To wonder how some MPs get elected?

[macarmahouse]

I am not a corbynista, in fact I would consider myself borderline tory, more a lib demmer.

I understand people have different political opinions, and that’s ok.

However, what I don’t understand, is how entire constituencies can vote for complete baffoons. (read; twats)

How can so many people think someone such as Philip Davies, Esther Mcvey, David DaviEs are good choices.

I don’t understand, how as women peoole are willing to elect such people with archaizing views. They are rabdily homophobic too.

When people vote do they only vote for the party, and not consider the individual who will be their MP?

I live near Philip Davies ' constituency and am utterly mystified by the fact that he got elected. Mind you I don't know anyone who lives there who has any time for him.

Every time I hear her speak, I'm astounded that anyone could vote for Diane Abbott.

Because the majority of people who vote, vote for the party rather than the person, how often have you heard the phrase "I'm a lifelong supporter" or people say how their parents voted a certain way so they do too. Everyone has a vote, no one has to vote based upon a sensible reason, that's democracy unfortunately.

In some ways it's getting worse as despite having easier ways than ever before to access all the information available, ther are increasing numbers who choose to filter based on their own views.
Rather than acutally debate the points with those who disagree and actually win the debate, they choose to stay within their echo chamber or "safe space" believing they hold the only reasonable view as everyone agrees with them in said echo chamber.
No platforming is a perfect example of this.

Just watching QT, they never give a straight answer. It drives me nuts.

Well McVey lost the elections before (Wirral West) and was parachuted to George Osbourne's constituency (Tatton) with now a huge majority.

Her partner is Phillip Davies.

I have no idea how Philip Davies was elected. I think he must have about four GCSEs to his name. Despicable man, he suggested that homosexuality needed to be "engaged with critically"

The majority of my constituency is affluent Toryville. MP's father is a local politician too so she's been prepared for this all her life. It remains rather surprising she is so bad at it.

Some areas will just return an MP of a particular party regardless of personality or qualifications. And don't forget the regular boundary changes to strengthen/weaken hold on particular seats.

If people don't shop around for MPs, this is what happens.

After all, if you "always vote " what incentive is there for them to work for you ? They've got your vote.

(See also: insurance companies ....)

Yes to voting for the party rather than the person, but I think many people will also vote for the least worst option.

Philip Davies is far from stupid. He plays the game of local politics very well. That coupled with a safe as houses Tory seats means he’s a shoe in.

Because some people would vote for a donkey wearing the right colour rosette, be that red or blue.

Because some people don’t have much of a candidate choice ?

Because even if your X candidate is quite a good chap, you don’t want X party getting an over all majority so you have to vote for Y>

Because we only really have a two party system at present (apols to the other 3 countries in the union) and if you don’t like X you have no option but to vote Y because you know Z wont even return their deposit and is ultimately a wasted vote.

Because actually its no one elses business but the person voting

My MP is an absolute Tory bellend, the masses (not I) keep voting him in

It's tricky isn't it. I do the opposite, as my local labour MP is amazing, he's helped me personally and is just brilliant in the local area and in parliament. I'm not a fan of Corbyn, but it's pretty clear that he isn't either. I couldn't vote for anyone else.

3 words proving the theory about donkeys wearing blue rosettes:

Iain Duncan Smith

I like IDS he challenges absolutely everthing. He's a thorn in the governments side.

Where I live, you can stick a blue rosette on a pig and it would be elected.

My local MP is Tim Farron. He has been here for years.... Not sure why. His views are somewhat unpalatable to me but there's literally nobody else available. I think this is why people just keep voting for the same person. Or, as a PP rightly said, it is an historic/family/area thing of party choice so whichever buffoon wears that rosette, they're in.

The one that amazes me is Christopher Chope. He's a proper tool, I can't imagine who votes for him but there he is, in Parliament.

I used to live in JohnRedwood’s constituency. 🤬

Didn't Philip Davies come close to losing his seat in the last election? I believe it was reported and then corrected when it turned out he squeaked back in.

I always check out my MP, because I don't really have staunch party loyalty. I gravitate towards more left leaning parties but would vote for a good Tory candidate (maybe not right now - want them out of government soon) thankfully my local labour MP's views and voting record align with mine and I'm happy to vote for him. Voted for Chukka when I lived in Streatham - might rethink that now.

Re. Diane Abbott - she might not always be the best with words but she is very respected in her constituency for representing their views, which is what an MP is meant to be there for.

Didn't Philip Davies come close to losing his seat in the last election? I believe it was reported and then corrected when it turned out he squeaked back in

He had a slightly reduce majority (still over 4.5k IIRC) but had an increased share of the vote.

@dirtystinkyrats

you must be same constituency as me ( 1 with a very nice river in it)

We did have a lib dem MP for years whilst the Tories couldn't field a strong local candidate they only lost the seat when there was a local well known candidate, so I don't think you can say its completely strong.

I have had help from her on housing matters and a friend has had help with disability issues and for us at least she was on the ball and instrumental in getting issues sorted.

Because our electoral system is utter wank.

The seat went when they did the boundary change that I think was intended to strengthen the neighbouring seats for Labour. I will be forever grateful to the nice guy in her office who sorted something for my son but after receiving a letter from her that didn't make sense and entirely missed the point, I don't rate her as a local MP and she clearly doesn't make a good minister. In terms of nepotism, sex scandal and a property scandal she has ticked all the typical Tory boxes. Although female obviously, so she misses that one.

The local area in general is very Tory if you look at representatives on the Borough council. I genuinely think with the current constituency boundaries anything blue could get elected here. Not helped by the fact that because it isn't close no other party makes a decent campaign anyway.

People vote for the party at election time. I'm in a massive majority labour seat, they don't even campaign door to door round here. To be fair he does a decent job.

If there was a snap election I think he might lose some ground as he campaigned for remain and leave won around here.