Northern Ireland election - your vote

[Maminni]

MP elections in NI. Who’s getting your vote?

I can’t decide, waiting to see some manifestos first.

I'm in a 90% Unionist area. For family care/health reasons, I'm on an extended visit "home" (my real "home" is in England). I'm voting on totally local issues, and basically in support of a local that has done (very brave) work here in the community with respect to combatting drugs. Most of the older politicians, and police I might add, have a very hands-off approach when it comes to paramiliary drug feuds for too long. It's hot topic for me personally, because we've had valuable equipment stolen/damaged in recent times.

In England, I'd normally vote Conservative, but this time around they've behaved awfully and fully deserve to be booted out. In addition to a woeful lack of talent, even the best of them look tired. No high expectations for me from Labour though.

General elections are not the occasion to vote on solely local issues.

I'll be spoiling my vote and telling Alliance exactly why, as an ex party member, I no longer trust them to run a bath.

Nobody will know or care if you spoil your vote, it will have no impact on the party. Use your voice wisely and contact your local Alliance MLA with your views + concerns directly

I'll be voting tactically for Alliance, purely to keep the DUP'ers out.

Did you miss the bit where I wrote I'm a former party member? Perfectly aware of how the count is run locally thanks, I've been part of it. And no, pointed responses are read particularly in areas where every vote counts.

Also, if you'd read the thread you would know that Alliance have a policy to refuse to listen to women about women's issues, thanks to Long and Farry.

How do I know? How do you think?

I was going to vote for Claire Hanna but whoever was canvassing for her outside the polling station was exceptionally rude to me. I just said no thank you when she tried to hand me a leaflet and she went off on one.

I went for Kate Nicholl instead.

@@GeorgeOrwellsTurningGrave fully agree on your comments with respect to Alliance and women. Also, turning a blind eye to paramiliaries and drugs in our area. These are important things that impact people's everyday lives.

I think people could possibly hold their nose and vote Alliance if they acknowledged that not everyone agrees with their stance on trans and women’s rights, and while they stand by it as a party, they accept dissenting views among party members, representatives and supporters. For me it’s the complete refusal to even engage with people on the issue that means I cannot vote for them, despite my strong aversion to Green and Orange politics.

I went this morning to vote and was heartened to see a wee bit of a queue despite the torrential downpour at the time. Also thankful that presumably because of said downpour, there were no canvassers to be seen outside at all so it was a peaceful walk in and out.

When I was getting checked off the list, the lovely lady said to me that my son (age19) had been in bright and early at 8am and she was so encouraged to see one so young so engaged. That was nice to hear.

(edited for typos I realised after submitting post)

I see Ian Paisley Jnr. has lost his seat!

Pity it went to that eejit Jim Allister, but I am glad Paisley's out!