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.

@BoneyBackJefferson I agree that a spoilt paper is not an inconvenience; it's a democratic right. It shows more than general apathy or ignorance- it shows dissatisfaction with all available options. I'd say it feels closest to the OP's best option, based on HER views, not other people's canvassing attempts in all directions!

I've voted Green as they're the more likely party to stop the Brexit party getting in in my area. I fully support a second referendum. I think it's quite telling if the Brexit party don't win today.

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.

I totally agree.

I just don't think that spoilt papers make the blindest bit of difference when they usually count for less than 1% of the vote - whereas not voting can be anything up to 40/50% depending on turnout.

That's just my opinion. But each to their own. Democracy etc.

saying women HAVE to vote for SOMEONE because women fought for it, really pisses me off!

No one actually said that though. I said they fought for our right to vote. Of course it's your choice to exercise that right or not. Personally, I do feel an obligation to vote for that reason but I certainly wouldn't say anyone else has to.

GreenFingersWouldBeHandy

I don't expect it to change anything.

At least until they start putting NOTA on ballots (which the electoral commission has said they can do)

But it makes me wonder if spoilt ballots are so low why won't they put NOTA on a ballot paper. Is it because they are worried that the 40/50% of non turn out isn't apathy but lack of recognition for poor party representation.

Vote Green! I don't understand why people aren't.

Because of The Challenors is why.

I'm not a UK citizen and I also didn't know what to vote but the brexit vote you guys had taught me one thing: I should at least vote the best option available (even if I disagree about some of it) otherwise the worse option will win the vote.

KatnissK* because I will never vote for a party that defines me by virtue of not being a man, while allowing anyone who wants to define into womanhood. Plus, as PP said, The Challenors.

HTH

@GoFiguire

This isn’t a general election...

I voted Lib Dem because at least you can't fault Uncle Vince Cable's honesty on this issue.

Clear, factual, sweary, forward-looking.

Unfortunately Lib Dems have ruled themselves out too. They told me they don’t want my vote because I don’t want penises in ladies’ changing rooms/prisons/refuges/athletics believe I can become a unicorn by wishing it were so....

Brexit Party may garner more votes than remain as the remain vote will be split. Brexit Farage will not be able to claim it's the Will of the people bollocks.

I strategically voted green today.

None of the other parties has a consensus on Brexit except Lib Dem, whose consensus is Remain unless there is the prospect of getting a nominal level of power with whoever does get the highest vote, at which point, they'll agree with anything .

So not voting means that the votes that are split between the other parties reduce - whilst Farage, by branding himself as Brexit will attract those who are absolutely certain that is what they want from all persuasions.

I can't think of anything worse than Farage grinning from every paper in the morning. Even the fucking Tories are preferable to that.

I think you should vote. People die for this right.