To think this is an immature approach to voting?

[foreverstardust]

I asked my colleague if she’s voting after work and she replied no “because I’m not informed enough to make a decision”, I politely told her to educate herself as this is a lazy view to have. Not as bluntly as that obviously.

I bet the person concerned uses the NHS on occasions for starters, never mind other public services.

I'm glad we don't have a compulsory vote like Australia. I think it's anti-democratic. I believe that inherent in the freedoms conferred by democracy should be the freedom to recuse oneself from the democratic process if one wishes.

Also I just realised I'm a hypocrite because I don't always vote based on manifestos (manifestoes treat the voters like children anyway). For a good 20 years I voted Labour because when I turned 16, my grandmother very solemnly looked me in the eye (can still see her expression) and told me I should vote Labour because "Tories are for the rich people, Labour are for people like us".

It was only in the later years of the Blair administration when I went into business for myself that I actually started to think carefully and look into different economic policies.

I reckon a fair few people vote tribally and unthinkingly like that.

I appreciate this is super controversial but I think we should have a hypothecated tax for the NHS to promote accountability by NHS management.

Actaully didn't Ed Miliband suggest that at some point? Or David Miliband talked about it as a little thought experiment in an interview? Something like that anyway.

I agree with @CantDealwithChristmas

I am aware of people that voted for Brexit for reasons that were irrelevant, I know people that voted for Brexit for valid reasons but without understanding the full consequences and would change their vote if they could, and I know one person that voted for Brexit because it was a protest vote and they didn't think that it would happen.

This is my 18yo DD.
Actually when you question her she is definitely informed enough to make a decision.
Are you happy with current government?
How much does the environment matter to you?
Do you think all immigrants should be thrown back in the sea?
Where do you stand on woman’s rights?

That sort of thing..

I taught A level Politics for a bit. I leant one way politically and my teaching partner very much the other way. We reckoned there was a balance but actually I made a point of never, ever saying what I thought. If really pushed, I said Green because the students respected that.

I think this is an indictment on how easily people become apathetic when there is so much bluff and bollocks said by EVERY political party. People would be much less turned off if there was clear information that was independently fact checked.

I've been getting into the More or Less podcast where they attempt to review lots of the election claims from each party. No surprise it's all manipulated and misrepresented. It's made me realise that I have much less of an understanding of the actual situation of the economy, NHS etc.

Have to admit I find it so frustrating and I'd be very tempted to disengage altogether if I wasn't naturally interested in politics.

She's not saying that it isn't on her, though, is she? She's not blaming anyone else.

Me and all my friends used to say this in our early 20s

By contrast, I've been very interested in politics pretty much all my life, was always well informed and couldn't wait be old enough to vote. But if you'd been my colleagues when you were in your 20s, I wouldn't have considered it OK for me to tell you, a bunch of fellow adults, to educate yourselves and stop being lazy about voting.

@CantDealwithChristmas you are very right, some people are tribal. My parents and DH parents were the same and I was in my early years.

I've told my children, when it's there time to look at policies, don't talk about politics and decide for yourselves because people are always trying to label you or persuade you, you should have your own mind.

Educate herself on bullshit manifestos filled with lies that will never be realised

Informative thread about the importance of voting even if people end up spoiling their ballots because it reflects the impression of the available choices:

This is for anyone thinking of not voting in the general election tomorrow.

That’s your right, but I just want to make you aware how parties feel about non-voters.

The obvious thing is, “They don’t care what you think because you don’t vote.”

But it’s a bit worse than that

/1
If you don’t vote you are enormously helpful to a well-organised political party.

In fact, something that isn’t really talked about is how being efficient and organised wins you elections.

When I was in the SNP we were masters at this.

So how do you win an election? [cont]

threadreaderapp.com/thread/1808637781138129244.html

If Australians don't want to vote, there's an easy get-out. They spoil their vote.

I don't vote for the same reason as your colleague. I am also relatively blunt....starting to wonder if this post is about me 🙈

I normally do vote and I tried to inform myself before the EU referendum. Could not work out the correct answer so I didn't vote that time. TBH, I thought that Remain would comfortably win, I thought that Leave was just a protest vote. I was pretty shocked when Leave won (just) and it's been a disaster for the UK hasn't it?

I don't think people realised what they were were voting for, the public was ill informed and also lied to about it. If I could go back.... I do feel a bit guilty.

