Thread: UK General Election

I don't know who I should be rooting for either.

I can't even work out what I think is politically right. I geuinely can't work out what I want a government to do. It all seems. Messy. And complex. Too multi-faceted for me to even begin to feel I can wade in with my opinion and vote on any side without first undergoing an extensive amount of research and political and social educating.

So I am abstaining this election.

Politically I am an indecisive teenage girl.

That sounds hard. You should switch to our dichotomous political system. You don't have to worry about things like actually knowing what you're voting for. You just just pick the color that you think most of your friends and family are picking. Or you can follow the other 47% of the nation and not vote at all. Hurray Americaland!

I'm not voting - mainly because I haven't registered, but also because I don't particularly agree with any of the main parties. I would probably vote lib dem because they seem to be the most liberal (and I am very politically liberal), but I have a fairly cynical view of democracy and I'm therefore reluctant to participate in an election. I know people say that's not going to help, but I just don't want to vote if my heart isn't really in it.

I know some of you aren't voting because you don't particularly agree with any parties, but this will be the case your whole lives . The idea is generally to vote for the lesser evil so that the party you REALLY don't want in power won't be. Also it's important for a country to have a good voter turn-out, or else it shows politicians that the people don't really care or pay attention, and that they can get away with doing stupid stuff. "Lowest voter turn-out in history" is the worst outcome of any election. Sometimes there's even an "abstain" option at the ballots.

Well, since I'm only 16, I can't vote. But if I could, I'd be voting for the Lib Dems. All I've seen for the past couple of years is the Torys bitching about Labour, and Labour bitching back. The discussion show that was on yesterday proved this even further.

Also, since I am brought up in a relatively poor background, I would hate to see the Torys win this election. Their plan (as it has always been) would be to cut benefit money, which would affect me and my family. I also don't plan to vote Labour because they just want to raise taxes, which pushes my situation down even further.

All other partys are minors, especially BNP.

Their plan (as it has always been) would be to cut benefit money, which would affect me and my family.

In my personal experience giving poor people benefits just encourages laziness.

I know one guy who would actually get less money if he went to work for a bit because the government would give him less money. As a result he just lounges around all day smoking weed.

There are plenty of menial jobs out there with which a family could be supported.

I've been there and done that because I needed money for uni. Meanwhile, all the poor kids at school got £30 a week for doing nothing which they blew on CDs and didn't bother to get jobs.

And all the while I was being taxed to pay for these people. How is that fair?

I also don't plan to vote Labour because they just want to raise taxes, which pushes my situation down even further.

All parties will be raising the rate of tax in order to get us out of the hole Labour has dug.

The Tories and Lib Dems certainly will raise VAT to about 20% as soon as they can.

That sounds hard. You should switch to our dichotomous political system. You don't have to worry about things like actually knowing what you're voting for. You just just pick the color that you think most of your friends and family are picking. Or you can follow the other 47% of the nation and not vote at all. Hurray Americaland!

Yeah, the American tendency to harp on about democracy is kinda hilarious when you look at how reduced it is. A or B, nice and simple. Do you have any other elected parties?

I know some of you aren't voting because you don't particularly agree with any parties, but this will be the case your whole lives . The idea is generally to vote for the lesser evil so that the party you REALLY don't want in power won't be. Also it's important for a country to have a good voter turn-out, or else it shows politicians that the people don't really care or pay attention, and that they can get away with doing stupid stuff. "Lowest voter turn-out in history" is the worst outcome of any election. Sometimes there's even an "abstain" option at the ballots.

Good point. Many British people are pretty ignorant though; there were 5 people on the news being quizzed just now and one of them said 'what's a general election?'.

I'll probs vote Tory if I don't make my mind up. They probably have the right ideas on the economy and I trust them to sort out education and things with a no-nonsense approach.

I like the Lib Dems' honesty, and Vince Cable is a good man who has been right about most things. Getting rid of Trident is stupid though.

I also like the Greens because they're aware of the dangers of the coming energy crisis, but I'm not sure about any of their other ideas. They seem too far left.

