To despise people who don’t vote

[Unfinishedkitchen]

Found out recently that a friend who complains about the possibility of Brexit didn’t actually bother to vote in the 2016 ref. I know of a few people who couldn’t be bothered to vote in the recent EU elections although it appears they have plenty to complain about.

I actually feel like distancing myself from them. I know at least one of them has bothered to in to vote on one of those stupid ITV talent shows.

There’s some woman right now on the radio saying she didn’t vote because she’s fed up and doesn’t know who to vote for!

Why are so many people happy to be bystanders in things that affect their lives and those of their loved ones? Maybe that movie ‘Idiocracy’ was a premonition?

Despise is a bit strong.
I think voting should be compulsory like in Australia.
But I think that would possibly see a swing to the right.
It's harder to 'sell' socialism

I didn't vote in 2016 because I found the whole issue confusing, with ramifications I didn't understand.

Turns out the politicians didn't understand it all either.

If i could do it over, i would vote, but honestly, did anyone really think that all this time later we would still be in this mess? It should never have gone to vote.

Despising someone for exercising their right is a bit ridiculous though.

I don’t think despise is strong speaking from my own experience with the people I know. They can make time for all types of foolishness but can’t find time between 7am and 10pm to go around the corner to put a marked piece of paper in box. They will then complain about austerity, cuts, Farage etc etc.

Maybe I’m just angry about the apathy of many (crappy sleep). I’ll soon calm down but I’ve lost a lot of respect for these people.

Despise? Build a bridge and get over yourself.

It's excessive to despise anyone for something like not voting. You can feel how you like, though without being U.

I think it's wasteful not to vote and if you choose to exercise your right not to vote you can't then complain about any or all of the consequences of our voting system being a big old load of shit.

My friend who has never voted goes on about democracy all the time. He often threatens to rip off stickers which are negative to Brexit... I no longer discuss politics with him as he is insufferable but he never voted.

I should add that I have less time for people who don’t vote than people who voted Brexit because at least those people bothered to make a decision and act even if I don’t agree with them.

Think about it though, if people genuinely don’t have a choice that represents their views who do you expect them to vote for? Low turnout sends a message- that people are disengaged, they’re not getting what they want or need

I despise people for judging others then coming onto Mumsnet to start threads about them.

Despise is too strong a feeling for someone doing something perfectly within their rights.

As it goes I get exasperated with people who don’t vote but have strong political opinions, spoiling your vote has a marginally greater impact than just not turning up. At least the political parties know there are voters there to win over. Non attendance suggests apathy and there’s no reason for them to reflect the views of that portion of the population since they won’t affect the outcome in any way.

I didn't vote. No one was representing my interests or thoughts. There wasn't a voice for me so I felt I couldn't use mine. My mum after 50 years, voted green as a protest vote. It was as pointless as my none vote. Despise all you like. I haven't ever made a TV talent show vote either.

Oh I also know two women who can't register to vote because their violent ex used the register to find them the last time they did... And kick their teeth in.

If you didn’t vote then you have zero right to complain.

I think voting should be compulsory but many people aren’t prepared to put the time and effort to research the different parties, their policies and proposals.

I don't think 'despise' is too strong a word. I'm equally fed up with the complainers who can't be arsed to do a bit of research and go and vote.

I have voted in every general, local and European election since I was old enough to. Sometimes my vote doesn't make a difference and sometimes it does but if you don't bother then you can't moan about it later.

My Gran fought for the right for women to vote and I'm buggered if I ever let her down by now popping an X in a box.

Sadly not voting allows certain political parties to make massive claims that aren't true.
Right wing factions don't want people to vote. They prefer apathy and encourage it.

My df was always very keen that we should vote, he was Irish and his DBS were also politically minded. My dm was born in 1917, before women were able to vote. We were brought up to think voting was important. My late dh always took an interest in politics and in later life was able to do a degree and masters in politics.

I have to be honest the EU elections were not something I took a great deal of interest in but did vote this year. I live in a Leave area in the South West and was interested to see that the combined vote for the Greens and Liberal Democrats eas higher than those for the Brexit Party.

I think if there was a second Referendum it might be a win for Remain, but think it's close.

*not

It does annoy me when people don't vote but I wouldn't go as far as using the word 'despise'. You can't control the actions of others - venting your frustration over them not voting will be unlikely to get them to start voting. I just make sure I always vote and I try to ignore the non-voters. I have nothing to say to them and they have nothing to say to me! Let them be and get along with everyone is my outlook

Voting should be compulsory.
Women had to fight for a long time to gain the right to vote, there's still many people in the world who don't have the choice to vote.
I'm Irish living in Ireland, our ancestors spent a long time fighting to gain voting rights, many lost their lives doing so. Every time I vote no matter how little interest I have in the particular ballot I think of them.

People have a right to vote.

But they can also exercise their right not to vote.

I only despise people who don’t vote because they can’t be bothered. If they don’t like the choices offered then fair play.

I feel very strongly about my right to vote usually, but I didn't vote on Thursday because I didn't understand it so couldn't make an informed decision.

Despise me.

I’d rather people who don’t understand didn’t vote. Members of my family didn’t have a clue what Brexit was but they voted leave anyway ‘I went with my gut’ one of them said. They still don’t understand what the implications are.
I do not think that forcing people to vote is the way to go. I think it would make matters worse for those of us who actually engage our brains before we head to the polling station!

Well I've just watched a very confused, idiotic woman being interviewed on breakfast news and at the end, when she said 'but I didn't vote because I tried but I didn't understand it' I just thought 'thank god'. I think there's something to be said for admitting that you're too thick to do even basic research and just bowing out.