I do think it is very important for everyone to vote.
Even if you THINK you're in a safe seat and even if it's "safe" to a party of your liking.
Not least because what would really be horrific would be the brexit party making gains as a result of voter apathy. I can't imagine many of those saying they won't vote want that?
Not voting helps nothing.
Babdoc I disagree that scots independence is worse than brexit. Brexit is the most pressing issue right now and quite honestly myself (and a fair no. Of other scots on here, in real life and on other social media) I think a no deal brexit would very likely lead to an independent Scotland anyway, so actually if you want to stay in the union your best bet is to vote for a party more likely to prevent that.
"It worries me though that people might judge him based on this negative view of his personality. I always go by policies + voting records, and not by how charismatic the leader is." Totally agree.
I've been shocked on multiple occasions by posts on mn (and elsewhere) where a poster has said X y z about a politician when the most minimal of research would show the opposite to be true - most obviously recently with a lot of people liking Rory stewart thinking him a 'kinder more moderate' tory when his voting record and any real research into his background shows he is anything but! I do wish people would not believe propaganda and soundbites and instead looked thoroughly at the real backgrounds and views of politicians.
I can absolutely respect people choosing to vote for X on the basis of genuinely agreeing or disagreeing with that persons views and REAL actions but to do so based on what bloody hat they wear or even them having a bad hairstyle (even if that means they vote how I'd like!) is ridiculous!
It makes a mockery of voting.
Carthage - "so won't make any difference to the Tory majority in parliament." You voting lib dem in what you think to be a safe lib dem seat COULD prevent a possible gain for the tories though, if this thread shows anything with a lot of posters saying "I normally vote X but this time I'm voting y" it's that we CANNOT predict how others will vote.