I've abstained, have you?

[TooMuchMNTime]

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?

It isn't vacuous to be wavering, given how much is unexplained or unpredictable it is probably the most intelligent response. It is best to try and make a decision and vote though, because many others will and a decision will be made no matter how complex the issue.

I know a family of four, none of whom re intending to vote. My opinion of them has gone down considerably.

This is the most important vote for 50 years and everyone should vote.

But it's still counted mollie and does indicate that you've been bothered to take a view.

Just to be clear, I have always voted and never spoiled a paper. I voted to Remain this morning.

Hopefully though it will make a move towards if we have to have a referendum having an 'abstain' option.

If you had a large turn out, but actually more people said they didn't want to have to choose between the options than actually voted in a positive way it would be a big thing. It would say that perhaps the government are asking the wrong question, or giving the wrong options.

And mollie I feel you've taken my quote slightly out of context there as it was a response to the pp who said why choose one over the other if you don't have enough information (paraphrasing there - on phone!).

Agree with president Post - this is bigger than me, me, my job, my this/that. This is about what is best.
His is about what is best for all of us.
This is HUGE.

This whole thing has been a shambles.

I wanted to vote:
I don't wanna stay
I don't wanna leave.
Where's the box for that?

But atleast I have actually voted.

I am going to vote though I haven't decided what yet.

I wasn't going to vote. Because although I've read a million different articles, all peoples Facebook shite, watched some of the coverage etc... I still can't decide

I'm gonna have to decide when I get there.

It doesn't bother me that you don't want to vote though. You don't have to.

Women did die to get the right to vote, but you also have the right to abstain. I hate it when people say oh women died for your vote. No they didn't.

Women did die to get the right to vote, but you also have the right to abstain. I hate it when people say oh women died for your vote. No they didn't.

So Milkyface are you saying that those women died for us to have the right not to use the vote they fought and died for?

I think they died for equality and choice, the same choice everyone has no matter what their gender.

I am going to vote, but have never been more tempted to spoil my paper.

I wish I could vote "Remain, but only just, and because we can vote Out at a later time, so don't take this vote as a vote of confidence for the Remain Campaign, Mr Cameron".

I always thought abstained meant they didn't vote tbh, I am surprised how many people think it means, go and draw flowers on your paper.

I think responses are getting muddled up but to be clear, I'm not the poster who said something about what their DH thinks .I don't have one.

I haven't been to spoil the paper btw. Still time to vote out.

They campaigned for 'the right to vote' as well as the right to education, equality in the workplace, divorce etc.

'Still time to vote out.'

You know what's right. You argued well for it all along.

OP, I'm with you for various reasons.
I have voted in a couple of generals and locals in the past, but this isn't for me.
I don't think it matters what the result of the people's vote is tbh and better things to do with my time today.
For those who are annoyed at me, well that's your right I suppose as it's my right to be gob smacked at how many sheep there are voting because they follow the crowd.

I walked bloody miles (45 mins) each way with a 2 year old in tow even though our pushchair was being repaired just to vote, abstaining is annoying

TheImpossible - is it safe to assume you didn't do that to spoil you paper?

I'm starting to feel sick now and I haven't even had any lunch.

TheImprobableGirl, from the level of passion you showed, I take it you were a Leaver. Is that on the money?

ah, see, I interpret from that level of passionate that Impossible is a remain.

"how many sheep there are voting because they follow the crowd."

whatever you do in life you are almost definitely following a crowd of some sort
do you wear clothes?
do you have a phone?
do you use the internet?

you're only following a crowd by posting on mumsnet.....

So to insult a large group of people by saying you're only voting to follow the crowd is quite insulting.

Those who dont bother to vote are lazy (theres me generalising)

I'm now wondering if any one else has voted out with the knowledge it will knock out their job.

Everyone should vote. Your voice is as important as the next persons.
They all keep saying "if you vote leave you will never get back in" Nonsense.
My concern is that if you vote remain, we'll never get another chance to leave!

You're not "abstaining". You're just "not voting". Some systems have an "abstention" option. The UK doesn't.

With this referendum abstaining is more or less voting leave because we can never go back.

The advice is to vote remain if you are not sure

I don't see a problem with not voting if you honestly don't know which way to go.

I do see a problem if you are strongly one way or the other but still can't be bothered to vote.