to open a non-insulting, non-emotional thread asking Tory voters for their reasons (not just in this GE but in general)?

[iloveeverykindofcat]

I struggle to understand why anyone who isn't super-rich votes Tory, but I'd like to know. I'm not going to insult anyone or claim you're a terrible person or that I'm morally superior for voting Labour - as I was trying to explain to a woman claiming that 'we can't afford charity', I don't see wealth redistrubution and public spending as charity at all. Its enlightened self interest. Higher and more benefits = less crime and safer streets. More investnment in the NHS = shorter waiting times, more affordable prescriptions, better access to specialists. Better standards of education = multiple social benefits for everyone. I'm solidly middle class and fulltime employe - under Tory governments I have usually been slightly better off in financial terms than under Labour. But I consider the social benefits of a Labour government (directly to myself here, I'll leave moral arguments out of this thread) to signifantly outweigh that. So when you vote Tory, unless you are super rich, what do you consider are the benefits to yourself and your family?

Winter of discontent, it wasn't fiction. It happened. Corbyn comes from those politics

Because Labour want to spend great amounts on public services but cannot say how it will be funded ...and the bill has to be paid or rolled forward onto our childrens future.

Conservative policies want a thriving economic environment generating wealth first, only then can money be spent on public services.

Far too simplistic but all the spending needs paying for.

How do you define "super rich"?

Self Interest

Far too simplistic but all the spending needs paying for

..and so do tax cuts!

btw you do realise that the national debt has gone UP under the tories don't you?

Labour were clever with the tax cuts because it was 40p under labour, then for the last 2 months when Gordon brown was in power they put it up to 50p. Then when the Tories got in they lowered it to 45p and Labour accused them of "tax cuts for the rich" It's all spin imo.

Because I cant stand hypocrisy.

Do not ever tell me that I cannot have something whilst taking that something for your self. The example I will use is education. If you are going to tell the general populace that a comprehensive education is the right and proper thing to do - do not send your child to a grammar/faith/private/fee paying/pubic school and keep telling me that the nearest sink estate school with 40 to class is good enough for my child but not yours.

How dare you take away the opportunity my child might have had if in the right environment.

Socialism, the destroyer of aspiration.

I'm solidly middle class

How so? Are you sure?

StillDrivingMeBonkers
I'm a socialist I live in a grammar area. My DC did not do the 11+ they went to the nearest school. This was the right environment.

Can I tell you comprehensive education is the best model?

I would pay more under the Tories. I am happier to do that than support a party that has not reduced the deficit but inflicted cuts on the poorest in society. Instigated a system where a minimally qualified person can over rule the judgement of a consultant. But most of all have reduced police/security forces massively at a time we need them most.

Just didn't believe the manifesto Cornyn was selling us. He was offering us the world; increased spending on NHS, Housing, education, renationalising the railways, free uni tuition, etc. The combined cost of what he was proposing would run into billions, and the figures just didn't add up. There is no way he would have been able to deliver on his manifesto, so it came down to trust. He was desperate and just threw everything into the pot to gain votes.

I can't stand the idea that everything is the state's fault. Everyone is a victim. It doesn't help people. That seems to be Labour's stance.

I like free tuition fees but only if they close half the university courses and replace them with plumbing school. That could be free too. It would actually be useful to society and to these poor children instead of stupid photography degrees etc.

Oh also, McConnell had a go at people who shop in Fortnums as though they're inherently wicked. What is wrong with people who are supporting a business which employs lots of people in the UK??? Would he prefer it collapsed? When Labour start talking like that I think 'OK, we are never ever going to see eye to eye'. I am PROUD of Fortnums and its global brand.

Moussemoose

I too live in a grammar area and I will tell you the comprehensive system is shocking. I recently left after ten years employment in it.

Without meaning to be directly rude I'm not interested in anecdotal stories, you choose what is best for your offspring. Your personal choices are not party politics which is what we are discussing.

StillDrivingMeBonkers

If your not interested in anecdotal stories don't give me yours to prove a point. A point I could disprove with my anecdotes.

Some politicians are indeed hypocrites, on both sides, it is the policy not the person that needs consideration.

How dare you take the opportunity off all children to benefit your child.

I voted Tory because I wanted Teresa May to deal with Brexit and Donald Trump. As we are leaving the EU, it may be better for a leave supporter to take the reins so I'll be watching the Conservative leadership jostling with interest.

2x2=4
2+2=4.
Accept that people believe in a different way of doing things and have different wants, expectations,needs and opinions to you in lots of ways politically being one.
At the core lots of people agree on most issues, they just disagree on how to get there.
I'm a labour voter but I'll never insult someone for voting Tory or really question it. I researched, thought about it and came to the conclusion to support labour I presume they did the same but decided to vote for conservatives.
That's all.
Hth

At the core lots of people agree on most issues, they just disagree on how to get there

I don't think that's true, actually. I think people differ quite a lot on how big a government they want/how much they wanted the market to be regulated.

Why would I say I'm solidly middle class? I guess because both my parents when to university as did my brother and I, I have a professional career, and though my family isn't rich I've never known food or housing insecurity. I think that means we're not working class. But we're definitely not upper class - we all have to work for a living and went to comprehensive schools. Though I'm aware that under a strictly Marxist definition, anyone who works for money is working class.

Re Blair: that was actually the one GE I didn't vote Labour in.

I actually believe right now is the worst time for a change, with Brexit needing to be negotiated, and Corbyn seems totally indifferent to Brexit. (I'm a Remainer)
Corbyn, like Trump, is promising a Santa wish list of ideals, which he can't carry out.
I don't believe the utilities and transport need to be renationalised. A wasteful, expensive enterprise. A lot of money that won't be going to help people, or into the NHS, if Labour goes ahead with that policy.
Labour brought in, and tripled tuition fees in the first place. Is Corbyn now saying that was wrong?
It was Labour that spent all the money in the first place, why would they be any better this time around?
Cornbyn's policies are for people with short memories.

I support many of Labour's aims but wouldn't trust Corbyn as far as I could throw him. I think even less of Abbott and McDonnell. Add to that, I am just old enough to remember the 1970s when the hard left were last in power and I feared for both mine and my children's future.