Gordon to announce 6 May general election - Page 3

Streeteh · 06-04-2010, 15:57

They're all rubbish imo, it's just a matter of choosing the lesser of the evils... god knows who that is though.

What i will say is that we've had the same MP for as long as i can remember, i'm beginning to become disillusioned with voting as i've always voted against him yet year on year he gets back in. I'm beginning to wonder what the point in me voting is, at least until i move out of this area or he kicks the bucket.

EDIT: Just had a look and he's been the MP here since 1997 and the margins show no sign of that changing any time soon. The dude he followed on from, also a conservative, was apparently the MP for this area from 1972 till 1997.

Grandad · 06-04-2010, 16:29

Quote:

Originally Posted by Dee

Last time I voted, I think it was for Geoff Hoon. Seems like an age.

Our new labour candidiate is quite fit though so that may swing it

Can't be worse than Hoon anyway

Muban · 06-04-2010, 17:50

Quote:

Originally Posted by Matblack

The whole tactical voting thing and the 'I'd vote for them as they really represent views, but...........' annoys me. One of the reasons the lib dems struggle is that people feel they can't vote for them because the will 'never get in'.

Voting for a party which represents your views but is unlikely to get in is not a waste as it shows other parties where interest lies and allows them to adjust their policies in the future. The increasing green vote has made the main parties think twice about their policies in that area, if you think they are right then vote for them

MB

Exactly what I was going to say. I really do despair when I hear people saying they aren't voting for their preferred candidate as they won't get in. Well of course they won't if half the people that support them aren't giving them their vote. It's as much voters faults that we have effectively a two party system as it is due to the first past the post method we have for elections (though that is something that should definitely be changed).

I will be voting for who I feel respresents my views best irrespective of what other people are voting. You cant really whine abut the state of the country when you don't bother to vote at all and if you vote for someone just to keep someone else out then you can't complain when (if they get in) they don't respresent your views.

I really should stop sitting on the fence

Haly · 06-04-2010, 18:09

Can't really disagree there, although from what I've seen people always complain regardless of who gets in and whether they voted for them or not

But then I suppose that's why we have the phrase 'It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government will always win'

Like I said, I'll be reading through more policies before I decide anyhow.

It's what I usually do and I've yet to vote in an election where it's been clear cut who I prefer :/ Too little between the main parties of late.

Matblack · 06-04-2010, 18:22

Quote:

Originally Posted by Muban

Exactly what I was going to say. I really do despair when I hear people saying they aren't voting for their preferred candidate as they won't get in. Well of course they won't if half the people that support them aren't giving them their vote. It's as much voters faults that we have effectively a two party system as it is due to the first past the post method we have for elections (though that is something that should definitely be changed).

I will be voting for who I feel respresents my views best irrespective of what other people are voting. You cant really whine abut the state of the country when you don't bother to vote at all and if you vote for someone just to keep someone else out then you can't complain when (if they get in) they don't respresent your views.

I really should stop sitting on the fence

Beautiful and smart Mubs

MB

Grandad · 06-04-2010, 18:50

Not sure about removing the first past the post system, it's not ideal but PR would lead to repeat hung paliaments and nothing getting done

A parliament full of independents would be better with every issue voted solely on it's merits

re the LIb Dems in this respect I am sure they do lose votes due to the current system but I think they are long way from being a credible alternative, they seem to come up with as many barmy ideas as decent ones

Dymetrie · 06-04-2010, 18:55

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandad

PR would lead to repeat hung paliaments and nothing getting done

Which is why both Labour and the Lib Dems are proposing a move to the Single Transferable Vote system.

Much less likely (but still possible) to get a hung parliament.

Although the cynic in me finds it very unlikely that any kind of PR voting system would actually be put in place by a Government in power, because it'd increase their chances of losing at the next election

And complete agreement with avoiding tactical voting!

Kitten · 06-04-2010, 18:57

I just find it difficult to vote for people who I know will lie to me to get what they want, have absolutely no idea what life is like outside of their ivory towers and will doubtless let me down when they get into power. I understand what is being said and I understand that there's good and bad on both sides of the major parties, unfortunately, it's usually the good stuff you voted for that never appears, and the bad stuff that you didn't want that you get in spades. So forgive me for not leaping towards the voting station with a spring in my step and a song in my heart. I honestly don't feel that it matters a jot what I want to happen, because it won't, whether I vote or not. I will be looking at the policies individually, but I suspect yet again it will be the lesser of two evils rather than a positive vote.

