Active discussions

Meet the Other Phone. A phone that grows with your child.

Meet the Other Phone.
A phone that grows with your child.

Buy now

Please or to access all these features

Talk
Brexit
Original poster

I've abstained, have you?

137 replies

TooMuchMNTime · 23/06/2016 11:33

I went through my dithers here
I've opted to abstain

obviously I will just accept the result without comment!

Just curious to know if others have abstained?

OP posts:
ThatsMyStapler · 23/06/2016 12:13

I'm all about choice, but really not bothering to vote is not really on

Go and spoil your paper if you dont agree, but do SOMETHING - your voice should be heard, even if its just a disagreement. If you dont do anything then its a complete waste

If you dont vote, you have no right to complain either way

I spoilt my paper on the police commissioner votes as i didnt agree with it

hels18 · 23/06/2016 12:15

Please, please vote, and don;t spoil the ballot paper.

If you would like a change, vote OUT. If you would not like a change, or don't know right now, vote IN.

BeginTheBeguine · 23/06/2016 12:15

It isn't entirely pointless counting - you're still added to the turnout.

So of there was a turnout of 60% but half had chosen to spoil their ballots there would be a strong message there - if only the 'positive' 30% turned out it would just be a really poor turnout.

TheUnsullied · 23/06/2016 12:16

Women didn't die to create an obligation for other women to vote. They died to give other women equal voting rights to men...a choice. Stop trying to shame the OP.

Original poster
TooMuchMNTime · 23/06/2016 12:16

Thats "If you dont vote, you have no right to complain either way"

I wasn't going to complain either way

I will go and spoil my paper at lunchtime then. Weird, but I guess a new experience for me!

OP posts:
Cheeseinthetrap · 23/06/2016 12:16

TooMuch, I know 2 abstainers, both Remain voters, in the end they simply felt they couldn't make such a big decision and didnt want to feel at fault when things inevitably regardless of who wins starts to go wrong, it's nothing to be strung up for, it's your choice.

And yes I'm relieved Grin 😂

PresidentCJCregg · 23/06/2016 12:17

I don't understand; don't you think about the wider implications for the entire country? It's not all about me, my job, my future.

ThatsMyStapler · 23/06/2016 12:18

People will complain if the result is not what the thought it should be (even if you dont personally)

I really believe that if you really dont know then you must spoil

Original poster
TooMuchMNTime · 23/06/2016 12:21

CJ - of course. That's partly why I can't pick a side, though it's more complicated than that.

however...if I was on minimum wage and struggling I'd choose for me, my job, my future and I think that's fair.

OP posts:
helpbuyingahouse · 23/06/2016 12:24

Remember that our forebears fought for the right to vote. Abstention is not a word in my vocabulary . If you are unsure vote for the status quo, vote Remain.
Please get up and vote

SemiNormal · 23/06/2016 12:29

I haven't abstained but I don't understand the hatred of those who do choose to. Your choice and I respect that.

DontDeadOpenInside · 23/06/2016 12:32

I was in the out camp then became unsure then back to out then last night changed my mind again and this morning was still undecided. I went to vote anyway and put my cross in remain. It was fear of the unknown if we leave.. better the devil and all that I thought. Dh was the same.

DontDeadOpenInside · 23/06/2016 12:33

Sorry for horrific first sentence. Blush

claig · 23/06/2016 12:35

Sad to hear you are abstaining TooMuch, because you made some great points for Brexit. But if you are not sure, then that is fine, you have to do what you think is right.

I hope the Project Fear of the Westminster crew didn't get to you. But you have to do what you think is right and if you can't decide, then that is fine.

Original poster
TooMuchMNTime · 23/06/2016 12:36

Dont', that's interesting because I hear about people changing their minds in the booth but no one I know has actually said that to me - they might have done it of course!

I don't get the hatred for not voting tbh, I was not expecting this reaction. I've voted all my life but I've never complained about others not voting.

OP posts:
RitchyBestingFace · 23/06/2016 12:40

I don't get the hatred either OP. Women died so we would have the RIGHT to vote. Different thing. Abstain if you like - it's your right.

Alternatively ask someone who can't vote and vote on their behalf.

girlinacoma · 23/06/2016 12:41

I totally understand actually why people may choose to abstain today.

You only have two choices - unlike a General Election there is no middle ground.

This whole thing has been a fucking shambles to be frank and if you genuinely don't know which way to vote today, despite extensive research then why on earth would you pick one or the other option?

girlinacoma · 23/06/2016 12:46

And a vote to remain is not necessarily 'maintaining the stays quo' either.

Many in support of Brexit are looking past the issues of Turkey and immigration and instead are looking at the long term future of the EU which looks shite from where I'm standing

Vango · 23/06/2016 12:50

This whole thing has been a fucking shambles to be frank and if you genuinely don't know which way to vote today, despite extensive research then why on earth would you pick one or the other option?

Abstaining on its own won't make that point to anyone. Writing something similar on your ballot paper will at least be counted.

KittyCatKittyCat · 23/06/2016 12:52

I'm still unsure and was planning to spoil my vote, because I feel that corruption will still be an issue in or out. Out - more opportunity for it to run rampant, and I do feel there still is a lot of corruption with how things currently are and high levels in many EU countries (more complex layers of it). Too many politicians in business' pockets to make a clean choice. Hate the whole bloody thing even though I know so much of it brings benefits to my life and those of others.

UptownFunk00 · 23/06/2016 12:53

Live and let live.

It's a citizens right not to vote as well as to vote.

PolkadotsAndMoonbeams · 23/06/2016 12:53

See Vango I would say I abstained because I wrote 'abstain' on my paper.

I didn't realise people said they'd abstained when they just didn't turn up...

wispaxmas · 23/06/2016 12:57

If you're undecided a remain vote makes most sense! Not voting! Argh!

In definitely annoyed by abstainers today- it's not the same thing as a general or local election, it's not something temporary, it is a vote to FUNDAMENTALLY CHANGE our country.

Peppatina · 23/06/2016 12:59

My friend was originally going to spoil her ballot paper because she thought the referendum shouldn't be happening then went to Remain but has just put on facebook that she voted Leave while she was in there.

It's a rollercoaster Grin

Vango · 23/06/2016 12:59

Polka I took the OP to mean that abstaining meant not voting. Apologies if I'm wrong. I'd class yours as a spoiled vote though, and an example of democracy in action. The electorate is often accused of being apathetic. Spoiling a vote sends a message at least.