[bots]

Originally Posted by Cherie

If you don't vote then you can't complain that is my view anyway, even if you are voting for someone who does not have a cat chance in hell in winning or if you spoil your vote in protest you should be voting...

by not voting, people are also exercising their democratic right .... people seem to forget that

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

by not voting, people are also exercising their democratic right .... people seem to forget that

I'd say spoiling the paper is making more use of democracy, as even spoiled ballots get counted.

An official "none of the above" says more than a no-show.

[Livia]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

I'd say spoiling the paper is making more use of democracy, as even spoiled ballots get counted.

An official "none of the above" says more than a no-show.

Although... I was at a count where someone had drawn a cock and balls next to the Tory's name and as there was no other mark on the paper we claimed it as a vote...and the returning officer accepted it. So if you're going to spoil your ballot, make sure you make a thorough job of it.

I think everyone should have to vote even if you do spoil your ballot. It's a civic duty like jury service.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Livia

Although... I was at a count where someone had drawn a cock and balls next to the Tory's name and as there was no other mark on the paper we claimed it as a vote...and the returning officer accepted it. So if you're going to spoil your ballot, make sure you make a thorough job of it.

I think everyone should have to vote even if you do spoil your ballot. It's a civic duty like jury service.

Finally an explanation for how the Tories managed to be in power for so long!

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

by not voting, people are also exercising their democratic right .... people seem to forget that

sure but then dont complain about the outcome....err Brexit

[bots]

Originally Posted by Cherie

sure but then dont complain about the outcome....err Brexit

i voted in the brexit vote because my vote actually counted. Where i live, it is the 2nd most safe tory seat in the country, so there is literally no point in voting. If they lost, i would laugh my head off, but for that to realistically happen, the tories would need to be down to there last couple of seats, which would mean labour had wiped them out

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by smudgie

.
I will be voting.
Mayor is easy, he has done great things since he was elected. Therefore he has our vote.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and assume you don't live in London

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

i voted in the brexit vote because my vote actually counted. Where i live, it is the 2nd most safe tory seat in the country, so there is literally no point in voting.

In that case, maybe Tory voters will complacently think there's no point in voting. Maybe some disillusioned Tory voters will vote another way. Maybe enough people have since turned 18 who wouldn't vote Tory.

[user104658]

Originally Posted by Oliver_W

In that case, maybe Tory voters will complacently think there's no point in voting.

This is half the reason Brexit happened in the first place. People didn't realise the implications, didn't even bother to look into it, let alone vote... 'cos the "Remain" team at the time were highly complacent and passed on that complacency to the public. People thought "leave" simply wasn't going to happen, so didn't get out of bed to vote.

[Oliver_W]

Originally Posted by Soldier Boy

This is half the reason Brexit happened in the first place. People didn't realise the implications, didn't even bother to look into it, let alone vote... 'cos the "Remain" team at the time were highly complacent and passed on that complacency to the public. People thought "leave" simply wasn't going to happen, so didn't get out of bed to vote.

Quite.

I daresay that people who "want change" are more inclined than those who don't - those who voted for Brexit would have wanted the UK to leave the EU, and these people outnumbered those who either didn't care(/vote), and those who wanted to Remain; and those who, as you say, didn't bother because they complacently believed the voted would be for Remain.

So I'd say it's within the realms of possibility that similarly, Labour could just squeak through due to complacency and enough people wanting A Change(tm).

[Cherie]

Originally Posted by bitontheslide

by not voting, people are also exercising their democratic right .... people seem to forget that

yeah thats fine but you have exercised your choice to have no voice, so you cant really comment going forward