The Forthcoming General Election

[Jo]

I understand the "not voting" stance in principle, but it doesn't make sense in purely pragmatic terms. Like it or not, the country has to be governed by someone, unless you believe in anarchy. So if you can't find a party that completely matches your ideals, then surely you just have to go for the least worst option, don't you?

Otherwise, what do you think is going to happen - parties will be worried about low turnouts and will amend their policies accordingly?? I don't think so

[Vièr Bliu]

In the States do you have compulsory voting a la Suisse or Proportional Representation (which I read into your post) or first-past-the-post?

Multi-member constituencies. Senatorial voting is for six candidates per election, so voters have six Islandwide votes; first six past the post. For Deputorial elections, the small rural constituencies are mostly single-member, but the more populated, generally urban, districts are multi-member - the largest having four members (and therefore four votes per voter; first four past the post). Tactics complicate matters, in that voters do not have to use all their votes, and "plumping" gives an advantage to a favoured candidate if you don't want to use your whole slate (you plump by only voting for one candidate).

The multi-member, multi-vote system does mean that voters can pick and choose (give him a vote because he's got a business background, give him a vote because of the environmental campaigning, give her a vote because she married my cousin's neighbour, etc.). It gives a female candidate an advantage in that many people will automatically include a woman in their slate of votes (provided female candidates are outnumbered by male candidates).

When not standing myself, I've done election counting. It's quite fascinating to see the voting patterns of split votes and plumpers emerging as the count progresses.

More info on how the other half votes: http://www.sthelier.je/electoraloffice/

[jhopgood]

Typical.
I leave the UK to return to Spain the day before the elections, not that I could vote anyway, as I have been out of the UK for too long.
Chatting to some Valencian friends of mine yesterday, they were complaining that it would be good to be able to vote for someone who would take the constituents' views into consideration, rather than blindly following the party line. Difficult here, as the Spanish vote for a list rather than the individual candidates.
They are totally disillusioned with both of the main political parties, who seem to be both corrupt and incompetent.
No-one seems to know where to make the protest vote, except by abstention, which won't persuade anyone to change.

Seems to be a familiar story wherever democracy is in place these days.

Everyone seems to have the energy to complain, but not to get off their butts to do anything about it.

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

Well --- at last the Gun has fired --- and I was trudging the streets, in the afternoon, delivering leaflets.
My" Political Persuasion" decided to get in with a "Flying Start" Whoopee !


(----My PP -- you would never guess --- but we were Whigs !!!!!!!)

[Katharine]

I hadn't realised that we had had boundary changes. Now I live in Dwyfor Meirionedd, where the Plaid candidate had a notional vote of more than 50% last time. It really does make me wonder about 'safe seats'. Is it really worth the other parties spending in such constituencies?

When we were in Malaysia they had inherited the first past past the post system and in several seats there was no contest. At the time I was horrified that the people had not been given the chance to register a vote there. Now I begin to wonder whether it isn't a more rational use of money.

[J.R.]

I hadn't realised that we had had boundary changes. Now I live in Dwyfor Meirionedd, where the Plaid candidate had a notional vote of more than 50% last time. It really does make me wonder about 'safe seats'. Is it really worth the other parties spending in such constituencies?

When we were in Malaysia they had inherited the first past past the post system and in several seats there was no contest. At the time I was horrified that the people had not been given the chance to register a vote there. Now I begin to wonder whether it isn't a more rational use of money.

It's an old ploy. When voting statistics start to go against the ruling party in a specific area, then change the boundaries.

It's also know in Management circles as 'Moving The Goalposts' !

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

BOTH !!!

[Mid A 15]

An article about Swing (and I don't mean the King of Swing Benny Goodman or those Sultans of Swing Dire Straits) by Old Blue and You gov boss Stephan Shakespeare

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/theto ... swing.html

a further follow-up:

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/theto ... gers-.html

EDIT: Please do not assume because I am supplying links from Conservative Home that I will be voting Conservative.

However, credit where credit is due, sometimes the site has articles of general political interest and I hope these are enjoyed by forum members and visitors.

[midget]

Today I met someone fuming with rage because she has just received a card saying "you have chosen to have a postal vote"
"Oh no I haven't, " she said, and tried to ring the "help" line if she wants to change the apparent choice. Needless to say she was unable to get through, and she has a week to alter things.
Is this a ploy to get people to have postal votes, which to my mind is inviting all sorts of fraud. In the good old days I believe you deeded to be infirm to get a postal vote and as for proxy voting!!!!!!!!
I remember someone at school telling me that in the "khaki" election in 1945, an old man in her village had a proxy vote for his son, who was waiting to be demobbed. "He said to vote Labour, but I ain't voting for none of them rubbish, he'll be voting tory like any normal person"

[englishangel]

I think even if you have a postal vote you can vote in person, as indeed you can if you have a proxy, as long as you get to the polling station before the proxy.

[J.R.]

I didn't watch the debate.

I'm sick of reading about it in the papers.

Now that I've seen the list of candidates for the Mole Valley constituency, I've already made my choice, and no amount of waffle, lies, false promises and innuendoes is going to change my mind !

[NEILL THE NOTORIOUS]

No Bribery ? JR ?
I was actually told by my GGFather, that he remembered the practice of taking a cart, containing a barrel of beer, collecting "Prospective" Voters.
As children, we thought this was a splendid idea, but since he was a STRICT Teetotaller, and a Rechabite --- he strongly dis-approved !

What say you JR ? ----- would it not add to the Election Day interest ?

[J.R.]

No Bribery ? JR ?
I was actually told by my GGFather, that he remembered the practice of taking a cart, containing a barrel of beer, collecting "Prospective" Voters.
As children, we thought this was a splendid idea, but since he was a STRICT Teetotaller, and a Rechabite --- he strongly dis-approved !

What say you JR ? ----- would it not add to the Election Day interest ?

I suppose that might sway me, slightly !

My wifes Nan and Grand-Dad were always picked up to vote by the Tory Candiates courtesy-car. All smiles and politeness to the driver, then went into the polling station and voted Labour !

[Mid A 15]

Just remember if you ask me any question at all that I don't like you are a bigot!

Got it?

[Foureyes]

Not strictly to do with the election, but....
Question. Why do so many people take an instant dislike to Lord Mandelson?
Answer. It saves time.