I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.

If a few million more had voted remain maybe this whole brexit mess never even starts.

I understand people not wanting to vote and I sort of agree but I feel that if you’re going to ‘waste’ your vote, better to ‘waste’ it by voting for none of the big parties and on some obscure party instead. That’s exactly what I did for the last GE. Can’t even remember what the party I voted for was called but I was making a statement that I was unimpressed with all the main parties. They weren’t getting my vote because they’re more or less as bad as each other (scandals, breaking promises, not listening to the people) and equally inept. Look at what a joke British politics has become.

People also need to get out of this mind frame that they have to vote for one of the two ‘big’ parties because nobody else has a realistic chance of winning.

I would absolutely love it if the public abandoned the major parties. Yes, it might throw Parliament into a bit of disarray (although it’s pretty bad as it is) but it hopefully, and I say hopefully, might give MPs of the main parties the kick up their backsides and a wake up call to actually do something right for a change and genuinely put the people of this country first. Stop the stupid squabbles with each other and get your stuff together.

comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 6 minutes ago
comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 1 minute ago
I didn't vote in the referendum because I didn't believe everything that was being said and didn't feel that I was well enough informed to make a proper decision.

Does that mean that I can't complain about the clusterfeck that Brexit has become?
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Fundamentally yes, you didn't put yourself forward to make a decision that has major impacts on your life cause you didn't bother researching.

And in a vote that was so close every vote counts.

The idea that you have a right now to complain, but never took the opportunity to make a difference is selfish.

This is how politics and democracy work ffs.
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Firstly, I did research. I just didn't believe everything that was being presented. Which was proven to be correct.

Secondly, the mess that Brexit has become is a completely different subject to what I did/didn't vote in the referendum.

comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 2 minutes ago

I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.
-----------------

Unless no-one is offering the policy/policies that you feel strongly about. Or unless you don't believe that the policies will actually be delivered.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Talks about democracy, but tries to silence people that use their democratic right to abstain. Kneerash, ladies and gentlemen.
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Well I haven't, it's an option open to you but then you've silenced yourself in trying to make a change you see as positive.

comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 58 seconds ago

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Talks about democracy, but tries to silence people that use their democratic right to abstain. Kneerash, ladies and gentlemen.
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Well I haven't, it's an option open to you but then you've silenced yourself in trying to make a change you see as positive.
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I don't know. If we all abstained then it would send a message to the (main) parties that none of them really represent the people/masses.

Anyone who disagrees with me can you tell me how you then think you can make a differemce? I'm not having a pop here it'd your right to decide not to vote, but seriously how do you change anything if you don't?

The system has many flaws of course but it's the system we're all part of, this isn't changing anytime soon so your only real voice is to vote.

I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.
———
But again, this is stll ballacks. There are hundreds of constituencies around the country where votes are meaningless due to being labour and tory strongholds.

Many don’t vote as a result, because they know it has no impact. They cannot change policy.

The idea that these people cannot then complain about a government enacting policy that they don’t agree with is just daft.

I know you haven’t, because it’s not possible for you to silence people. My point is you want to silence people that don’t vote, while preaching democracy, which is anything but democratic. Which is why you sound like a priiiiick.

I'm hoping there will be some tv debates in the run up to the election. Want to see Boris and that chicken Corbyn going head to head.

comment by Elvis (U7425)
posted 36 seconds ago
comment by kneerash-23 Cara Gold (U6876)
posted 58 seconds ago

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
Talks about democracy, but tries to silence people that use their democratic right to abstain. Kneerash, ladies and gentlemen.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Well I haven't, it's an option open to you but then you've silenced yourself in trying to make a change you see as positive.
---------------

I don't know. If we all abstained then it would send a message to the (main) parties that none of them really represent the people/masses.
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That's a fair point but I'd counter that yes you may have reduced the overall number of votes the main party receives you've not really made any difference cause these parties will still get votes, would need to be a massive number of abstained votes to make a significant impact to one of the main parties policies.

A mass of people abstaining would be huge but who would or could coordinate such a thing? And would the party that won overall really care?

