To not vote

[Beeinthehouse]

I’ve always believed in having a duty to vote and I’ve never missed one but I’m really conflicted about how to vote today and wondering if I would be better to abstain.
I have mixed feelings on the EU but voted to remain. I’m unconvinced that a second referendum is a good idea. Whilst I can see the argument that the situation has changed, we now have more information and the first was only meant to be advisory, I can also see that it was presented as a result that would be acted on and I think there are serious democratic issues with then not following through on that. I am also concerned that we could still end up with a leave vote having wasted even more time and money. If we then had a remain result, how would it practically work out with the EU? Are our relationships too badly damaged to remain? I honestly don’t know. I just wish the whole thing had never been started!
So - today’s vote. I won’t be voting for the Brexit party but I’m also unsure that I want to vote for a party that is pushing for another referendum. So I’m considering not voting. Open to opinions and persuasion!
I’ve got to pop out but I’d really be interested in opinions and arguments on the subject. There must be others who feel the same as well.

I feel the same. It isn't that I can't be bothered to vote, it's just that I'm totally conflicted.

So go and spoil your ballot.

Personally, while there are parties on the ballot like Brexit or UKIP, I will vote for someone else, without fail, however little I like them.

How about voting for a Remain party for one of the thousands of EU voters who have unfairly not received their ballot papers? Just an idea! In any case, if you don't vote you are really helping Farage - he always does better with a small turn out so consider your non-voting helping him and see what you prefer!

How about Labour, then? Their party is firmly sitting on the fence and can safely be said not to be a Leave or Remain grouping.

If you don't vote, you don't get to influence the outcome.

Well how would a second referendum be a bad thing?

People could vote on more honest manifestoes.

I went with Lib Dem, precisely because the support a second referendum.

A vote outside of all the lies presented in the first one.

How would Brexit present better options? What are the better options?

What do you/your children need, in terms of free movement for employment/study, protections in the food chain etc?

Vote labour, they’re equally apathetic.

Always vote for the least worst option. Otherwise, it's effectively an extra vote for the worst option.

If you don’t vote then you put Nigel Farage in number 10. Is that what you want?

Spoil the vote then. Don't just 'not vote...'

I used to be a Labour voter, but would vote for Kermit the frog to be in power, before that clown Corbyn!

If you don’t vote then you put Nigel Farage in number 10. Is that what you want?

How does that work then?

I voted Green because I think that right now, climate change is the worst threat to our children's future and Brexit is the second worst.

Our region already has an extremely intelligent Green MEP and I'd like to see her re-elected.

YABU - not voting means a lower turn out, and Farage and his thugs will benefit. You surely see the need to vote to help prevent a Brexit Party intent on canvassing for the NHS to be privatised, amongst other unpleasant measures.

Don't bother spoiling your vote.
Nobody important will read your angry message, we just chuck it in a box.

There is no possible outcome of today's election that will put Nigel Farage in no. 10. Apart from anything else, he's not even an MP!

Personally, while there are parties on the ballot like Brexit or UKIP, I will vote for someone else, without fail, however little I like them.

This. I feel politically homeless at the moment having given up my longstanding Labour membership due to their stance on Brexit and their failure to tackle anti-Semitism within the party. There isn't a single party that I feel represents me and that I actually want to vote for. So I voted tactically in an effort to stop Farage and his ilk gaining power.

If you don’t vote then you put Nigel Farage in number 10. Is that what you want?

Hilarious.

There's also the fact that women fought and died so that I would have the right to vote, so vote I shall, even if I have to choose between a shower of complete bastards.

If you don't vote, you have no right to any opinion about whoever becomes an MEP as a result.

Whoever you want to vote for, please vote. Even if it's the lot you dislike the least rather than like the most. Vote tactically.

There's also the fact that women fought and died so that I would have the right to vote

Fair point well made, @MinisterforCF

No, Farage won't make it to No10 via EU elections but the lack of a vote for a remain party will aid the process of Brexit Party/UKIP being able to lay claim to representing the UK - the thug needs opposing at every opportunity.

He won’t get into number 10 overnight. But if he gets lots of Brexit Party MEPs then he will turn his sights towards the HoC. HTH.

Suffragettes.::vote

You surely see the need to vote to help prevent a Brexit Party intent on canvassing for the NHS to be privatised, amongst other unpleasant measures.

But they'll only be in the EU Parliament until October - they can't destroy the NHS from there in that time, even if they bother to turn up to work.

But they'll only be in the EU Parliament until October - they can't destroy the NHS from there in that time, even if they bother to turn up to work.

No, but they could irrevocably cock up our relationship with the EU going forward. Farage has done a stellar job of making us look like petulant children for years and he's been doing it solo...