Best way to register a protest vote?

[AIstolemylunch]

What's the best way for someone that having see all the manifetos now can't vote for any the mainparties?

One - Cross through all the boxes on the right and write 'NO VOTE' across names - so they know it's a specific no vote and gets recorded as such, rather than as 'voter intention unclear'

Two - Don't go out to vote so contribute to 'historic low voter turn out' to indicate disatisfaction with all the main parties, and indeed British politics today as a whole?

Three - Vote for an independent (if standing)?

It’s really difficult- I don’t want to vote for any but there’s not many standing.

Our local MP is very good though, she’s Conservative so I either vote for her because she is actually good despite the fact that Sunak makes me want to vomit or I spoil ballot.

There’s only “proper parties” standing so I cant do Monster Raving.

I am livid though that there’s no decent party.

Hopefully all the major political parties and/or constituency MPs that realise that they have been elected by a very small actual percentage of the electorate/their constituency.

I don't see how anything will ever change/improve under the current system unless the views of, or the fact that there are a significant number of, people who don't want any of the main parties in control are bought to wide attention.

I don't ever remember hearing about so many people feeling they have no one to vote for before?

Extremely unlikely to happen but I wonder what would happen if ever a massive majority of votes were spoilt? Like 80% or something. Would it call into question the legitimacy of a government and lead to another election, with different candidates and or policies?

I wrote this on my local election ballot paper. Will probably do the same on 4 July.

My Labour MP is likely to get her seat again with a higher majority but although she is a good constituency MP I disagree with her on certain major issues.

The person who counts your vote won’t care at all.

why not vote green and maybe do some good instead?

What changes do you think Labour (or any other party) will make in response to a low turn out in this General Election?

If they're in power, they'll push ahead with their manifesto.

Spoiling your ballot achieves absolutely diddly squat, apart from giving you a brief satisfying moment as you leave the polling station, like picking a scab.

Sorry, OP, I am sympathetic. Just vote for the closest one to the policies you want to see, even if it's only 20% or something. But do vote.

The space for the next UK Government to make big changes is really limited. Even Keir Starmer just spoke about this with the manifesto launch - "no rabbit out of the hat"

Step back and think - what are the concrete changes you want to see that none of the parties are offering in this GE - and then realistically, how can they be achieved? The parties aren't mind readers and neither are they magicians. We need ideas and engagement - not pencil-messages to some volunteer counting ballots who won't even read it.

No, I don't think I will do that. There isn't even a 'closest one'. Its Loony of spoil for me.

I think knowing you have been elected on extremely dodgy foundations would have some sort of influence - maybe small and undetectable at first.

OP, please can you elaborate - what do you mean by "elected on extremely dodgy foundations"?

Sounds a bit like the Donald Trump playbook to me, delegitimizing before the elections even take place

I'm not interested in writing messages. I am interested in data. Surely they have to record, and publish, clear 'NONE' votes, as well as votes for each candidate?

No to the Greens if this continues to be their stance 'The party also supports making it easier for trans people to change their legal status without the need for a Gender Reassignment Certificate (GRC).'

Well it hasn't happenned yet, and probably won't, so I can't really elaborate. I'm just wondering aloud whether being elected on a compartively small voter turnout, or with a significant number of deliberate 'NONE' votes, gets accurately recorded and reported up to central government, and hence which is the best way to record my voter frustration. And how big a chunk of data would it need to be to have an influence on government decision making, eg voting reform.

No a vote for none is just a spoiled paper. Yes they are counted but unless there are extraordinary numbers no one will pay any attention

You're really missing the point here. It's not about the person counting the votes.

This is something I had not thought of. We have an MP with a tiny minority and he's pretty good, even though I disagree with him politically. Whereas in our neighbouring constituency, huge majority, they never even see theirs.

Spoiled ballots are not turned into data that is presented to the new Government, no.

I think the number is read out by the local polling officer on the night, when they read out the results, ("plus, we also counted 5 spoiled ballots") but it certainly isn't counted, compiled, analysed at regional or national level, and it certainly won't inform policy.

There are much bigger issues that inform policy - like the economy, environment, foreign affairs. And then medium, and then smaller issues. The number of spoiled ballots doesn't even make the list.

So it's a waste of time. Just vote, even if it's only a small overlap with the sort of governance you want to see.

And so the status quo continues. I'm not voting for any of the main parties as there is no small overlap.

The turn-out for the 2019 election was almost 70%.

I think turn-out for this one will be even higher.

There is no indication that whoever wins will be winning on "extremely dodgy foundations" so please don't say this. Democracy is on shaky enough ground as it is with all the US claims of vote rigging, and the Tory push bringing in photo ID!! Whoever wins will hopefully win on very solid ground indeed with a strong mandate from the people.

absolute tripe. They (you) will not have a strong mandate from the people at all. Just like Brexit didn't.

OP, kindly, get off your arse and do something about it then!

We need ideas! We need action! We need people to get involved.

What are the policies you want to see and how shoud the next Government pay for them? I'd love to hear it!

It's so easy to just moan from the sidelines, and not be specific!

And as I quite clearly pointed out, I have not said "whoever wins will be winning on "extremely dodgy foundations"" (although i am perfectly free to do so in a democracy). I am wondering how bad politics has to get in this country before that will be the case and whether my voting actions can help contribute to driving change.

The person counting the votes is the only person who sees it. Spoiled votes aren’t counted.

That is categorically not true, nice try.

Protest vote? there isn't one.. don't vote and they will ignore you... see it in by elections, candidate X wins on 37% turn out and its all "a decisive message to the Govt...."

Spoil the ballot and you'll be ignored for the same reasons above.

Better off voting Reform, they are all scared of that lot.....

I disagree - Our men and women around the word fought for "freedom."
"Freedom" in WW1 & WW2 to given people a choice. Therefore, IMO, one should be able to exercise the right to vote or not to vote. We do not live in a socialist or communist state where one can be sent to prison for not voting

Back to the OP

In our area, I can't see anyone decent t vote for. I'm undecided aTM but wont vote tory/lab/reform/libs etc nor an extremist rep.

Therefore to register my total dissatisfaction with the love of them ie the leaders, I'm in two minds as whether to abstain from exercising my democratic right and just not vote, or alternatively go to the polling station and write on the ballot paper
"You are all lying little B's." or something else that is to the point!!