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Original poster

Fed up of snp. Won’t vote Tory.

139 replies

museumum · 16/04/2021 18:51

What do I do?

I’m actually quite ambivalent about independence and can see pros and cons on both sides. But I fear the snp will always be in power unless we do get it.

I feel they’ve been in power long enough without delivering on equality poverty or education. At the very least I’d like to see them with a far smaller majority.

But who the hell can I vote for? It feels like both Labour and Lib Dem are lost causes.

I’ve never felt so disengaged Sad

OP posts:
forfucksakenett · 21/04/2021 17:08

I completely understand why people are feeling like this but I think people trying to dress up a vote for Tories, particularly the current Scottish Tories, as if it's an act for the greater good and is sneer-worthy to be honest.

Of course if folk are Tory and proud then fair enough but there's something really off about this whole 'I hate the Tories but...' thing.

Waitwhat23 · 21/04/2021 17:12

At this point, I don't feel I can vote for any of them. Does anyone know if there is any point at all in spoiling my ballot - does it get read or are protest vote counted in some way or is it just pointless?

Scottishskifun · 21/04/2021 17:14

@Waitwhat23

At this point, I don't feel I can vote for any of them. Does anyone know if there is any point at all in spoiling my ballot - does it get read or are protest vote counted in some way or is it just pointless?
It's pointless but you can vote for your local independent. If they get over a certain number they get their admission fee back. DH has done this a few times when he hasn't liked any of them!
Scottishskifun · 21/04/2021 17:15

As in independent candidate BTW!

WouldBeGood · 21/04/2021 17:21

I’m not doing it for the greater good.

I’m thinking of doing it to try to have a more balanced Parliament.

forfucksakenett · 21/04/2021 17:26

@Waitwhat23

At this point, I don't feel I can vote for any of them. Does anyone know if there is any point at all in spoiling my ballot - does it get read or are protest vote counted in some way or is it just pointless?
I think it's probably pointless although I very much understand the need to express your disappointment and dissatisfaction!
WouldBeGood · 21/04/2021 17:35

@Waitwhat23 spoilt ballots are counted.

sparkysdream · 21/04/2021 19:39

Does anyone have any thoughts on Laura Marshall on the NE Scotland list as an independent? She seems to have a decent stance on women’s rights. Not a lot to go on, and probably zero chance of election though, so would that be a wasted vote? I’ve never resorted to looking at independence candidates before but thinking it might be that or spoiling my ballot.

Scottishskifun · 21/04/2021 19:54

@sparkysdream

Does anyone have any thoughts on Laura Marshall on the NE Scotland list as an independent? She seems to have a decent stance on women’s rights. Not a lot to go on, and probably zero chance of election though, so would that be a wasted vote? I’ve never resorted to looking at independence candidates before but thinking it might be that or spoiling my ballot.
Looks OK for a first vote but supports Alba for second vote (going by twitter account). So depends on your views on independence referendum really!
Waitwhat23 · 21/04/2021 20:12

Thank you for for answers and particularly to @Scottishskifun, that's interesting about the independent candidate option.

Given how many people I have spoken to who intend to spoil their ballot, it will be interesting to see after the election as to whether there was a huge surge in spoiled ballots and whether any commentator will look to investigate why that was.

leeds2glasgow · 21/04/2021 20:12

Same.

StarryEyeSurprise · 21/04/2021 20:16

I've just been reading that the (Scottish) Tories will cut income tax for higher earners and the IFs have said that if they do this, there won't be enough income to fund their pledged spending on the NHS. Oh, and the MSPs will save themselves over £1,300 a year.

WouldBeGood · 21/04/2021 20:26

That’s not right @StarryEyeSurprise

seeingdots · 21/04/2021 20:28

I was considering voting for Laura Marshall @sparkysdream.

She's a regional candidate so she would be the second (list) vote though. I've still no idea on the constituency vote.

Scottishskifun · 21/04/2021 20:28

@StarryEyeSurprise

I've just been reading that the (Scottish) Tories will cut income tax for higher earners and the IFs have said that if they do this, there won't be enough income to fund their pledged spending on the NHS. Oh, and the MSPs will save themselves over £1,300 a year.
Which will be small change compared to the cost of another independence referendum and potential independence waggling divorce...... 😉 Just putting some perspective into it!

I'm not voting Tory but come on when NS can't even say how much it will cost to run another independence vote or any of the economics.

BettysCardigan · 21/04/2021 20:36

@Waitwhat23

Thank you for for answers and particularly to *@Scottishskifun*, that's interesting about the independent candidate option.

Given how many people I have spoken to who intend to spoil their ballot, it will be interesting to see after the election as to whether there was a huge surge in spoiled ballots and whether any commentator will look to investigate why that was.

Well it might make a vaguely interesting opinion piece but the outcome is still only decided on the votes people actually cast. The smaller the pool of people that is, the less reflective the government will be of the electorate.

Spoiling a ballot paper always seems like such a futile action to me.

StarryEyeSurprise · 21/04/2021 20:38

Their manifesto also includes a ' protection of free speech ' bill.

May aswell just call it the gammon charter.

WouldBeGood · 21/04/2021 20:41

I’m very much for the protection of free speech.

It seems a strange thing to be against.

Scottishskifun · 21/04/2021 20:54

@StarryEyeSurprise

Their manifesto also includes a ' protection of free speech ' bill.

May aswell just call it the gammon charter.

😂 Are you catching up on your reading of the National Starry? 😉
StarryEyeSurprise · 21/04/2021 20:55

I'm all for free speech . A fine balance between free speech and stopping hate crimes though. Not sure Mr Ross is the best person for this.

WouldBeGood · 21/04/2021 20:57

I’ve seen it all when SNP supporters are openly against free speech.

StarryEyeSurprise · 21/04/2021 20:57

Ha ha, no but away to now @scottishskifun!

Waitwhat23 · 21/04/2021 21:05

@BettysCardigan I agree with you that it's all about votes cast but there may well be a huge surge in spoiled ballots (and therefore a smaller number of votes per candidate). It would be surprising (or maybe I'm being overly optimistic!) if no- one in Government wondered why that was.

forfucksakenett · 21/04/2021 21:14

@WouldBeGood

I’m very much for the protection of free speech.

It seems a strange thing to be against.

Yes but it seems to have become shorthand for 'I want to be able to say horrible racist shit with no repercussions' ... see Katie Hopkins, Laurence Fox, Tommy Robinson, Donald Trump, Fox News reporters, etc etc.
forfucksakenett · 21/04/2021 21:15

@StarryEyeSurprise

I'm all for free speech . A fine balance between free speech and stopping hate crimes though. Not sure Mr Ross is the best person for this.
Exactly.