Baz posted: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!
)
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...
Good point Eugene .....although in these febrile days I’m not even sure that is true . The way many politicians ....including those in the Labour heartlands.... seem to have thrown some of their constituents under a bus doesn’t give me much confidence that what I vote for is what I would get. So, unless there is a miracle, I think that for the first time ever I will be joining Kaytee and spoiling my ballot paper .
Yes Baz, MPs on both sides of the Brexit debate who voted against their constituents because they obviously feel that they know best should be deselected , they are elected to serve those who voted for them not themselves