To not know who to vote for in the General Election?

[Blueskyonthehorizon]

Help me decide MN. I have seen the various political threads going on at the moment, and I need some input. Genuine dilemma not goady thread and please no bunfight.

Brief situation:
I am a professional on an average income with a family to support. No spare money for flash holidays, private health or schooling. Working class background and social housing but no benefits (though have had in the past). I consider my political views to be moderate and socialist but I have no allegiance to any party. I am pro remain and anti austerity.

Here's the real problem: I live in the Home Counties in an area that is historically very Tory indeed, although Ukip have increasing support locally. I don't think my vote will count at all whatever party I vote for (unless ukip). I don't like politics that is "I'm alright Jack, sod you", scapegoating any particular group for the country's problems, or which prioritises the interests of the few over the many. I want good education and career opportunities for people but a safety net if they fall on hard times, or get ill or old. This should be doable in what is a quite affluent country. I want to look forward at what the parties are offering now, not backward at the mistakes they have made in the past.

It seems that this GE is a foregone conclusion. Should I even bother voting or what are the credible options?

OP, if you're a Europhile in a Tory seat where the LDs polled 26% in 2010, you should vote LD. The Labour vote is not going to increase but the LD one might.

I'm extremely undecided - I'm in the constituency of the PM. She has a massive majority here. I feel very strongly that despite having voted for her before, I honestly can't now. My DH is the same - he's always been a staunch Tory supporter so that's a genuine surprise. I hope there are many others who may feel the same way.

I know where you are coming from on this.

May will win convincingly and on balance I think that she and her senior team are the best option, compared to a ragtag coalition with the likes of Abbott in the Cabinet. But we really need strong opposition. If LD can win some more seats they'll be a louder voice in parliament which is a good thing. SNP provide good opposition too, as does Plaid but the latter are small in number. These two parties naturally prioritise their own countries' issues as well (fair enough).

Labour needs to focus on 2022 and its leadership. They'll be back, eventually.

I wouldn't say I'm classically a labour voter. I struggle to find a party that doesn't have some policies or people I don't like.

LALady - I am in the same constituency & feel exactly the same way, I shall be voting Lib Dem & do believe that many more will too.

Yes the EU referendum that was in the last Tory manifesto was definitely aspirational PR nonsense

snowpony I wish it had only been puffy nonsense that they never carried out!

treetop7 how are you going to vote? And is it the same as in the last election?

This has some good advice: docs.google.com/spreadsheets/d/19_yf4RL133fBKscvSbID4eRKwztzY9KSI_2BMaI1bU8/htmlview?usp=sharing&sle=true#

Sorry, it's a google doc with a list of constituencies and how to vote to beat Tory candidates where possible.

Thanks for sharing that greenifer that's really interesting.

The advice for my constituency is apparently going to be available after the local elections. So we will see!

It seems that this GE is a foregone conclusion. Should I even bother voting or what are the credible options

May seem like it but there's literally tonnes of people who don't vote and if they did the results could change, especially those that don't vote for the opposition in your constituency because it looks a foregone conclusion

You need to read the manifestos and vote for the party you like best/dislike least.

It doesn't matter if you are in s safe Tory/labour/whatever seat. Barely anyone votes, if everyone did, it's not clear that those seats would remain safe.

I agree I have a civic duty to vote and I think it should be bloody compulsory! I was just venting a bit of frustration and disillusionment there. I feel like I'm just surrounded by people who have such different values to me in my area. I can't see anything changing soon.

It's always worth voting, even if it's a gamble that may not change anything - what if the lib dems have a surge but lose your seat by a couple 00 votes? Probably won't happen but...

I knew people that didn't bother voting in the Brexit ref as they were sure it was safe for remain. Erm...

*Withinthewhirlwind good to hear

Do people really think that Labour will recover? I watched Jezza on Andrew Marr on Sunday, and he seems a bit deluded. The trident discussion went badly. And Tim F seems to be digging a hole with his religious views. Both these leaders are sabotaging themselves!

Yeah JC was as unappealing as you'd expect on air strikes - he's against them, and his answer to the Isis threat is just that he doesn't believe in airstrikes. That is a statement not a foreign policy for how Isis will be contained.

Wait till their manifestos are published. Read them. Decide which fits your thinking. Vote accordingly. Is it really that difficult?!