be completely honest

[noddyholder]

Would you consider not voting?I am for the first time ever

I am not conviced being totally honest and have been appalled by the US style x factor campaign.I am not going to spoil my paper if I go i would vote.i am objecting to the process tbh and as claig said low turn ot is what rattles them most.I have always voted and was involved at uni but am disillusioned.I understand that people died and it is only that that twigs my conscience but I don't want to partake in the whole thing.Watching the TV this last few weeks has made me vomit

Then next time stand for parliament.... If you don't like any of the candidates or any of the parties presented, stand yourself. That's how a lot of people re-engage with politics. Abstaining is not participating.

No, low turnout doesn't really bother the parties, as long as it is people who would have voted for the oppostion who don't turn out.

Did you see Tony Blair in 1997 saying, "Well, we have a whopping majority, but I'm aware that only about 20% (or whatever) of eligible voters chose us, so we're not going to do anything too partisan?"

Once they have the seats, they don't care.

If you like your green council, why not vote Green? If we are in a position to lobby for voting reform this time round, every 'wasted' vote makes a point.

"I actually posted to see if there was anyone who just didn't vote ever tbh but obviously not!"

Ah, but you made the mistake of posting in the 'Politics' section, which all the non-voters have probably hidden

Oh, one more thought on the subject - do you think daftpunk will decide not to vote?

there should IMO be an option to vote for "none of the above." The next best option to that is to spoil your ballot.

I can see why people are disilusioned tbh. Looking at the voter power index site last night it's depressing to see that actually your vote doesn't really count for anything.

We should have a proper voting system like in places like Israel where individual votes are counted and the party with the most votes gets in - none of this voting for your local mp etc..

" it's depressing to see that actually your vote doesn't really count for anything"

Of course it does. The first past the post system isn't perfect but what it does mean is that you're voting for an individual, usually local, to represent your area. A real person. You can go to see them to make things happen that are important to you. Now you may not get the MP from the party you want but that's how democracy works.... the minority have agreed to go with the majority verdict.

In a PR situation your vote would count towards 'someone' getting into parliament somewhere. A list of people selected by the parties. Do you know who your European MP is, for example? It's a fairer system but it's arguably less accountable.

In principle, I think it's disrespectful to the women who died to get us the vote to spoil papers. If you can't be bothered, better not to show up

Just bumped into caroline lucas in the market when I was buying my fruit and veg.She wasn't surprised with my view at all.I quizzed her on electoral reform and she agreed with me so may vote green again.Have you seen Simon Cowell on the front of teh sun AAAAAAAAAh!!!!The green party are praying for a hung parliament it seems so that we might see change.

VOTE GREEN for goodness sake - it matters to them if their vote share drops, people will stop thinking of them as a viable party and vote even less for them in future...

My Dad always said that if you don't vote, you can't complain when the government do things you don't like. That's really stuck with me I can't imagine ever not voting.

The other thing is that the parties couldn't care less about people who don't vote - they only spend time on the ones who vote for someone else. Not voting has zero impact on anything.

agree with wannaBe. A Swiss system with lots of referenda would also be more like true democracy.

So many decent people unhappy with life as it is now - an 80 odd year old grandmother asking about £56 per week pension and the daughter and grandaughter of hard working cleaners on the poverty line in WHITEHALL.

First thought is a definite NO to all this continuing, if it has not been sorted after 13 years.

So what now? Current general theory is to tax and decide how to spend that tax. Change to more community input from individuals should give less expenditure - ie do not miss NHS appts, help police, try to support local school etc.

Someone has to try to break the current vicious circle and kick start a different approach.

They did it during the war and we are now in the middle of a very serious financial war.

Please try to work out the options carefully and not just make a touchy, feely heartfelt decision which may not achieve concrete and lasting change to the fundamentels in this precious land.

noddyholder - if the Greens have a chance of getting in where you live, then Green is not a bad choice. I don't agree with Green policies, but it is still a good vote as it will shake things up, teach the big parties a lesson, and may lead to some real change.