To think that not discussing politics is more divisive than discussing them?

[lbsjob87]

Yes, yes, another election post.
Feel free to ignore if you like.
I have become more and more politically aware over the last ten years or so, and actively engage in conversations on social media and IRL about the state of the country, Europe, the NHS etc.
Over the weekend, I pondered on how many people who saw my (public) posts were planning to vote Conservative, considering the polls were saying that they were at 50%, but literally everyone I speak to thinks they are a disaster, and very few people seem to be arguing FOR them.
At no point did I question anyone's reasons, I just asked if they would vote Conservative or not (because I was only interested in how accurate the polls are).
I have had several people telling me that discussing politics is rude, crass and even "discusting" and that they are all the same so it's not worth voting.
But isn't the reason that everyone thinks this is because we are so reluctant to discuss it that we don't realise they are NOT all the same? I even had one person argue that if Jeremy Corbyn was so great, why doesn't he tell Theresa May not to do things.
Like that's how it works when she's the PM.

I know there's a national tendency to abuse anyone who doesn't agree with you at the moment (which is why the word "Remoaner" exists, but isn't it time we all grew up, aired our differences and made informed decisions, rather than keep it all a big secret?

I tend to keep quiet about politics, especially on social media. I agree that any differences bring out full-on verbal abuse from many people.

I'm a floating voter but the one time I mentioned on fb that I didn't like Corbyn I literally got hounded. One RL friend stopped talking to me for a while. It's not worth the hassle.

There's definitely a 'shy' Tory vote. Like no-one ever voted for Thatcher. Right.

It would suggest that you are either in a happy little bubble or that a good number of people are so worried about the backlash they will receive for being honest they nod and smile and save it for the ballot box.

Personally I think there are a lot of "champagne socialists" that when they get to the ballot box they will actually vote in a way that reflects how it will impact their wallet personally rather than in a socially conscious way.

I think there are also people who do not want/need the hassle of being lectured at as to why they are in the wrong it is simpler to keep quiet about their actual views and some may even "smile and wave" and outwardly appear to support what you say but may vote differently.

From your actual OP you seem to be quite judgy of Conservatives and people who don't like Corbyn so why would people necessarily tell you which way they are going to vote if you are already setting out your stall?

At the end of the day it is between me and the ballot box and if I chose to say who I've voted for then that is up to me.