To not know which political party I identify most with?

[buzzheath]

Bit of a self-indulgent post so please bear with me...

Politics is such a minefield. Not that it really matters - I'm not looking to join a party or anything - but it's bothering me that I genuinely don't know which values/economic stances I agree most with. Of course, context matters, and voting preferences can change over time and depend upon the circumstances, world events, current leadership etc. But I don't even feel like I know which core values I most identify with, and whether they're more left or more conservative.

I'm a second generation citizen, both my parents were immigrants, and I do believe in self-reliance and self-sufficiency, and working hard etc etc. I'm not an anti-capitalist by any means and can't really think of a better system that helps lift people out of poverty.

At the same time, I also believe in taking care of the most vulnerable, and accounts of disabled people, for example, barely having enough to live off or having to undergo humiliating disability assessments angers me.

I'm reasonably passionate about education - I'm not against private schools, nor grammar schools, but think that state school standards need to be improved.

On "culture war" stuff, I think we need to find a way forward that recognises and legitimises the barriers and struggles certain groups in society face, and strive towards equality of opportunity for all. In many cases I think accusations of "wokery" etc are unfounded, but I think that in some circumstances, identity politics can feel like a zero-sum game. However, that doesn't mean that we don't acknowledge the historic, social, economic and other obstacles that women, ethnic minorities, gender minorities, disabled people faced and still do face.

On foreign policy stuff, my views aren't particularly developed. I wish we were a bit more progressive in our understanding of things like Israel/Palestine, but I think the Ukraine response has been effective, and the Afghanistan withdrawal was a disaster.

I voted to Remain but also don't subscribe to the self-righteous lefty idea that everyone that voted Leave is a racist or a bigot.

I feel like I sound very middle ground tbh, but this just means I genuinely don't ever know who to vote for in elections or generally support.

Oh, and on taxes I'm fairly liberal, so low taxes. I generally support free market freedoms too.

I don’t identify with any of them either, I have voted for several different ones over the years based on whichever policies I relate to at the time.

It can be useful to do some of the online quizzes where it asks you many questions based on the different party’s views and tells you which one you are most alike.

You don't need to identify with a political party, it's not like supporting a football team. When there's an election, read the manifestos, watch the debates, even talk to the candidates if you get the chance, and pick the least worst option. That choice might change over time - I've voted in every election since 1983 and have voted for all of them during that time.

They all lie, so I just pick the one to vote for at the time that is lying about things that are in line with what I want at the time :)

@Limer I get that, and I do do that, but I suppose I'm saying that I don't even know what the least worst option would be. Policy announcements and manifestos often change but the fundamental principles and beliefs of the party do tend to stay more constant. And I don't know which of those sets of core beliefs I identify more with.

You might be a Lib Dem. I see them as being centre-right economically, but left-wing socially. They can be quite wishy-washy though - maybe they’re still working out what they stand for too.

I know what you mean @buzzheath . But from what you’ve said I’d vote for you 😁. I think a lot of people think similarly, it’s a shame there isn’t credible centrist party.

I don’t support one political party for life, like a football team, I’ll look at how the country is and what the parties are saying at election time.

I could have worded that better - I didn’t meant to imply you were wishy-washy btw.

Finding a party with core values and principles is hard.

But do you vote for what’s best for you, what’s best for the country or what’s best for the most vulnerable.

I read other peoples views and realise that lots of people vote for what is best for them specifically.

I always thought you voted on balance for what is best for the country and take your own circumstances out of it.

@Nolongerteaching Most people ultimately vote in self-interest, no? That seemed like the point to me. I'd say one should try to vote in accordance with their values, and in most cases that would also serve their self-interest (though in some, go against it).

@igivein Hahaha thanks! I'd probably vote for the lib dems if they were more credible, and if we didn't have a system that favours the two biggest parties.

You sound pretty centre to me. A lot of people are. Centrist views have not been well represented in recent years so feeling 'homeless' politically is unsurprising.