Originally Posted by Xei

Yeah, the American tendency to harp on about democracy is kinda hilarious when you look at how reduced it is. A or B, nice and simple. Do you have any other elected parties?

There are usually other parties on the ballot but noone ever votes for them.

Originally Posted by Grod

There are usually other parties on the ballot but noone ever votes for them.

Pretty much the same as Britain then.

Which is why people are somewhat surprised that the Lib Dems have become a credible party to vote for against the usual Labour and Conservatives. It was pretty much thought of as a two-party election last time prior to the televised debate.

Anyone, so long as it isn't Labour.

Lib Dems are probably going to win though. And that's fine with me.

I'll be abstaining. I wish I could vote for Labour; Old Labour. A party that was created for working man's representation and actually represented working class interests, not this watered down centre right party that is a disgrace to great men like Bevan, Foot, Benn and Hardie.

British politics has recently, just like our culture, become increasingly Americanized. Its a shame really.

What makes you think Lib Dems are going to win? That silly little show that they put on for us on telly? Nah, the Tories are still favourites to take this one down and then fuck our country up the arse again.

If i could vote, which i wouldnt anyway. I would vote for BNP.
Keep out these lazy immigrants who do nothing all day who marry a white girl have 10 kids and go on benefits. Its disgraceful.

Whilst I agree that benefits are out of control, the Conservatives made a point about not paying people for not working in their budget response.

The BNP are a bunch of crazy demagogues; they really are essentially trying to emulate the politics of Hitler.

If you actually read their manifesto you'll find it has all kinds of dark undercurrents about 'indigenous people' and things. They also want to make Christian prayer in schools obligatory, for example. It's the little things like that which show you that deep down they are essentially just a racist, nationalist, intolerant party, no matter what they say.

I agree with Nick!

Originally Posted by Xei

Whilst I agree that benefits are out of control, the Conservatives made a point about not paying people for not working in their budget response.

The BNP are a bunch of crazy demagogues; they really are essentially trying to emulate the politics of Hitler.

If you actually read their manifesto you'll find it has all kinds of dark undercurrents about 'indigenous people' and things. They also want to make Christian prayer in schools obligatory, for example. It's the little things like that which show you that deep down they are essentially just a racist, nationalist, intolerant party, no matter what they say.

Thanks for the reply, i understand that. I didnt think to dig out the rest of there stuff.

Am I right in saying that Lib Dems need 49% of the vote for Nick Clegg to become prime minster?

No, not really, it doesn't work like that. It's based on seats, not percentages of the vote taken.

Originally Posted by Grod

There are usually other parties on the ballot but noone ever votes for them.

Ending the total mainstream media blackout of all third parties would help a lot. I mean , imagine that, CNN talking about Ron Paul.

That'll be the day...

It sucks that the three main parties have no representation in Northern Ireland, meaning I can't vote for any of them. (Apart from the Conservatives who have some sort of deal with a local Unionist party) I enjoy watching the leaders' debates, but it's annoying every time I remember it doesn't matter who I'd rather have as PM. What's more, most of our local politicians are totally full of shit.

Labour revealed their election anthem:

Just noticed that the poll options for Lab, Con and Lib go red blue and yellow.

Crazy.

Lol, BNP have 15% atm and I thought I was the only BNP supporter on DV

Originally Posted by J.D.

It sucks that the three main parties have no representation in Northern Ireland, meaning I can't vote for any of them. (Apart from the Conservatives who have some sort of deal with a local Unionist party) I enjoy watching the leaders' debates, but it's annoying every time I remember it doesn't matter who I'd rather have as PM. What's more, most of our local politicians are totally full of shit.

Don't worry mate, your not missing out on much. Our politicians are a joke. Not only are they full of shit, as is the nature of politicians; they also lack the exceptional rhetoric and oratory abilities of some of the leaders across the pond. If the so called leader of my country is going to spend 40 minutes saying fuck all, I'd rather he did it in some style.

Election tonight