Ignorance regarding voting is rife

[DistinguishedSocialCommentator]

With the GE around the corner, I read too many times some people banging on about: "You must vote..... women died for the right to vote. etc etc" - then at times you get, "My great grandfather/etc/etc for your freedom so you should vote,etc,etc!"!

People around the world fought for their freedom from the Nazis. It was freedom we retained with millions of armed personnel and civilians losing their lives.
Freedom is the right to choose!!

AIBU to feel that ignorance is rife regarding voting, IE many lack the basic understandings of a 'right to vote' Vs mandatory voting??

FYI, I'm posting from London/England. At times I feel that a lot of these posters may be posting from Russia, China, Australia, North Korea etc as voting there is mandatory I believe and you are not given the freedom to decide.

Scenario!! Come the GE and I have a choice to vote for Labour, Conservatives, Greens, Libs, Refrom, Independent, Etc, ETC. Why should I vote for any of them as I do not just trust my local candidates and nor do I trust at all any political party they represent as things stand!!

I guess, if they had a Jackass as a candidate with the above, I'd vote for that animal.

Finally, everyone that is a citizen of England must have the right to vote when aged 18 and over. Importantly, the right/freedom to refrain from voting must be upheld as this is what my great-grandparents nd their parents fought for!!!

Thank you.

Thank you
Read my OP. I'm clearly stating that many on this site post the bit about the Suferjets and how they fought to win the right to vote and people must vote.
IMO, they are ignorant of the facts that in England we have the freedom of choice which is denied by mainly in countries run by dictators or where people are easily led. What other reason can there be to force people to vote!!

Yes, we must have the right to vote from 19 but the freedom to decide if we want to vote or not

Suferjets?

We can vote from 18 not 19 and nobody is forced to vote. I think people should but it isn't the law.

If everyone has to vote it means no one can get into government with a tiny amount of the vote. I don't necessarily agree that everyone should have to vote, but I think it is stupid to not consider the possible consequences if large numbers of people don't vote. It's not just that none of the main stream parties
get a majority, but some left field terrible party might get in or have balance of power.

It was once suggested to me that if you don't know who to vote for, vote for the opposition to keep democracy strong, ie, no one stays in power too long.

Does Scotland have freedom of choice as well?

Thank you. For this reason, we need a box on the ballot paper stating
"Noe of the above."

I guess Labour and the Tories are too fearful that the new option may win, hence their reluctance to inc this!!

Farage made the point several times that both of the main parties were in collusion. I agreed with that but IMO, Farage is far more worse than what we have aTM

The suffragettes did get women voting rights the same as men after a huge battle. In dictatorships you can vote, but there is usually only one person you can vote for (if you want to live anyway) in this country men and women can vote for anyone we like, or not vote. but it does seem to be a waste to not use our ability to help chose our rulers. And as above lots of people not voting leaves it open for unpleasant people and parties to get elected. Use it or you may lose it.

Thank you, very sensible and balanced post.

The system we have in England, IE the first past the post, is the best system IMO. My opinion is based on what I have observed in countries where they have proportional representation. That system allows the ultra right/left and the idiots in.

I am expecting a low turnout but the Farage rants re immigration and his nack to to look like a man of the people EG Having drinks in pubs, wearing a a cap with one of those coats farmers wear (I forget what is called), IMO trying to look like he fits in with the countryside and people that live there - he may get loads of votes from the Tories as well as Labour. Thankfully, they will not get more than one MP at best. Therefore, first past the post keeps out people like him and those that are a lot worse, IMO

We crossed paths as we typed. I agree with what you say, see my previous post and I'm against PR which will allow the very dangerous to become an MP, IMO

Actually, gotta say from experience... No. English often say English meaning UK.

They also say Poland meaning anything past Western Europe but before Russia....

I cannot express the relief I felt when you told me you wouldn't be voting, OP. Long may you uphold your right, nay, your duty, not to vote.

Also, I think you'll find it's spelt Surfer Jets- well known campaigners for women's right to vote. They took their name to evoke that of their male counterparts who campaigned for working class men to be given the vote- the Beach Boys.

Surely the fact that a great big chunk of the electorate don't vote at various elections, be those local or General, kind of blows your argument out of the water ? Lots of people don't vote in the UK for a variety of reasons, its a thing and nobody really gets as excited about it as you are

Your point is ridiculous, you need to come up with better arguments than comparisons to dictatorships with fake elections. If voting was mandatory you can either pay the fine (depending on how strongly you really
hold your views) or spoil the ballot paper. You’re still able to exercise your rights.

🤣

I completely diagree
The freedom to choose if to vote or not to vote is the question. The answer is clear as one must retain the freedom to choose between the two.

It’s like being locked in a basement with Rambling Syd Rumpo.

Suferjets.

Sounds like a European discount airline.

Haven’t RTFT but I do agree with you OP.
Moreover, I wish people would vote based on informed opinions. That’s what gets my goat.

I am not saying that everyone should read every party manifesto of course, but at least the main policies of each, catch some of the highlights of the debates etc etc rather than:

I’ve always voted <insert party here>
Its time for a change because the Tories invented covid
i don’t like Rishi/Keir
I hate Margaret Thatcher
I like everyone to know how rich/middle class I am so I vote Tory
I like everyone to know how salt of the earth I am so I vote Labour
I don’t have a basic grasp of economics so I will be pulled in by attention grabbing policies (either party)

This is why both main parties are going for attention grabbing policies. They’ve identified their target ‘markets’ and are just playing up to them. They just want power, nothing else.

I wish kids were taught about politics in school

To add to my post, in my constituency I can guarantee which MP will get elected and it isn’t the party I would like to be in power. I feel like casting a vote for the other party is like shouting in to the void.
I don’t know too much about ballot spoiling and what, if any, effect it has but I don’t mind turning up and doing that.
I will save my final judgment for when I have digested and understood more of what each party is standing for, rather than attention grabbing headlines and reading arguments on MN

The suferjets?

Emmely Plankwurst will be spinning in her grave.

I've voted YABU because your post is rambling and makes no sense and you talk about an 'English election' which is just plain wrong.

Also I've just read your last post which includes the classic line: I'm not sure if Australia is run by a dictator

Are you high ? 😂

😂😂😂

Exactly what I was thinking. Why London England? We know where London is.

Wales and Scotland will be voting to - which a genuine distinguished British social commentator would know, and not misrepresent.

The last time I heard any politician described as a jackass was in the US.

I do think it is wrong to feel morally obligated to vote. It gives the illusion that we got what we chose and therefore deserve it.

would you like a hammer to the head or a knife to the throat-vote now.