If you're an undecided voter, what are the issues that are stopping you from deciding?

[tomatoesatbreakfast]

As an 'undecided voter', I was watching the Sky News interviews last night and felt myself warming more toward KS. When he started talking honestly about the possible impact on his kids...he suddenly seemed really human, a dad who wanted to pursue this opportunity but wanted to protect his children from the worst of it. However, I'm still undecided.

My politics are usually centre/middle and over the years I've voted Tory and Labour...basically whichever party I felt most aligned with my values.

All I know for sure is that I don't want more of the same and while I am definitely warming to Labour (as well as my local candidate who seems nice) I'm not keen on some others within the party.

I worry that by voting in the seemingly nice people, that it's a door opened to something I can't get on board with. You could equally say the same of the Tories though!!

So I'm wondering if there's any other 'undecided voters' out there (from any side of politics) and what are the issues/policies that are preventing you from being able to make a decision?

This is why I'm voting Social Democratic Party. They know what a woman is but are still left leaning.

I didn't have that option so I spoiled my ballot.

I didn't have the option either so am going for the Party of Women as a protest vote.

I'm a natural Lib Dem leaner but I live in a Tory/Lab marginal. Haven't decided yet if I'm voting tactically for Labour (despite the fact I can't stand Starmer - or the local candidate who's a bit of an arrogant prat) or voting with my heart for the Lib Dems.

There have been some awful CP leaders and serious lapses in judgement but to be fair, the current Gov have been dealt one of the worst hands in history and took over from a very low point (after the last Labour run):

1. Prolonged recession 2008-2013 (much of this coincided with a Labour gov), did not bounce back from until around 2016
2. European debt crisis (Gordon Brown was disastrous selling off gold reserves, flooding the commodity market then having to buy back at huge losses, billions; same again with buying Euros, costing billions, lost our reserves and credit rating!)
3. Brexit - Cameron as PM was a remainer and urged people to vote for Remain (tbh it was old Farage that campaigned for Brexit calling Cameron's hand and forcing a referendum in which people were stupid enough to vote Brexit)
4. Covid (once in a century)
5. Russia/Ukraine
6. Israel/Palestine

For what it's worth, even though with little charisma, Rishi strikes me as principled, hard working and decent. He promised inflation would be down and has delivered. Don't agree with Rwanda or his Brexit stance but I think he's got a good brain on him but needs to look through the ranks and make some better people selections.

As for national service - wish people would have a more global view: this is discussed in numerous European countries so it's something that is likely to be introduced by whoever gets into power.

Conservative are out of the standing for me. I’m leaning towards labour to improve the economy and housing, but I do not like their policies on trans rights and women. Reform is another I am considering because of the effect immigration has had on housing, schools and public services in my area.

Farage was behind Brexit, which has led to a huge influx of immigration. Not from the EU, but from non-EU countries. This has risen by 80%! Non-EU migration surged to 685,000 a record. Due to Brexit!!!

So whoever voted Brexit have themselves to blame really.

And Brexit destabilised Europe and made Putin bold enough to attack Ukraine. Economists predicted this would happen. So Farage is a fool for blaming Europe/Western world and NATO etc when he was an instigator of Brexit which set this in motion.

Interesting. I have always voted Lib Dem (and campaigned for them) but am only voting for them now to get the Tories out. I wouldn't want them in power.I think they have lost the plot.

visionahead
Brexit destabilised Europe and made Putin bold enough to attack Ukraine

More likely to be Joe Biden's show of weakness than anything to do with Brexit:

May 2021
WASHINGTON — The Biden administration has decided to waive sanctions against the company overseeing the construction of Russia's Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline to Germany, despite bipartisan opposition in Congress and appeals from Eastern European governments.

https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/national-security/biden-comes-under-fire-congress-after-waiving-sanctions-russian-gas-n1267975

August 2021
Biden's Afghanistan disaster
https://www.washingtoninstitute.org/policy-analysis/how-russia-stands-gain-thanks-bidens-afghanistan-disaster

Actually, I understand that Putin planned the Ukraine attack before this, even as early as Feb 2021. A weakened Europe, and all the discussions in other European countries about leaving the EU after the UK Brexit contributed. It was one factor out of several, but a significant one.

