How will you vote if there is a general election?

[nospeak]

Just being nosey... Don't answer if you don't want to. From some of the comments that I have read on threads it seems that even the vomit-inducing BNP are more popular than the tories.

Me first, I will probably not vote. Live in a tory stronghold and it just doesn't seem worth it.

Doesn't matter, my MP is extremely well liked in his constituency, any way I vote he'll still get in.

There are no candidates I feel particularly reflect my views in general elections, Green and SSP tend not to waste money on candidates for them. Lib Dems are against the ID Card scheme, so at a push I'll vote for them. Futile as it is.

I agree with spoiling your ballot if you truly cannot bring yourself to vote for any candidate. We ought to have a "None of the above" box.

It's all very well lecturing about how you should "join a party and change it if you don't like it" if you're lucky enough to have mainstream politics. British politics is so bloody centrist these days that there are quite a few people like me who have absolutely no hope making any party with a realistic chance of power represent more than two of their views. Why waste energy on representation so pitiful?

Perhaps someone might organise an electoral reform candidate in every consistuency in the country? The electoral system could be reformed and then another general election would be called with a voting system that was more democratic. I know the LibDems have undertaken to do this too, but along with a load of other policies. Oh and they would want to go on governing.
It really is an outrage in this day and age that sometimes it is simply not worth voting.

Tory

As (a) they've promised to ditch ID cards and (b) they're the most likely candidate to kick out our totally CRAP labour MP and (c) I strongly believe that regular change of government is best for the health of the country rather than one government getting complacent over several terms.

A more representative voting system would be great, but the only way it's going to happen is if the two parties most likely to lose out to it decide to implement it, so realistically there's absolutely no chance we'll see PR for general elections.

As an aside, I think this NSFW clip sums up my feelings about voting anyway. As true for British politics as it is for American politics.

dizietsma you should probably put a warning that that link isn't suitable if children are around and can hear. Lots of bad language.

I said it was NSFW i.e.- Not Safe For Work, or any other sensitive ears, is that acronym not used here?

dizietsma (Iain M Banks fan?) - it's difficult. I used to face the problem that our constituency MP was well-liked - and that I quite liked her too.

Of all the people I wrote to about our school appeal problem, she was the only one to send a vaguely sensible letter back (admitting that the Govt's Walk To School policy was indeed incompatible with a policy of capping classes at 30 at KS1 and hereby excluding people from local catchments - ha! gotcha!). The rest of them - waste-of-space Kelly and the like - might as well not have bothered. I just got a load of NuLab cut'n'paste bollocks.

But now she has retired so I can vote against her party with impunity!

Sorry, I do know the phrase "not safe for work" from elsewhere (but not acronym version) but really didn't twig the acronym in the context Generally people do comment and say if it's best to make sure children are out of earshot... I can't say that I've seen the NSFW acronym here at all.

Think ill stick with Labour.

Im not convinced by David Cameron and his clan.

Our constituency is engineered so democracy is a total farce - our mp is the longest serving labour mp and so the conservatives don't even bother , lib dems are a joke locally, and the only other option last time was - wait for it - The BNP - I thank god they came last, so hopefully will keep away this time.
I tend to vote for whoever appears to be the most locally connected and capable, so have voted for all 3 main parties in the past in the various places i've lived, and i've no idea how I'll vote this time except I can't abide the present mp.
Lisa x

Don't know.

Have always been a labour voter but they are really beginning to annoy me, nearly (but not quite) as bad as the tories were (spit). Lib Dems will never get in around here, it veers madly from Labour to Tory depending on what the political climate is at the time of the election and it makes no discernible change to anything that actually affects my day to day life, so far as I can see. NHS still falling apart, transport still crap, wars ongoing...

Policywonk's party I like the sound of, but I don't have much confidence in their internal organisation...

(and if you hate the fat-faced Etonian twunt that is DC, a much better facebook group to join is "Stop David Cameron... his lies make Baby Jesus cry" )

I really don't know. Can't stand the selfish Tories - esp. since their announcement on inheritance tax, shows them in their true colours IMO. But seriously object to some Labour policies too. And Lib Dems don't appeal.

Thing is Tories have promised to abolish ID cards... something I am really, really bothered about. Would they actually do it once in office, though? Governments are generally very reluctant to give up power.

Anyway, am in a very safe Tory seat, so doesn't really make a ha'porth of difference.

Lovecat, your lack of faith is entirely justified misplaced. All member contributions will be spent on gin campaign literature.

Two member in only five days! At this rate, we will be able to field a candidate in 2056!

Nospeak. i will be voting Tory.
But you really must vote - agree with Claricebeansmum.

Message withdrawn

lol. That's what i say to the door to door canvassers as well.

So Brown has decided not to call an early election

Tory

Lib Dem cos 'Labour carnt win here. Its a two horse race' Funnily enough after the last conservative defeat by a few vote the tory quit and no one else has taken his place. The Lib Dem chap is really proactive and involved and I would be happy to see him re-elected.

Fine Gael. Not that that's of any relevance to those of you in the UK.

Smallwhitecat
Dont know who used it as an insult but it shouldnt be. More a matter of opinion and experience.

Policywonk, now that there won't be an election for a bit, I think your party could do with raising its profile somewhat.

To that end, I offer myself as Treasurer of the party. I have several failed accountancy qualifications and will be only too happy to embezzle safely look after members' contributions to party funds in my numbered swiss account a secure place.

I look forward to receiving big brown envelopes of cash taxing the rich til they squeak in our new Utopia!

'Labour carnt win here. Its a two horse race'

Do they put that on all their literature??? Though locally it's the Tories that can't win.

Brown has made himself look an idiot! But the Conservatives would be so, so much worse. As I will tell them in any of them ever knocks on my door (wishful thinking)