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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To think that people who can't be arsed to vote are lazy.

134 replies

frances5 · 04/05/2007 11:42

A democracy cannot run if people do not vote. We need the right politicans to ensure our country is well run. People who don't vote are letting their country down.

Especially as in many countries many people do not have the freedoms we enjoy.

OP posts:
expatinscotland · 04/05/2007 11:43

I agree.

quadrophenia · 04/05/2007 11:43

apathy really pisses me off

2shoes · 04/05/2007 11:44

no I agree

WideWebWitch · 04/05/2007 11:44

You know I just plain forgot yesterday. I do think people should vote.

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2007 11:45

definately, i thin it should be made compulsary to vote with a 'no suitable candidate' box on the form.

I'm a student and hardly anyone I know bothered to vote but then thehy complain about all the things they would be voting for.

DeviousDaffodil · 04/05/2007 11:45

it should be compulsory. Even if you spoil the paper. If you don't vote you cannot justify moaning about the legislation and the government.

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2007 11:46

definately not being unreasonable

marieg76 · 04/05/2007 11:46

I completely agree. In 2005, only 61.2% of the electorate voted. I somehow don't believe that the 38.8% that didn't have nothing to complain about. In fact, they probably complain about everything even more but can't be bothered to do anything about it. No vote, no voice as far as I am concerned. If you don't use your right to vote, you've no right to complain about how the country is run.

Moomin · 04/05/2007 11:46

I agree too but am sick of arguing with dh about it. He trots out the 'there's no one worth voting for' line, even though I've told him he should just go along and spoil his paper then! At least he'd be registered as voting. I definitely want our dds to see voting as a positive thing. Was trying to explain a bit to dd1 last night when she asked where I was going. This morning she said 'oh I almost forgot - who's the winner from that thing you did?'

Hillls · 04/05/2007 11:46

I couldnt be bothered to vote, I am not lazy I am in a new area, have no idea as to what people are refering to as have not found my feet yet, everyone seems to be talking about the same issues so in my view whoever gets in will do what they want anyway regadless what I say, Isn't that usually the case.

bonkerz · 04/05/2007 11:47

I got annoyed when i kept being too busy to get to vote which is why i applied for postal vote! Definately alot simpler and easier for my hectic life! In answer to OP i would say TOO BUSY not TOO LAZY!!!!

fleacircus · 04/05/2007 11:48

Agree agree agree, not unreasonable, people fought and are still fighting for democracy. Lazy apathetic twunts.

expatinscotland · 04/05/2007 11:49

There's no such thing as 'too busy'.

Apply for a postal vote then!

I've been postal voting for years. Sit down of an evening with a glass of wine and some materials and make a decision.

It's not even been 100 years since universal suffrage.

And already people can't be arsed.

That's pitiful.

colditz · 04/05/2007 11:49

I'm not lazy. In my ward, there were three Tories and one Labour councellor, and the Labour bloke was a knob who intended to oppose 'affordable' (his punctuation not mine) housing near his house!

And, as a tenant of 'affordable' housing, I will not back him one step of the way!

And that was it. Nobody else.

casbie · 04/05/2007 11:50

i think that polling day should be a national holiday and then no-one would have any excuse.

apathy gets on my nerves...

one of my most outspoken friends, with real political awareness didn't vote yesterday. reason: oh is it this week? i haven't got a poll card yet! i can't vote today.

doh!

filthymindedvixen · 04/05/2007 11:50

What PP said - yes, even if you just tick a no suitable candidate box!

Moomin · 04/05/2007 11:50

Don't want to come over all schoolmarmish, but I just don't think that's good enough, Hillls! It very much does make a difference who is elected. There are a frightening number of BNP candidates in lots of wards now; if no-one else can be bothered to vote then their supporters will. And even where there aren't such extreme cases as this, I think it's a civic duty to find out what's going on in your area and who's responsible.

Apathy sucks

expatinscotland · 04/05/2007 11:52

My father's a Conservative.

I'm not, I'm a socialist.

But I am forever grateful to him, the child of poor immigrant parents, for instilling in us how important it is to make sure you vote.

People fought so hard.

In the UK, even men weren't allowed to vote if they didn't own property - which was most of them - for a long time.

Who knows, maybe even some of those men who fought so hard for that right were your own ancestors.

ShinyHappyPeopleHoldingHands · 04/05/2007 11:52

Not always lazy; sometimes just thick. Not a pc word I know.. so perhaps "lacking in enough intelligence to understand that every person's vote actually matters and can make a difference" would be more appropriate. I would imagine thaty that these people make up a considerable portion of the population.

colditz · 04/05/2007 11:52

It's because we never see any real change, and when you dislike everyone you are offered, when (to quote Southpark) you have a choice between a turd sandwich and a giant douche, where do you go from there?

Saggarmakersbottomknocker · 04/05/2007 11:56

my ds1 voted for the first time yesterday. He spoilt his paper on purpose 'cos he said they're all crap.

But at least he went.

Original poster
frances5 · 04/05/2007 11:56

I once missed an election because I had severe morning sickness and bleeding. I was scared I was going to lose my baby (which thankfully didn't happen) and voting was the last thing on my mind. I was really gutted that I didnt vote in that election.

I think having a box saying "none of the above" would be fair. I am not sure about complusory voting though. How would be decide which non voters to fine. I don't think its fair to fine someone who is developing Alzimzers or is elderly for example.

Prehaps non voters should be made to attend an "education workshop" on the importance of voting or pay a fine.

OP posts:
Original poster
frances5 · 04/05/2007 12:07

Voting in a local election is about local issues. Councillors make decisions about whether to have weekly or fortnightly rubbish collections, or whether to spend money on a youth centre or reduce council tax.

With councillors its best to look at them as individual people and read what they plan to do for the local area. colditz, you aren't deciding national policy. If the Tories want to build more social housing those houses will only get built if you vote for the Tory candidate.

Prehaps it would be better if all the candidates in council elections were independent and forget about national politics in a local election.

OP posts:
noddyholder · 04/05/2007 12:09

It is an insult to those who fought hard for the vote and also to those who still don't have those rights.Everybody should vote

puddle · 04/05/2007 12:11

I have a problem with people who don't vote because they can't be bothered. I have no problem with people who make a conscious decision not to because they dislike all the alternatives.

I had three votes yesterday and only cast one because I didn't want to vote for any other party standing.

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