Eugene's Lair posted:Kaytee posted:Although I agree Baz, for me I have to vote,having hammered into my daughter that women had to struggle so hard for the vote that it is my duty to exercise the franchise. On the other hand I don't think I can vote for any of them either, I can foresee a spoiled ballot paper with something incredibly rude written across it when I finally get into the voting booth😍😍
Well, I've spoilt my ballot paper on a couple of occasions, but that was because of the election rather than the candidates. (This was the Police and Crime Commissioner elections, which I object to on principle. I wasn't the only one: there were over 2000 spoilt papers in my town alone!
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However with regards candidates, the one thing I would suggest is to remember (and remind your daughter) that you're not primarily voting for a party or a party leader, but for an individual to represent you in Parliament. Look into who's standing in your constituency, find out what their personal viewpoints are (not just their party manifestos) and speak to them if possible. I've certainly been in the position in the past where I couldn't bring myself to vote for the party I wanted to because I knew their candidate was untrustworthy and had gone back on promises she'd previously made to her constituents.
I think the point of electing an individual is particularly important at the moment, given the moves in certain quarters to purge their parties of dissenting voices and differing opinions.
My town has two MPs, both Conservative. However when it comes to Brexit, one voted Remain, while the other voted Leave, which I thought rather interesting. I don't know yet if both will be standing at the next election, though...
I take your point Eugene, but this constituency has always fluctuated between Lib Dem and Tory,by a very small majority every time in both council and Parliamentary elections.I do look at the man or woman standing....but they never seem to field anyone worth having because of this flip flopping. It is a remain constituency by a small margin, I expect it to remain that way this time too depending upon those who voted for the Brexit party last time vote tactically this time.I suppose I'll have to see which way the wind blows at the time