Compulsory voting?
10 February 2015, 11:26 PM
#61
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Let me put this to you: when those who vote have their votes counted, those votes WILL decide directly (or indirectly if a hung parliament, but nowt we can do about that) who next will govern this country. The Government will be a 'box' on that ballot paper. It may be that one finds little to relate to in any of the party manifestos, but they are different and ultimately one manifesto will be less disagreeable than the others. And on that basis, better that one votes for the least bad than nothing at all.
Do you know the last time that a party manifesto was voted for by the majority of voters?
At every election in living memory the majority have voted against the winning party.
THAT'S THE ISSUE THAT NEEDS FIXING!
Last edited by Martin2005; 10 February 2015 at 11:40 PM.
11 February 2015, 12:31 AM
#62
If somebody doesn't want to vote (be it apathy, laziness, or whatever other possible reason) how would forcing them be a real benefit? None of the above would still be the equivalent of not voting, just recorded on paper, if that option would even be included. I'm perhaps being stupid, but I really am missing the point.
If such a large portion of the voting public aren't bothering to vote, politicians really need to properly get out there and find out why, and address that, rather than legally forcing them.
11 February 2015, 03:24 AM
#64
No worries then I'll vote for Miliband 
You can treat it with all the contempt you like, but it does not change the fact they are all the same and this has been proved over the last 35 years beyond any reasonable doubt.
Put simply they are lying cheating self serving pigs at the trough who don't deserve my vote or me even stirring to get off the couch and come and spoil my ballot paper.
When they do something for the genuine good of the country rather than the good of themselves, when they stick to major manifesto promises, when they stop fiddling their expenses, when they stop wasting our money on illegal wars and stupid public enquiries only needed because of their ineptitude and that only ever conclude with the phrase 'lessons will be learned', when they stop trying to buy the popular vote with the promise of referendums that will never happen, when they implement ****ing Leveson like they promised... well then I'll get off my backside and vote for one of them! Until then they can go and stick their ballot papers where the sun don't shine and I don't mean Manchester!
You can treat it with all the contempt you like, but it does not change the fact they are all the same and this has been proved over the last 35 years beyond any reasonable doubt.
Put simply they are lying cheating self serving pigs at the trough who don't deserve my vote or me even stirring to get off the couch and come and spoil my ballot paper.
When they do something for the genuine good of the country rather than the good of themselves, when they stick to major manifesto promises, when they stop fiddling their expenses, when they stop wasting our money on illegal wars and stupid public enquiries only needed because of their ineptitude and that only ever conclude with the phrase 'lessons will be learned', when they stop trying to buy the popular vote with the promise of referendums that will never happen, when they implement ****ing Leveson like they promised... well then I'll get off my backside and vote for one of them! Until then they can go and stick their ballot papers where the sun don't shine and I don't mean Manchester!
I have voted 3 times out of the 10 or so that I have been eligible to do so, nothing to do with being lazy.
Strangely I have voted once for each of the main parties, so it shows I have no real political allegiance, I do however posses a political ideology and have been conned 3 times.
I think, there for I am, not voting.
11 February 2015, 03:38 AM
#65
Let me put this to you: when those who vote have their votes counted, those votes WILL decide directly (or indirectly if a hung parliament, but nowt we can do about that) who next will govern this country. The Government will be a 'box' on that ballot paper. It may be that one finds little to relate to in any of the party manifestos, but they are different and ultimately one manifesto will be less disagreeable than the others. And on that basis, better that one votes for the least bad than nothing at all.
"Least bad" God give me strength, they're all as bad as one an other, to call them ******* pigs at the trough, is an insult to pigs by offering a comparison, at least with pigs you know what your getting, there is no level of depravity that a person with political ambitions will not sink too.
Just wanting to be a Politician should automatically disqualify you from being one, same with the Police, Lawyers, Judges and Estate agents.
Last edited by ditchmyster; 11 February 2015 at 03:40 AM.
11 February 2015, 09:04 AM
#66
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Anyone that votes for a party and policies they don't support is an IDIOT.
"Least bad" God give me strength, they're all as bad as one an other, to call them ******* pigs at the trough, is an insult to pigs by offering a comparison, at least with pigs you know what your getting, there is no level of depravity that a person with political ambitions will not sink too.