I wish there was a party I wanted to vote for, because I'd vote for them regardless of whether I thought they'd get in or not.

Haly · 06-04-2010, 18:58

Quote:

Originally Posted by Grandad

re the LIb Dems in this respect I am sure they do lose votes due to the current system but I think they are long way from being a credible alternative, they seem to come up with as many barmy ideas as decent ones

What sort of barmy ideas do you mean? I've seen policies I don't like from each of the three main parties but yet to see one I'd consider barmy!

Von Smallhausen · 06-04-2010, 19:06

I won't be voting Labour that is for sure.

Unfortunately any other vote in my catchment is almost a wasted one.

Stick a red rosette on a chimp and it will get voted in.

Why can't I have a MILF MP like Grandad ?

06-04-2010, 15:57	#21
Streeteh Vodka Martini Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Kingston Posts: 862	They're all rubbish imo, it's just a matter of choosing the lesser of the evils... god knows who that is though. What i will say is that we've had the same MP for as long as i can remember, i'm beginning to become disillusioned with voting as i've always voted against him yet year on year he gets back in. I'm beginning to wonder what the point in me voting is, at least until i move out of this area or he kicks the bucket. EDIT: Just had a look and he's been the MP here since 1997 and the margins show no sign of that changing any time soon. The dude he followed on from, also a conservative, was apparently the MP for this area from 1972 till 1997. __________________ PSN & Live! ID: Streeteh Last edited by Streeteh; 06-04-2010 at 16:01.

06-04-2010, 18:09	#24
Haly Do you want to hide in my box? Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 14,941	Can't really disagree there, although from what I've seen people always complain regardless of who gets in and whether they voted for them or not But then I suppose that's why we have the phrase 'It doesn't matter who you vote for, the government will always win' Like I said, I'll be reading through more policies before I decide anyhow. It's what I usually do and I've yet to vote in an election where it's been clear cut who I prefer :/ Too little between the main parties of late. __________________ Halycopter

06-04-2010, 18:50	#26
Grandad Old Git Join Date: Nov 2006 Posts: 2,016	Not sure about removing the first past the post system, it's not ideal but PR would lead to repeat hung paliaments and nothing getting done A parliament full of independents would be better with every issue voted solely on it's merits re the LIb Dems in this respect I am sure they do lose votes due to the current system but I think they are long way from being a credible alternative, they seem to come up with as many barmy ideas as decent ones Last edited by Grandad; 06-04-2010 at 18:52.

06-04-2010, 18:57	#28
Kitten Spinky-Spank Join Date: Jul 2006 Location: 668. The Neighbour of the Beast Posts: 11,226	I just find it difficult to vote for people who I know will lie to me to get what they want, have absolutely no idea what life is like outside of their ivory towers and will doubtless let me down when they get into power. I understand what is being said and I understand that there's good and bad on both sides of the major parties, unfortunately, it's usually the good stuff you voted for that never appears, and the bad stuff that you didn't want that you get in spades. So forgive me for not leaping towards the voting station with a spring in my step and a song in my heart. I honestly don't feel that it matters a jot what I want to happen, because it won't, whether I vote or not. I will be looking at the policies individually, but I suspect yet again it will be the lesser of two evils rather than a positive vote. I wish there was a party I wanted to vote for, because I'd vote for them regardless of whether I thought they'd get in or not. __________________ "You only get one life. There's no God, no rules, except for those you accept or create for yourself. Then once it's over... it's over. Dreamless sleep for ever and ever. So why not be happy while you're here?" Nate Fisher Last edited by Kitten; 06-04-2010 at 19:00.

06-04-2010, 19:06	#30
Von Smallhausen I'm Free Join Date: Jun 2006 Location: Tyneside Posts: 3,061	I won't be voting Labour that is for sure. Unfortunately any other vote in my catchment is almost a wasted one. Stick a red rosette on a chimp and it will get voted in. Why can't I have a MILF MP like Grandad ? __________________ " Well, old bean, life is really so bloody awful that I feel it’s my absolute duty to be chirpy and try and make everybody else happy too." David Niven, 1910-1983.