The Conservative party are really quite far to the right at the moment. They may have spoken to you more in better times for politics. Labour is just swinging back towards the centre after it's time under Corbyn. Whether that's far enough for you, I don't know. The Lib Dems seem to be starting to get their act together after a long time in the Doldrums so they may also suit.

But I really wouldn't worry about it. It's good to be a floating voter. Last election, there was a brilliant website that had analysed all the manifestos. You put in your opinions on issues like crime and immigration and it told you which party/parties you were closest too in terms of policies. Wish I could remember what it was called!

Most people ultimately vote in self-interest, no?

I don’t. Tory governments favour people like me, I’m almost their stereotypical supporter - over 65, home owner, decent occupational pension - not only have I never voted for them but I never will. They exist to make the well off richer. It’s not for me. I can afford to pay more tax and will do so willingly so my vote goes to any party with an ideology of social equality and environmental responsibility.

@Blossomtoes That is nice, but that's sort of what I meant, I think. Middle-class people who are relatively quite comfortable and own their own homes (I'm one of these too btw, albeit younger) can sort of afford the "luxury" (for lack of a better word) to vote in accordance with actual values and principles. Whereas if you are perhaps poorer and are worrying about your next pay check and how to make ends meet, you're probably most likely to vote for the party that will just allow you to retain more of your income, or cost you less, in whatever way that may be.

Yes, I can see that but my political views are shaped by the days I was a single parent in the 70s and hadn’t got two pennies to rub together. No right wing party is ever going to be good for someone like that so I vote to support them - against my own interests.

Like many, I feel politically homeless at the moment. None of the parties really represent me, so I do get where you're coming from.

All I would say is that, if you care about vulnerable people being taken care of properly, then don't ever vote Conservative.

I think there's truth in that. Being able to vote against your own economic interest in favour of broader values and principles is a kind of privilege of a sort, I suppose.

Party politics is like trying to eat from a set menu:

1. Steak Pie, Mash & Sprouts
2. Pork Chops, Apple Sauce, Roast Potatoes, Leeks
3. Chicken Vindaloo, Pilau Rice, Naan
4. Haggis Neeps & Tatties
5. Nut Roast

You love Steak Pie, but find Mash tasteless and Sprouts are the work of the devil. You also realise that the modern definition of steak may include horsemeat that has self-identified as steak.

For religious reasons you don't eat Pork, but love Roasts and Leeks.

Vindaloo is too spicy and gives you digestion problems

You've never had Haggis, but in any case it is only available in Scotland.

Although you aren't vegetarian, Nut Roast appeals a bit, but you find only people in Brighton would opt for it every day.

You also find that the individual chefs for each dish are absolute wallies for whom the word narcissist is an under statement. What you really want is Steak Pie, Roasts and Neeps, but it is not on offer, so like nearly everyone else, you opt for the least worst with the aim of only eating half of it, or you abstain and go without dinner.

Be a floating strategic voter. They are the only ones parties care about anyway.

Except if that was more common we’d have more left leaning governments.

@tabulahrasa Yeah, agreed tbh. Most people do vote in self-interest.

Indeed!
Though it can be more like being allergic to chickpeas, sesame, milk and mushrooms, and finding that your options are:

1. Steak pie with toadstools


2. Undercooked pork chop


3. Unspecified Veggie ingredients

and wondering which one is least likely to do you harm.

I don't identify with one particular party either - it's perfectly normal! In fact, I tend to give a wide berth to anyone who toes the line completely with either left or right. The world is so, so much more complex than that.

I think, at the moment, the integrity and competence of an individual politician (and their 'statesmanlike' qualities) would influence me perhaps more than a political creed.

We have a system where you have to vote tactically to keep your least favoured big party out. In most places you vote either Lib Dem or Labour to get rid of the Tories.

I'm a Lib Dem so I always vote Lib Dem but if you're a floater vote tactically.