To not vote today?

[teaandcake32]

Have you voted today and if so who did you vote for?

I don't agree with this.

I know plenty about politics and do listen to what goes on. Plus, being older, I have a long enough memory to remember both Labour and Conservative doing atrocious things.

My vote will be earned. Not given to someone by default.

Given that no one knows where you live and what elections are happening in your area, no one can actually offer you any helpful advice.

I suspect all these non voting, ballet spoiling posters are fundamentally Tories anyway.

No you’re correct the families were out at the time luckily but they wanted to cause harm, they were just lucky it didn’t cause harm and don’t be ridiculous about Mandel etc.

I studied the suffragette movement and that’s my opinion, they were at the time classed as terrorists and whether you like it or not they tried to get their point across by causing harm to others, they got the vote due to the war as the government at the time said they “didn’t negotiate with terrorists “

My opinion is just that it’s my opinion it doesn’t mean it’s right or wrong but seeing the evidence of how they went about their campaign doesn’t sit right with my own personal views but if you support them then that’s absolutely fine, we as woman did definitely need the vote and I support that element totally 100% but how they went about it to me isn’t what you do when you need government support, there’s a fantastic documentary on the real suffragette story that is worth watching and it shows an unbiased viewpoint on it

Another reason to vote is to ensure politicians care about different demographics. E.g. Tories know that older people are more likely to vote so that's who they target policies towards. If they knew more younger people ( or women, or ethnic minorities etc ) are likely to vote this might change how they act.

@teaandcake32 "If you tell me who you voted for and why maybe it will make me vote for them."

That's not really how it works. I chose who to vote for based on my life and my views of society. That's specific to me, my choice. You need to reflect on your own life and views and make a choice based on that.
It's the politician's job to canvas for votes for themselves, not random strangers on Mumsnet.
There are also different elections being held in different places.
If you still aren't sure, google your local election and you'll find something online giving an overview of each candidate, that should help you make a choice.

Huh? Why am I being ridiculous about Mandela? It's absolutely relevant to what you are saying about the Suffragettes. Are you aware of the ANC and the actions it took to fight against apartheid?

We only had the option to vote for a police commissioner based miles away from us. I have not voted as I have no idea at all who any of them are. Or indeed what they actually do - except pocket a load of dosh.

This thread has nothing to do with Mandela/apartheid , I don’t understand why you’ve mentioned it, one poster said because of the suffragettes she’s voting and I made my comment too, if you want to talk about South Africa and the apartheid you are very welcome to start another thread, and as you said it’s a very important part of history but it’s not relevant to the UK vote today

I only have PCC election here and I'm voting Tory because she's great on sex based rights

I am the poster up thread who stated we all recycled our votes.

Our politics are centre.
Despise far right, despise far left.
Extremism is almost always the wrong way to go.

What stopped me voting lib dem last GE was dishonesty on a leaflet that we received through the door. It wasn't straight up dishonesty, it was presenting information carefully to make you think that something was the case, when it wasn't.

But if you want to think we are Tories, go ahead. It doesn't impact us.

Which far left party are you talking about? I didn't know there was one.

Translation: No, I don't know anything about how the ANC fought against apartheid, but I'm too embarrassed to admit it after accusing you of being ridiculous for linking it to the Suffragette movement, despite my lack of knowledge on the subject.

If you would like to learn more about it, this article is a great introduction: https://time.com/5338569/nelson-mandela-terror-list/

Wow!!!!

Jeremy Corbyn = extreme left, Labour
Boris Johnson = extreme right, Conservative

I didn't therefore vote in 2019.

I voted this morning straight after dropping DD off at nursery. Polling centre literally next door to the school. Was a Sure Start centre once upon a time. I was the only parent out of hundreds that bothered.
Place was dead, only other voters in the 70+ demographic, which isn't representative of the area as a whole.
Makes me wonder if everybody else is waiting for spouse to come home and vote at teatime, or if the younger demographics just aren't bothering
DH, my Mum, step Dad, sister and brother-in-law are in my catchment. None of them intend to vote
I have no faith in any of them, but voted somewhat tactically. It was for local councillor and police commissioner here

Nothing

Just been. It was really busy, never been like that before in my years of ting and I'm 45.

If you don't vote, don't moan. Also women fought for your right, and the chartists fought for your right as well. You should use it. X

I’m very engaged in politics, but it’s only police commissioner elections here and I just can’t be bothered

Going to vote shortly. Also only picking the PCC and I’m surprised so many others have said the same. Why aren’t we all voting for councillors?

I love an election, it’s the baby’s first one so that’s exciting too.

I feel that I haven't compromised my principles by voting for a self serving, lying politician. I will accept that it doesn't achieve much.

It makes a big difference!

Well I will moan as there's nobody to vote for. I can moan if I want, whilst we still live in a free country.

People fought for the right, not the obligation.

System needs overhauling. NHS should be completely removed from politics for a start.

My DD turned 18 last year and today is the first time she can vote. She said the most exciting thing about turning 18 was being able to vote.
As to what I voted, it was the London election (Mayor and assembly positions) and I voted for one of the Independent candidates and Liberal Democrats for the two assembly ballots.
I think not voting at all is hardly going to help. Someone on the ballot will get the job - might as well vote for the one that most aligns with you. I think many can't be bothered researching the candidates.