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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

Original poster

To not vote

64 replies

Beeinthehouse · 23/05/2019 13:30

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.

OP posts:
badlydrawnperson · 23/05/2019 14:39

But if he gets lots of Brexit Party MEPs then he will turn his sights towards the HoC. HTH.
And the combination of FPTP voting system and the fact that people vote differently in different elections has consistently led to Farage/UKIP/Brexit Party getting zero MPs even on millions of votes HTH

MrPan · 23/05/2019 14:40

No, there is a strong possibility of article 50 being revoked. (no alternative that matches). So the MEPs could be there for a lengthy stay.

badlydrawnperson · 23/05/2019 14:41

but they could irrevocably cock up our relationship with the EU going forward ha ha ha - we aren't exactly starting from a high point - how much (more) damage do you think they are going to do in five months of probably not even turning up?

Lexilooo · 23/05/2019 14:42

YABU

This is one of the most important issues we will face, how can you abdicate responsibility for making a decision?

If you don't want to support a people's vote by voting Libdem vote Green they are remain supporting and are also tackling climate change and environmental issues. They don't support another referendum but think article 50 should be revoked.

You say you think the referendum result should be acted upon, it has been, article 50 was triggered a withdrawal bill has been drafted but stalemate has been reached due to the irish border and the lack of agreement about how our future relationship with Europe should look. We can't continue without something changing, I think the best option would either be to revoke article 50 and remain or to go back to the people with a more nuanced question. I don't think that we should allow the hardline brexit supporters to crash us out of the EU and destroy our economy. That's why I will be voting and anyone who cares about the economy and jobs should vote too.

Think of the poor British Steel workers who face unemployment as a result of this brexit madness. Do you want more of that?

badlydrawnperson · 23/05/2019 14:42

there is a strong possibility of article 50 being revoked.

There really isn't.

palindromeam · 23/05/2019 14:43

I agree with others that there is a danger of the right wing getting a platform for their voice to be heard because too many centerists are too disillusioned to vote.

Unless you want farage to be given a platform to say he has the backing of the people or in the northwest for the totally abhorrent Tommy Robinson to get a seat, please use your vote for Lib Dem or green.

avocadochocolate · 23/05/2019 14:44

Vote for the least bad option.

I absolutely hate UKIP so have voted to keep them out.

MrPan · 23/05/2019 14:44

There really is.

MatchSetPoint · 23/05/2019 14:51

I understand you, I’m so unsure of how to vote, never voted for anybody other than Labour I’m a paid up member too, but I think leaving the EU is a bad idea but I understand people voted for it and I don’t have the right to overrule anybody . I’m so confused i will definitely vote but not sure who for, definitely not for Brexit party or UKIP.

MrPan · 23/05/2019 14:54

Er..you aren't over ruling anyone. You are expressing your hope for us to NOT leave the EU. People voted for it by a slight margin and after being lied to repeatedly about how wonderful it all will be. Now we know it will be a shit show.

mrsjoyfulprizeforraffiawork · 23/05/2019 15:09

Just to say - if you don't want to give your vote to any of the offered parties, I think you ought to go along and spoil your vote at the very least (write "none of the above" on it for instance or a big cross all through the lot) so it is obvious you weren't not bothered to go to vote but found them all wanting. The count will also register how many spoiled votes, showing that those voters aren't all apathetic about voting, just dissatisfied with the current politicians.

Gigglinghysterically · 23/05/2019 15:15

@Gofiguire

"If you don't vote then you put Nigel Farage in number 10. Is that what you want?"
Are you a lot bit Confused or just stupid?

I guarantee you that when the results are announced next week the Tories will still be in number 10.

Nesssie · 23/05/2019 15:23

you are expressing your hope for us to NOT leave the EU. Funny, because my vote expressed the complete opposite.

When Brexit party wins this, will remainers accept that maybe Brexit is the will of the people?
And we have no idea if it will be a shit show, because it hasn't happened yet.

hellooosweetheart · 23/05/2019 15:30

To be honest with you , I didn't want to vote because I think they are all rubbish but a vote is better than no vote so I picked who I consider to be he lesser of evils ( if that makes sense)

YorkshirePuddingsGreatestFan · 23/05/2019 15:38

All the Brexit extremists are out in force. Just vote for anyone but them to cancel an extremists vote out.

userabcname · 23/05/2019 15:54

Vote Green! I don't understand why people aren't. We are constantly being told climate change is reaching the point of no return - time to act on it. No point in worrying about Brexit if we're all going to be plunged into global disaster imminently.

SerenDippitty · 23/05/2019 15:57

I voted Plaid.

crazyasafox · 23/05/2019 16:19

I want people to vote, but this 'women died to give women the right to vote' line really pisses me off.

Women died and fought for women to be given equal opportunities and the right to CHOOSE. And if that choice is to not vote, that's up to them. I personally disagree with abstaining and think you should spoil the vote if you can't decide. But saying women HAVE to vote for SOMEONE because women fought for it, really pisses me off!

You may as well say women should all work full time and MUST have a professional career, because women fought hard for the right to work and have a career etc... Women fought for equality and to have a choice. So whatever their choice is should be respected.

Oh, and for the record, Nigel Farage will NOT be PM if you don't vote.

And

Article 50 is not going to be revoked.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy · 23/05/2019 16:23

you should spoil the vote if you can't decide

What a bizarre concept. So you go out of your way to get to the polling station, then spoil your ballot paper that someone else has to check and then discard!?

If you don't want to vote, DON'T VOTE. You don't have to inconvenience other people.

Original poster
Beeinthehouse · 23/05/2019 16:28

Thanks to those who have given useful feedback. I do want to vote, but have serious misgivings about a new referendum. It’s true of course that if I don’t vote it can be read as supporting the Brexit party, which I don’t.
Do people think this truly is a one issue election? Is there any real point voting on any other basis than Brexit?

OP posts:
Ces6 · 23/05/2019 16:31

Is there any real point voting on any other basis than Brexit?

The Brexit Party doesn't have a manifesto so it is a single issue for them! You can read what the other parties propose.

Bohemond · 23/05/2019 16:36

The outcome of the vote will be used as a proxy by the media and politicians to determine the balance of Brexit/Remain supporters in the country. This will influence many things - from the outcome of the Tory Leadership election to whether or not MPs push for a referendum or, even better, revoke. Vote!

ahnow · 23/05/2019 16:46

Would you consider voting green? Not only are they tackling some of the most important issues of our time, but they seem to be being used as a protest vote for people who recognise that there's more to life than Brexit!

PetraRabbit · 23/05/2019 16:46

OP, you asked if there was any other point in voting other than to make a statement of your personal views about Brexit/a second referendum.
My answer would be to look into what powers MEPs actually have. For example, they can't propose laws- that's done by the commission which you are not allowed to elect.

BoneyBackJefferson · 23/05/2019 16:47

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

What a bizarre concept. So you go out of your way to get to the polling station, then spoil your ballot paper that someone else has to check and then discard!?

If you don't want to vote, DON'T VOTE. You don't have to inconvenience other people.

The bizarre concept is that if I think they they are all shit that I shouldn't bother.

I have a right to vote in a way that shows how I feel and if that is that I support None Of The Above then I have a right to show it.

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