to wonder why MN is so let wing

[strawberrygate]

That's it really; MN seems to be overwhelmingly Labour leaning and that's not obviously indicative of the country as a whole, and I'm under the impression that MN covers a very wide social/ economic spectrum so you'd think it would be more representative of the electorate a s a whole
Rational non insulting reasons would be good

*dyed not died!

Working on front line in health and social care I can honestly say I would end a friendship with somebody if I found out they voted Tory. My hatred of the Tories is now visceral. I hate them because I recently told not to give people what they need but the minimum possible and then only incrementally increase it when they (inevitably) can't cope. I think my hatred and anger are a perfectly rational reaction to the despair I see every day.

I'd be interested to know if anyone ever gets called an evil labour supporter with no empathy or regards for anyone else in society

I honestly wouldn't give two shits if they did, it would be like Shane McGowan telling me I drink too much. Laughable.

Maybe because there are proportionally more parents on here than in a random population sample?

I'm assuming that parents are more interested in education funding than non-parents, for example.

There are posters on this thread right now that refused to engage in the debate earlier that Bertrand mentioned, just ran in and spouted stuff about weak lefties and refused to engage further.

In almost 300 posts, not one (and yeah you can check!) "lefty" type had sworn at, or personally insulted anyone else at all, but people didn't want to answer points, just feel better for shouting about lefties ruining the country.

That don't look good, and you can understand why some people might end up getting very frustrated with the lack of engagement.

Again- it works both ways!

I would assume it's simply because the Conservatives are currently in power. You don't need to shout loudly about your views if your views are currently represented by the party in power.

Thats was not the case in 2010, it has got somewhat more balanced since 2010 but you still get the morally superior overtones with voting Labour.

Im a dirty centrist but online political debate does just end up with both sides shouting at each other with neither willing to budge.

Smeaton You need to get out more

I am sympathetic to left wing, but couldnt vote Labour this time, I never find a positive Tory thread and even writing this I think I will have to name change.

Because if you admit to voting Conservative you will be eaten alive and some of us don't visit MN to battle with keyboard warriors.

I suspect it isn't that left wing but that the Tory voters keep quiet. I am a Conservative and will be voting Conservative but I don't bang on about it here.

In common with many forums (the benefit of internet anonymity) MN has a bit of a "pile on" culture. Many threads become borderline abusive and bullying.

The stronger voices lead the bullying. Here the stronger more vocal voices are the Left Wing ranters so rather than avoid a pile on oneself, it's easier for the right wing to keep quiet.

Besides it will be a Conservative landslide so actually we don't really need to make a big fuss on a forum like this!

The left wingers are noisy because the are worried and they are righ to worry.

*they are right to worry

Pan-

I used to be far left. Not anymore. They've gone cray cray.

I think it's probably the silent Tory voter adage. Lefties love to shout about it.

Babs care to engage with any of the points that Smeaton raised?

Or are you perfectly going to prove my point about not wanting to engage in actual debate?

Thats the classic example of not really giving a shit.

You have been presented with an excellent list of fact, figures and sources, and all you can come out with is a personal insult "you need to get out more"

And the right wingers are accusing us of being nasty and shouting down debate!??
Uh huh!

I am labour but I don't ever get into name calling, however, I have found a lot of conservative voters (I don't comment on FB but I read the comments) just say stuff then when people ask for facts/figures/research they tend to not reply. I think there are a lot of tory voters on here and they will win imo but most of the people that vote them don't have the research to back up what they believe so tend to stay quiet.

I can honestly say I would end a friendship with somebody if I found out they voted Tory

what a lovely friend you are....

Smeaton
You just happened to have all that information at hand?

I have voted Conservative in past, would vote Conservative again. I voted Brexit also! There I've said it all now.

Downstairs see Babs above for a perfect illustration of your point.

No need to actually debate, or read, or engage.
Just fling around insults when someone produces facts and figures.

No wonder this country is fucked when people hold strong political views but make absolutely no effort to check fact and figures, and when presented with them try and shut down debate.

oooh, let's all be brave then if we're being assured there's no name calling. I also voted brexit

Or, when offered facts and figures say things like

"Smeaton You need to get out more"

I'm sure there are lots of reasons:

• shy Tories
• demographic bias of Mumsnet - both age and social profile. I don't think it is entirely representative of the UK and certainly there will be more 25-50 year olds on here than older and younger voters
• the fact that the left is in opposition at the moment and therefore needs to argue more strongly

- particularly strong views on education policy and health/ social care. People with lots of recent experience of SEN in schools or academisation or healthcare cuts are highly likely to be members. Indeed, if you have a child with a particular special need you're more likely to find support in a forum than if you have a typically developing child.

That's not to say all Cuntservative voters are only looking out for themselves. Voting in the Cunts because that bunch of cunts serve their purposes and they're too stupid or selfish to see the damage the Cunts have done to the wider society.

I honestly believe that some people are coming on here and pretending that they are labour and coming out with dreadful comments

And the other way around

(Not saying that the post above is the case...just an example of an extreme that I believe may be shit stirring and not opinion)

Chaz
Why is it so hard to understand that some people like to know all this stuff, and have it hand??

I don't have the time/inclination, but a friend of mine keeps a file with all relevant links, fact, figures and sources so she can use them when debating.

This stuff is so important, and the fact that we question people for knowing things and/or storing information for further reference is really worrying.

Indi and Rocket I wish there was a 'like' button.

Lana I haven't come here to debate. I've already voted.