireland and 56,800 in Wales"

Somewhere I used to live had a boundary change a number of years ago - during the last labour government. It was a Lab/Tory marginal seat and it was hotly debated...
I was told the boundary change was such that the new constituency now included a larger area of what would be considered 'traditional labour supporters'. The change (apparently) favoured getting a Labour MP - with a smaller area of 'traditional tory voters' being moved into what had been traditional tory seat. So the marginal became an extra Labour seat ...and the tory votes just added to what was seen as a relatively safe seat. (I suspect a lot of those labour voters are now voting for UKIP ...so it was Tory this time -first time since the change but that's a different story)
Tony Blair in 2005 got 35.2% of the vote on a 61% turn out
Cameron got 36.9% of a 66% turnout
So the Tories being in power is more 'valid' than the last labour government....this is nothing new.
We do need electoral reform.

80sChild
The tories spent more in five years than labour did in thirteen. They also tanked a recovering economy when they took over. It is a phantom recovery in any event made up of low paid service jobs with little or no security or prospects.

The reason why it is ok where you live is that the cuts have not impacted on safe tory areas - they have been concentrated on those areas (local authorities) which are labour run. My local authority has been very effective in the last twenty years (labour run) and it is in the process of being decimated. All because the local population is predominantly poor and less likely to fight back. If cuts to local services had been imposed in tory supporting areas they would not have 'won'.

I think the self flagellation of tory supporters on here is interesting... I have seen as much goading 'I'm alright Jack' posts by tory supporters on other threads as counter reactions by non tories.

I actually take offence at your post op.

I'm a single parent and I did not get myself pregnant, I made a serious decision not to have children unless I was in a stable committed relationship as I know how bloody hard it is to struggle on your own.

I was married several years before my husband got me pregnant.

I don't know where you are but now that I am single I get zero maintenance or help with the dcs from their father. I do not get my council tax paid nor do I get free rent and I cannot afford to buy my own house now.

I work part time as I gave up my careers to be a full time mum to our children and this was what my ex h wanted.

How dare you suggest that I am more fortunate than someone whose husband has not fucked them over and left them needing counselling.

Yeah, I'm laughing all the way to the bank.

The Tories took away my child benefit for 3dc. I voted for them (reluctantly). I don't discuss it with my friends, as many of them vote Labour and hate the Tories, so I keep quiet.

The Tory voters are all at work to earn money to pay tax so that all the Labour voters can sit at home and go on Facebook and Mumsnet. Lol.

Eustasiavye do you not think that people who are married have counselling? Struggle?
Don't know why you are offended, I wasn't talking about you, I was talking about me and my particular circumstances that led me to think if I had voted then I probably would have voted Tory.
Then again, I can see how the 'I'm alright Jack' (did I get that right?) stance isn't good either.

In addition, I'm quite fed up of the fb threads today all about the NHS. I worked in the nhs for many years and found it effective. Using the NHS has kept DC and parents alive. Yet all I used to hear was people moaning about the state of the nhs and how they should get rid of it.
Strange it's those same people jumping on the band wagon to protect it now.

Mumsnet is heavily patrolled by the leftie brigade who are quick to jump on anyone with differing views.
Therefore on here as in RL - they just keep quiet to avoid the loudmouths.

Cuts both ways. I know many MNers who've given up commenting on Scottish threads (Indyref and election) cos of the predomination of anti-SNP posters.

SeenSheen Agree.

I think THIS newspaper article couldn't sum it up better.

What I find offensive is the statement that you are better of as a single parent and the implication that all single parents are better off than those in a couple.

People like you make it difficult for others who do not get to live in a rent free house.
No I don't know a single person who is in a marriage who has been referred for counselling but I know plenty of single parents who have had to undergo it, including myself. All of which as a direct consequence of being left to cope alone.

Not every single parent starts of single and maybe that is the difference between your circumstances and mine.

You might as well say all Tory voters privately educate their children. That is untrue, some do but you are wrong to assume everyone us the same.

I don't live in a rent free house but plenty do. I do however have four holidays a year, a decent phone, big telly, newish car etc and think the benefit system needs an overhaul and the Tories are doing this. It will probably mean I'm worse off but I'm not exactly living in Nepal am I so I'll suck it up and get on with it.

37% voted Tory. 13% voted UKIP. That's 50% to the right of centre

Labour are also right of centre.
Probably the only actual left of centre party (in England anyway) is the Green Party