To be a secret Tory voter and feel embarrassed about it?

[SecretToryVoter]

I’ve just gone to do my vote and had to admit to myself that I’m one of those secret Tory voters and would be embarrassed to admit it to friends / family!

A month ago I was adamant that I would be voting Labour but ended up changing my mind for a number of reasons

1. Keir seems to have a number of grand ideas of what he wants to do but no substance behind how he’s going to do it (where is he going to find an additional 6,500 teachers as just 1 example)
2. Womens rights
3. my Labour candidate has been helicoptered in and doesn’t look good on paper whereas the Tory candidate is a local, well respected councillor
4. Tory policy is closer to my values overall

anyone else had to admit to themselves that they are a Tory at heart for this election?

I thought about voting Tory for the first time ever because I don't want the Lib Dems in opposition but I couldn't bring myself to vote for either of them.

I can't vote Tory, even if I wanted to, because my local candidate has been deselected by their party due to corruption. Says a lot really.

I mean "super majority" isn't a thing in UK politics. It is amazing that Grant Shapps has convinced people it is.

I'm not so sure that's the best advice tbh. There should be room for robust debate as long it's respectful. If everything is pushed into the shadows, how will people consider others viewpoints? It's of course up to anyone who they vote for, but if you're never forced to question your views (and the same goes for the other side of course), it's not beneficial for democracy as a whole imo.

I work in a lefty liberal world. I don’t disclose my voting within work as it would be career suicide. But I vote Conservative. I strongly suspect my director does too- but we never mention it.

I live in a Conservative stronghold (rural, farming) so no issues admitting it there.

Well Tories don't like sharing anything do they? Not resources, food, money or good fortune, why would information be any different?

On the one hand, it's better than voting for Reform. On the other, it's a bit like choosing between gonorrhea and syphilis.

I'm concerned that Shy Tory Syndrome is going to be a thing again, and it isn't as in the bag as people think it is... I despair.

We discuss it in the house. They know who me and their father are voting for (different parties at that)

But let’s face it there are die hard supports in all sides who would cut you clean off because they are say labour and your conservative. Better to not discuss it than ruin a perfectly good friendship over wankers in government 🤷🏻‍♀️😅

Numbers still matter, whatever you call them.

Absolutely this!!

And yet if you say you’re going to spoil your ballot or not bother they also pile on about ‘women have died so you can vote’. Apparently women fought for our rights so we can only vote one way, and that one way ironically goes against the rights we fought for 🤪

Social media has created an environment where voters are judged and shouted at (on forums like this) for having differing views. We should be able to maturely accept we all have differing experiences and perspectives. I didn’t vote conservative (our mp is awful) but I respect others who do because I’m proud to live in a democracy. As soon as you start talking down to those who vote differently, it’s an attack on democracy and I cannot support that.

I don’t think the conservatives will do as badly as predicted because a lot of their voters are like you and keep it private. Don’t be embarrassed, you’re entitled to be discreet.

Although I don't want the Tories in power I also voted for them.
I live in a Labour constituency so my vote makes no difference either way. I wanted to support my local conservative candidate so that's why I voted for them.
But yabu because you shouldn't be ashamed of who you vote for.

They do and a government with a big majority finds it easier to get things done (see the 1997 Blair government) but we work on a simple majority in the UK. Super majorities are not a thing.

Ime, Labour voters go wild when anyone suggests an alternative vote choice, calling them thick/simple etc.

Why cos it’s naughty but nice 🙄 let’s hope you like the rest of their policies.

You should be ashamed of yourself.

I think you should own your choice.

If you want more of what the Tories have given us over the last 14 years, why not just say that and articulate what it is that you value. Yes, others may judge you for it, but so what...as long as your choice is aligned with your own personal values, why would it matter?

I'd be embarrassed too. Anyone who can have witnessed the behaviour of the party members just throughout COVID (not even including all the subsequent vile behaviour) and then still vote for them has got something fundamentally wrong with them. Being ordered not to hold our loved ones hand while they died, while they themselves were quaffing Champaign, having parties and laughing at us was sick beyond belief.

Because it gave me the same 'sticking it to the man' vibe I used to get from voting AGAINST the Tories. That's how insane the world is today.

I think people can’t fathom why you’d vote for the current government. They’ve acted abysmally and you’re giving them the green light and saying ‘hey go ahead, give me more of the same ‘…

I disagree, I think it’s a pretty dead cert that Labour will win and they will win clearly. Will it be the absolute massacre of the conservatives is another matter, depends how many people actually jumpy to Reform. But it’s true, many people don’t want Labour and for all those hoping for a new government tomorrow, it must be slightly soured by the fact it’s not because they’re the best option but simply because they’re not another few years of Conservative.

But discussion in the home can be something of an echo chamber. And a friendship that's lost over an election wasn't much of a friendship in the first place imo (unless for a nazi type party or something). I really don't think squashing discussion is a great idea in general.

But why ? Their values are very different. Hey ho, let’s hope you like it as much when we leave the ECHR. Or your kids are drafted into National Service.

Didn’t take long for the op to be picked apart, told she should be embarrassed and what not did it…

The lovely oh so lovely labour supporting population pushing everyone else to stay silent voters 🤐