Your colleague should think of the worst outcome and vote tactically to try and prevent that. No party is perfect.

I've read the manifestos, gone to the Hustings, emailed all the candidates. Two of the PPCs know me and I know all the local councillors. I have followed the election very closely. I am very politically aware, engaged and an activist on several issues (feminism, environment, children).

I won't be voting. There are existential reasons why I won't vote for the two main candidates.

But essentially the outcome is same for me as it is for your colleague so YABU. If she doesn't feel informed enough to vote, fair play to her.

Voting once every 5 years is only one way to participate in democracy. There are lots of other ways including lobbying, activism, joining pressure groups, engaging in local projects and raising awareness.

That said, there is a myriad of information about the parties, the candidates, at everyone’s fingertips. In that context, her response is massively depressing; she might as well say, I can’t be arsed to find anything out.

You're assuming everyone has the luxury of time though. Takes a lot of time to wade through the 'myraid of information ' doesn't it? Personally I'm working 50+ hours a week just to keep my head above water. This was a snap election, the manifestos, or rather lies they spout, have only been available a short time and mean nothing anyway since they all go back on their word. I've spent a bit of time trying to find out about my candidates but some of them are unknowns whom I can't find any information on. I've had a brief look at the voting histories etc of the existing candidates but they are extensive and I am short on time, I am still undecided.

In my experience people who try to persuade others to vote are usually actually only persuading people to vote either Labour or Green.

If the woman goes on to vote Reform I'm guessing OP wouldn't want her to use her vote.

Personally I'm happy to let people do what they want and don't accuse anyone of being lazy. Some people have bigger things than politics to worry about. I know when I've been severely depressed I didn't vote and no amount of "but just try harder to care! It affects everyone not just you" would have pulled me out of it.

It is immature but then i think spoiling ballot papers is also immature. It's only on Mn that posters almost gloat about spoiling their papers. I think irl the vast majority of people who bother turning up to vote actually constructively vote. I also think people irl make the most informed decision that they can without resorting to hysteria about women's spaces etc. I don't even think that the average person is aware/ are concerned about that point. I don't neccesarily agree with potentially allowing free rein for biological men to go into female spaces but my vote for Labour hinges on so much more than that.

I left the UK 6 years ago but if I was voting I would like to see a none of the above option and if more than a certain percentage of voters choose it then no one gets elected. I would probably use it unless there was a good independent or excellent party candidate
who I liked

Well if you used to behave like this then surely you understand 🤷‍♀️

It's her choice. People are welcome to vote or not to vote for whatever reasons they want.

And they are allowed to vote for Rishi because he wears nice ties if they want to.

There are an awful lot of people out there that think they know a lot about politics but actually don't. For example a great many people who I have met who are extremely polarised about being pro EU seem to know surprisingly little about how it functions, its structures and the powers it does/doesn't have.

Their reasons for being pro seem to boil down largely because they were "doing all right jacks" while we were in it and don't fancy having to spend longer in passport control. Great reasons indeed.

Welcome to democracy.

It's extremely hard to imagine what social issues you care about that are not in any way affected by government policy. Everything from animal welfare to foreign wars and bin collections are decided ultimately by Parliament. What are these "social issues" that you care about that don't even warrant your desire for change or reform through the ballot box?

My son (aged 15 - and a clear example of why the voting age should definitely not be lowered!) is quite interested in politics. He is VERY black and white in his views and an awesome debater. His school have put on a six week after school session on politics - FOUR people attend.

The teacher declared my son “ridiculously well informed”. He is really not, he has just watched a bit of PMQ and expressed a preference for Lindsay Hoyle as Speaker - and I quote “despite the fact he is Labour”.

I totally agree it should be taught at school as general topic, along with basic economics. Ditch the gender bullshit they teach and replace it with that.

OP - it’s honest at least. And in fairness I have informed myself on all the candidates and parties and I still haven’t a bog’s notion of who to vote for.

There are sites with quizzes to work out who you should vote for. BBC might be one of

I find this so frustrating.
Doesn't vote, but probably complains about the state of the country / NHS / Pay etc...
Researching / reading up on Policies isn't that hard is it, it's just an excuse.

I also hate the "I'm not voting because they're all as bad as each other" excuse.

Such an entitled view to have IMO. My great Grandmother was involved in the protests 100 years ago, to allow women the right to vote.
I feel sad that in 100 years women don't realise how important their voices are.