To not vote?

[Newbie1999]

Prob been done to death, but I’m just not sure I can bring myself to vote for any of them.

YABVU

If you don't vote you are essentially saying that you don't care too much what happens to you or your family. If you're a woman, please remember that people died for you to have this right.

We do have an unfortunate situation of hard right vs hard left. In times gone by, neither would have been electable. But there is always the glimmer of hope for a coalition.

Look at the candidates like busses and vote for the one that will get you closest to where you want to be.

"Voting should be compulsory."
Jusr think how difficult it would be getting the old, infirm and severely disabled to vote, when they probably dont want to anyway. What do we do about those who are mentally incapable?

I also think not voting or spoiling your paper is ludicrous behaviour. There must be a least bad party or local mp you can vote for.

As a pp said, women fought and died for us to have the vote. Please don't throw it away.

I'm not intending to vote nor do I think voting should be compulsory. That's my choice.

Jusr think how difficult it would be getting the old, infirm and severely disabled to vote, when they probably dont want to anyway.

Why does being old, infirm or severely disabled mean that they probably don't want to vote?! Do you lose interest in democracy if you are in one of those groups?

Neither major party is fit to govern so I’ll either abstain or spoil my vote.

Why on earth would I vote for a “bad” party?

@Elphame what about the minor parties? Or the independents? If we never vote for them they'll absolve and then all you'll be left with are the two majors.

Spoil your ballot. That shows you would have voted if you liked a party’s policies enough. Not that you just couldn’t be bothered.

"Why does being old, infirm or severely disabled mean that they probably don't want to vote?! Do you lose interest in democracy if you are in one of those groups?"
It does depend on how old, infirm or disabled they are. Very often in the worse cases, I suspect, yes. Suspect they have more things to worry about, such as being too ill to get out and about. In the case of the severely disabled, such as my family member, who has a brain injury, I very much think he'd benefit from not thinking about it, let alone worry about it if it was compulsory. I suspect those that really do want to vote, are doing so anyway.

Mostly rose tinted idealists with no idea about basic economics. We’ve all seen what the Lib Dem’s are like when they get their hands on the levers and the Green Party would destroy the economy overnight.

I’ve no idea what the answer is but I will not legitimise this incoming government with my vote. It’s time for the country to call our politicians to account for their appalling behaviour

Just think how difficult it would be getting the old, infirm and severely disabled to vote, when they probably dont want to anyway

What a terrible thing to generalise over. We should make it easier for people who may struggle, not assume they don't want to.

Spoil your ballot. That shows you would have voted if you liked a party’s policies enough. Not that you just couldn’t be bothered

How naive, no it's a wasted vote. No one gives a fuck if you don't vote or waste your vote. It's one and the same thing.

You can't really be thinking some one is sitting looking at the cock you drew on it or whatever thinking well at least she could be bothered. Best tell Boris.

"What a terrible thing to generalise over. We should make it easier for people who may struggle, not assume they don't want to."

In practical terms though, it's very often an impossibility. Will there be fines for those people who couldnt do it for whatever reason?

We live in a democracy where almost everyone over 18 is allowed to stand as a candidate . The deadline for nominations has passed for this General Election but if people think they can do a better job than these current candidates (I assume that’s most of us!)) then maybe more people should actually do more to get involved. If not standing for election then at least getting involved in local politics.

ItS like all the parents who Complain about PTAs but refuse to do anything themselves .

@Elphame yes of course, but some of the things they say are valid. Some of their ideals. Better to vote for someone and stand and up and be counted, than sit there moaning that our government is shit without actually doing your bit to change that.

“How naive, no it's a wasted vote. No one gives a fuck if you don't vote or waste your vote. It's one and the same thing”
It’s not the same thing. Spoiled ballots are counted.

"What a terrible thing to generalise over. We should make it easier for people who may struggle, not assume they don't want to."

^ This

In practical terms though, it's very often an impossibility

Does that make it acceptable to say that they probably don't want to vote?

I'm another one who is not exactly thrilled with the options this year, as indeed I wasn't last time, but never in my voting life (and I first voted in 1979) have I completely agreed with the party I have voted for.

Each decision has been made on the basis of the party whose policies I agree with most, or disagree with the least. That means I often have to vote for a party with which I fundamentally disagree with on some important issues, and/or for a party whose leader I don't want as PM. This election will be no different.

This year, there are only three candidates standing in my constituency (the three main parties). I don't like any of their leaders.

On the basis of the debates I've seen so far, I like Adam Price the best of the leaders (though I don't agree with all PC's policies), but I can't vote for his party as I'm not in Wales, and even if I did, he'd obviously never become PM. I also like Siân Berry, but I can't vote Green either.

You don't need to "draw a cock" to spoil your paper. Just write None across them or whatever you like.
I'm sure no one cares. But I'm not doing any of the candidates the honour of giving my support to them. They don't deserve it.

Right, lets just clear this up, all those saying 'people died for you to have this right' etc etc

The suffragettes campaigned (and died) to give women the right to choose to vote. To give women an equal choice in voting, like men.

No one should be forced to vote.

There's a cartoon floating around social media at the moment which is about someone not voting "because they're all as bad as each other" etc but makes the point that those voting for fringe parties will get out and vote.

So please vote (assuming you are not voting for an extremist party, in which case please feel free to stay at home!).

It always annoys me when people come onto these threads and talk about women burning their bras and dying for our right to vote.

Yes, they fought for true democracy, where everyone had a voice. But to call it the "right to vote" is too narrow. The wider point of their battle was the right to equality, the right to freedom, and the right to choose.

Being told you HAVE TO vote is just as bad as being told that you cannot.

I would urge you to read as much as you can about the parties standing to ensure you understand your decision. That is what I have done. I am not very educated about politics, but this time I have spent a lot of time researching to make sure I make the right decision.

If you are happy with your decision not to vote, then nobody else should jump on your back and say you're being unreasonable for making this decision. We live in a fair and just society, and those who exercise their freedom NOT to vote should not be bullied for making that choice.

@LochJessMonster I was composing my own reply (two down from yours) when you posted this, but just wanted to say that I absolutely agree, and it is wonderful to see someone speaking sense.

YANBU it’s up to you if you bother to vote.
Our electoral system is a steaming pile of wank

But I'm not doing any of the candidates the honour of giving my support to them. They don't deserve it.

By not voting you are saying that you are happy for other people to make the decision for you. Are you happy to delegate that to others and not have any say in it yourself?