So people should bear that in mind if they want to vote for a racist, misogynistic party lead by Farage.

visionahead
Actually, I understand that Putin planned the Ukraine attack before this, even as early as Feb 2021

Joe Biden took office 20 January 2021.

So people should bear that in mind if they want to vote for a racist, misogynistic party lead by Farage.

I have no intention of voting Reform myself (I'm a Conservative voter) but I have to ask the question, why Keir Starmer and others were happy to see Seumas Milne appointed as the Labour Party's Executive Director of Strategy and Communications 2015 - 2020 -

The clash in Crimea is the fruit of western expansion - Seumas Milne
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/mar/05/clash-crimea-western-expansion-ukraine-fascists

Far from keeping the peace, Nato is a threat to it
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2014/sep/03/nato-peace-threat-ukraine-military-conflict
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-3298550/Red-handed-Photograph-shows-Jeremy-Corbyn-s-pro-Kremlin-spin-chief-held-Putin-s-iron-grip-propaganda-summit.html

This is so true.

we put in an application to the grid to have a 250kw solar panel system. It would be amazing for the environment and a great use of our land as the livestock we have can still graze under them meaning a double use of land and no taking good land out of production.

However, we were told we could have it but couldn’t export between 11am and 6pm every day as there is already too much green electric being produced in the area.

I’ve just done that vote for policies thing online and it was fascinating. I came out Lib Deb closely followed by Reform, then Green.

Before doing that I would have said my head was Tory, my hear Labour!!

What happened in 2022 goes back to what happened in 2014, and before - multi level.

In relation to national service, your earlier post, this is being discussed in many European countries, but people in many EU countries are against it, and there have been demonstrations on the continent both against escalating Ukraine and also about the fact that 2 percent going into NATO is being taken away from education, housing, etc. Are you saying that anyone who gets into power are going to have pressure put on them to keeping spending money on military and pushing for war? Or that anyone getting into power should simply follow the majority?

Sir Kier has already scrapped the Rwanda plan, reached out to junior doctors to start negotiations, brought Sir Patrick Valance back in to the fold, appointed the owner of Timpsons as minister of prisons (and there is a man who knows what he is talking about). Held a press conference where he talked sense and I for one am glad to have the 'grown ups' back in charge of the country.

It obviously depends on your viewpoint and what matters to you personally but, for me, 48 hours post coming in to office Sir Kier is already doing the right thing in changing the direction of this country, he is a thoroughly decent, professional public servant and not a career politician out to serve his own personal ambitions

This country made the right choice in voting in a Labour government and I am looking forward to seeing the positive changes which will be coming further down the line.

Agreed. I have no particular party affiliation but yes , that sense that "the grown ups are in charge again" is exactly how it feels.

Yes he's making a lot of the right noises - I am cautiously hopeful and delighted that the cabinet is mostly state educated. And some of his appointments look inspired - I really hope people with experience and knowledge are going to be making the decisions. Although a little concerned about David Lammy as foreign secretary (he seems a little hot headed) and Lisa Nandy

State educated but a lot are Oxford alumni and remember state educated also includes grammars.

They aren’t from grammar schools. Someone else said that elsewhere. Even if they were though, what’s the difference? State education. And why shouldn’t people from state schools go to Oxbridge? They get there on merit, without the inherent advantages of wealth and private education. It’s brilliant if they are that clever, surely?

Absolute no reason but they are being disingenuous linking only indi schools to privilege and politics. Oxford alumi have more opportunities just by being Ofxord alumni, which is the same things they vilify private schools for.
Trying to be "oh I'm so normal and WC" whilst shopimg at Harrods and coming from Oxford. It is hypocritical. 1 rule for Labour and another for the rest of us.

But the cabinet members with Oxbridge advantage earned that advantage. Can’t you see the difference?

You can’t buy an Oxford place.

So you are saying that no child from an indi school has ever got anything on merit?

Many kids don't buy a place at indi school either due to scholarships and bursaries

Of course. But then their children will be privileged. That’s how it works. One or two (or more) generations do well, build up their assets, and bingo! Inherited wealth.