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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:
FlossALump · 04/05/2007 12:12

I have always passionately believed in voting. Have always done it since I turned 18. This time around though, I haven't. There simply isn't anyone I want. Seriously. Perhaps I am apathetic, but TBH until someone decent is leading the parties I will just stay well out of it.

frogs · 04/05/2007 12:15

I grew up with various members of my family who had been in prison under non-democratic regimes of one kind and another. It was drummed into me that people have died for the right to vote and it's a moral duty to exercise our vote, since we're lucky enough to have one.

I get really, really grumpy when I hear people twittering along the lines of, "Oh politicians are all the same really, it doesn't make any difference, I just can't be bothered."

It's so lazy. And so ungrateful, somehow.

God, I sound so self-righteous. But really.

PenelopePitstops · 04/05/2007 12:15

if you dislike the candidates just spoil the paper, it shows you could be bothered to turn up but couldnt find anyone suitable.

Original poster
frances5 · 04/05/2007 12:25

If you don't like the candidates then you should stand for election.

OP posts:
colditz · 04/05/2007 12:29

Gosh, all these 'should's flying around. Very Mumsnet.

You can't fine people for not voting. That's not democracy. They are exercvising their right not to vote - if you punish them and take that legal right away from them, we are bordering on the realms of Fascism.

Interesting that on a thread about exercising your voting rights in a democratic sociaty, we are talking about making people do something a certain way, whether they want to or not.

Hulababy · 04/05/2007 12:31

I am not interested in politics very much, at all TBH. But I do vote. There is no real excuse ot too and it is so much easier now. I had a choice of going in oerson, postal, telephone or intervet voting. Dorgot to send my form in quick enough for internet, but it doesn't take two minutes to post the letter does it?

UnquietDad · 04/05/2007 12:39

The point about voting is that even people who "aren't interested in politics" are, and should be, interested in: the holes in their road, their street lighting, the condition of their local schools, their school catchments, the leisure provision in their town, the bin collections... I could go on. I used to profess that politics didn't interest me, but it interests me far more these days now that I see it is related to all of these things and more. That's why I always vote.

There is a big controversy at the moment with two schools near where I live about to be merged (although you wouldn't think it was major news given the coverage it's had from the local media - had it been in a slightly different postcode they'd have been ripping the council apart for it). There's been a so-called "consultation" on the issue with local people which has just been an absolute farce.

Yesterday's votes are still being counted, but if a different lot get in today then that decision may be reversed.

UnquietDad · 04/05/2007 12:41

In student elections we always had RON as an option. (Re-Open Nominations.) if you didn't like any of the candidates on offer, you were encouraged to "Vote Ron".

becklespeckle · 04/05/2007 12:49

Well I am obviously a lazy apathetic twunt. I did not vote this time although sometimes I do. I think we should have a none of the above option, I don't really see the point of spoiling the paper though TBH. So what is worse, voting for someone for a random reason or not voting at all?

Lilymaid · 04/05/2007 12:52

In many countries people will queue for hours to vote as they appreciate having that democratic right. In a country like the UK where people have many rights, why don't they take their duties seriously and participate in a democratic society?

ceolas · 04/05/2007 12:53

Not necessarily lazy but apathetic. I can't stand apathy.

We need to make it compulsory.

nogoes · 04/05/2007 12:55

I think you are being unreasonable.

I did vote but I don't think I will vote in the general election because I don't believe that any of the parties are competent. I suppose it depends on whether we have a really good local candidate who will make a difference.

nogoes · 04/05/2007 12:56

Good post Colditz.

Furrymummy · 04/05/2007 13:02

Well DH & I intended to vote! However, things just didn't work out, we both got home from work with just enough time to grab some food before heading out to attend a committee meeting for our church and unfortunately it ran on a bit longer than we thought so just missed the deadline to get to the polling station. Both DH work many miles away from home in very busy jobs so no chance to leave early to get there. I think we probably could make more of an effort(i.e. stopped at the polling station on the way) and if postal voting had been an option (I don't think it was for this one though there has been for other elections) I definitely would have voted. So no, I don't think you are being unreasonable. We are regular voters normally.