Again I'll say the system has many flaws.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 44 seconds ago
I know you haven’t, because it’s not possible for you to silence people. My point is you want to silence people that don’t vote, while preaching democracy, which is anything but democratic. Which is why you sound like a priiiiick.
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That's cool mate you have your opinion I have mine but if you don't vote you've not tried to change what you feel is wrong and therefore don't deserve to moan and moan cause you didn't try to make a change.

If you are a taxpayer then you are a key stakeholder whether you vote or not. The right to complain is then valid either way.

Tell me how you think you can make a differemce if you don't vote? It's pretty much the only way you have to influence politics in your country.

Why be so annoyed with the government in power when given the opportunity to make a difference you didn't take it?

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 3 minutes ago
I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.
———
But again, this is stll ballacks. There are hundreds of constituencies around the country where votes are meaningless due to being labour and tory strongholds.

Many don’t vote as a result, because they know it has no impact. They cannot change policy.

The idea that these people cannot then complain about a government enacting policy that they don’t agree with is just daft.
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Acting the maggot here Darren more than anything but surely if the "many" got out and voted differently they could possibly initiate change?
Its similar over here with cants voting for a particular party because well my father always voted for them so I am going to.

Some MPs can get in with around 40% of the vote in the constituency. I'd suggest that to win you need to at least get 50% of the vote in that area otherwise most have voted for their rivals. Maybe a transferable vote system would be fairer?

comment by Hod idol the x factor - Mo's posh tin set... (U5117)
posted 1 minute ago
If you are a taxpayer then you are a key stakeholder whether you vote or not. The right to complain is then valid either way.
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But by voting your having an influence on how you feel your taxes should be used.

Are you saying that you'll happily pay tax but then not try to influence how its used? That makes no sense to me.

But I’ve not said I won’t vote. And you still sound like a priiiick.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 6 minutes ago
I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.
———
But again, this is stll ballacks. There are hundreds of constituencies around the country where votes are meaningless due to being labour and tory strongholds.

Many don’t vote as a result, because they know it has no impact. They cannot change policy.

The idea that these people cannot then complain about a government enacting policy that they don’t agree with is just daft.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Which is why as I said above, people need to get out of this mindset. It’s defeatist.

Comment deleted by Site Moderator

Irish, how? The many that abstain are not one voice with one view, so ‘going out and voting’ doesn’t mean anything.

comment by Irishred (U2539)
posted 55 seconds ago
comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 3 minutes ago
I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.
———
But again, this is stll ballacks. There are hundreds of constituencies around the country where votes are meaningless due to being labour and tory strongholds.

Many don’t vote as a result, because they know it has no impact. They cannot change policy.

The idea that these people cannot then complain about a government enacting policy that they don’t agree with is just daft.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Acting the maggot here Darren more than anything but surely if the "many" got out and voted differently they could possibly initiate change?
Its similar over here with cants voting for a particular party because well my father always voted for them so I am going to.
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This is my point irish and you've nailed the main problem we have over here.

I see too many people say ah what's the point in voting but then will moan away about the government, it baffles me why someone would not vote but will happily complain about the government.

If you don't vote that's fair enough, everyone has their own reasons but we've next to no influence on the policies that dictate our lives bar voting.

comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 2 minutes ago
But I’ve not said I won’t vote. And you still sound like a priiiick.
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Why do I? And why the need to keep calling me a priik? I'm voicing an opinion on why to vote, you're just saying I wont and calling me a priiik, how about you actually give some reasons as why not voting will make a differemce to your life?

comment by 1 Father - 1 Love - 2 Reds (U13312)
posted 1 minute ago
comment by Mason The King Greenwood (U10026)
posted 6 minutes ago
I do get the idea of abstaining to vote and of course everyone has that right, but in doing so, to me anyway, you are denied the chance to try change policies you don't agree with through the political system.
———
But again, this is stll ballacks. There are hundreds of constituencies around the country where votes are meaningless due to being labour and tory strongholds.

Many don’t vote as a result, because they know it has no impact. They cannot change policy.

The idea that these people cannot then complain about a government enacting policy that they don’t agree with is just daft.
----------------------------------------------------------------------
Which is why as I said above, people need to get out of this mindset. It’s defeatist.
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Exactly