MaeWest · 04/05/2007 13:02

I always vote, whether local or national, sometimes I spoil my ballot. I see spoilt ballots as ticking 'none of the above' and have written that on occasion. If I didn't bother at all, I would be lumped in with that other 38% or so who didn't vote, and how are the politicians to tell that I stayed at home because I was witholding my vote in protest and not because I was too busy/apathetic?

NoodleStroodle · 04/05/2007 13:05

Women died to get the vote for women.
Women went on hunger strike and chained themselves to railings so that women in this country could vote.
And we can't be bothered to walk to a polling station and exercise our right which was so hard fought for....perlease...

casbie · 04/05/2007 13:07

it only takes apathy to let in the BNP - please vote!

look at France, where it's almost acceptable to vote for the National Front.

do you really want your comfortable life turned upside down by these people?

i'm going to go all Yoda speak now...

apathy leads to ignorance
ignorance leads to distrust
distrust leads to hate
hate leads to fear
fear of... leads to loss of freedom and democracy

even now it absolutely enrages me that the police can imprison anyone by dragging them off the streets and hold them for 28 DAYS without due process.

what is the world coming to?

use your vote or loose it.

rabbleraiser · 04/05/2007 13:09

I didn't vote yesterday. I went to the seaside instead. I've always voted, but this year I just couldn't be arsed.

I understand the arguments from both sides, but on this occasion I exercised my democratic right to bugger off out for the day.

In my ward, no-one's knocked at my door to canvas my vote. If they can't be bothered, I sure as hell can't.

Also, and I'm not sure how this is going to go down, I don't really think the political system in the UK amounts to real democracy. We vote someone in for a few years, whether at local or national level, and that's it. We aren't consulted on anything after that. They can do what they like under the excuse of their 'mandate.' The Swiss model is much better.

Furrymummy · 04/05/2007 13:09

Thinking about the candidates though, coz I did have a read through - have to say, dunno if it's because we're in a new build, but had very little info wrt who they were. Got a leaflet about the Tory and one of the Independent candidates, and not the Labour Candidate. No other parties were represented. Really had to dig around for info so could make an informed choice!

dionnelorraine · 04/05/2007 13:09

I cant be arsed to vote! I hate the government. All parties are crap and full of fake promises. Who ever wins the election wont make a big difference to this country. It will always be in trouble with money, NHS, imagrants etc.. and we will always have to pay way to much tax! So no, I will never vote! No point!!!

hatrick · 04/05/2007 13:12

This reply has been deleted

Message withdrawn

GiantSquirrelSpotter · 04/05/2007 13:12

Yes

Some people don't vote because they don't want to give the stagnant political system we've got any legitimacy.

Perfectly reasonable imo.

joash · 04/05/2007 13:14

I think voting should be compulsory, but that there should be some sort of 'abstainance/no vote' box to tick. I often think more people would take some interest and vote if they had to go to the polling station. Otherwise - those who don't vote have no right to bloody complain.

casbie · 04/05/2007 13:14

dionnelorraine - even though if you loose your voice politcally?

even if the BNP get in?

even if your child was pulled off the streets because they were a 'terrorist threat'?

the governement dicatates whether you can recieve ante-natle treatment to whether you can afford to go on holiday this year - surely your passionate about that?

if your not passionate about these things, then tell me what your passionate about and i can link into decisions made by government!

dionnelorraine · 04/05/2007 13:24

Sorry casbie but you cant change my mind. I am emigrating to Australia soon because this country is a big fat mess! I dont like any of the candidates, as I said, full of fake promises. I have no respect for the government at all. all these years I have NEVER voted and tbh nothing much has changed either. So whats the point. All the polititions are liars and money grabbing toss pots! I have better things that take priority in my life. Politics imo is a waste of time. Yes that may sound 'ignorant' or 'neive' or 'stupid' to you. But thats ok, I dont mind what other people think, each to their own!