Just wanting to be a Politician should automatically disqualify you from being one, same with the Police, Lawyers, Judges and Estate agents.
"Least bad" God give me strength, they're all as bad as one an other, to call them ******* pigs at the trough, is an insult to pigs by offering a comparison, at least with pigs you know what your getting, there is no level of depravity that a person with political ambitions will not sink too.
Just wanting to be a Politician should automatically disqualify you from being one, same with the Police, Lawyers, Judges and Estate agents.
I presume you are honest as the sky is blue. But all politicians are depraved, amongst other things no doubt.
I am voting Conservative by the way. Not because they are the least bad, but because generally speaking I agree with the direction they are taking.
11 February 2015, 09:38 AM
#67
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Exactly.
If somebody doesn't want to vote (be it apathy, laziness, or whatever other possible reason) how would forcing them be a real benefit? None of the above would still be the equivalent of not voting, just recorded on paper, if that option would even be included. I'm perhaps being stupid, but I really am missing the point.
If such a large portion of the voting public aren't bothering to vote, politicians really need to properly get out there and find out why, and address that, rather than legally forcing them.
If somebody doesn't want to vote (be it apathy, laziness, or whatever other possible reason) how would forcing them be a real benefit? None of the above would still be the equivalent of not voting, just recorded on paper, if that option would even be included. I'm perhaps being stupid, but I really am missing the point.
If such a large portion of the voting public aren't bothering to vote, politicians really need to properly get out there and find out why, and address that, rather than legally forcing them.
But it absolutely is not the same as not voting. Take for example 100 people who don't vote and all you have is.....well 100 people who didn't vote. Take those 100 people and make them vote and some will vote for a party and some will put "none of the above" .
There are many many people who have a opinion and direction as to who they would vote for but.....just don't.
So forcing people, a bit different from voting but l was listening to someone talk yesterday about quotas for black and female people on TV. My first reaction was that it is a wrong but as they continued they explained that to allow the system to change at a natural rate it would take 100 or more years to achieve what can be done in a short time.
We don't want to force people to do anything but it's already part of our everyday lives to be made and forced to do things for the benefit of society.
Making people vote will get those who have a opinion but don't bother to be heard and for those who don't it will create a culture of voting.
11 February 2015, 04:49 PM
#69
And you hint that I am an idiot?
I presume you are honest as the sky is blue. But all politicians are depraved, amongst other things no doubt.
I am voting Conservative by the way. Not because they are the least bad, but because generally speaking I agree with the direction they are taking.
I presume you are honest as the sky is blue. But all politicians are depraved, amongst other things no doubt.
I am voting Conservative by the way. Not because they are the least bad, but because generally speaking I agree with the direction they are taking.
You presume correctly.
11 February 2015, 11:22 PM
#70
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As a after thought, we are made to go to school for about 12 years(ish) and although I haven't been paying much attention l think that more compulsory education is on the way if not here already. 
The point is we are "made" to or "forced" to get educated for 12 YEARS, stopping off somewhere for 5mins on the way to the shop isn't to much of a stretch.
There are other examples but my brain only works for about 5mins a day at that rate and it used up most of my ability, i've go to save some for breathing now.
The point is we are "made" to or "forced" to get educated for 12 YEARS, stopping off somewhere for 5mins on the way to the shop isn't to much of a stretch.
There are other examples but my brain only works for about 5mins a day at that rate and it used up most of my ability, i've go to save some for breathing now.
12 February 2015, 01:01 AM
#71
We don't want to force people to do anything but it's already part of our everyday lives to be made and forced to do things for the benefit of society.
Making people vote will get those who have a opinion but don't bother to be heard and for those who don't it will create a culture of voting.
Making people vote will get those who have a opinion but don't bother to be heard and for those who don't it will create a culture of voting.
You say about a culture of voting. I'd say many people nowadays are quite used to voting, often for meaningless **** on TV or awards etc. so I don't think the problem is just as simple as the act of voting in itself.
Leading on from that point, I'd apply that too, to this group you think are there that have an opinion but don't bother to exercise it. There is a (or more than one) reason why they don't turn out. This is what needs to be addressed.
Simply making people do something out of fear of some sort of punishment (a fine presumably) doesn't suitably get to the bottom of why they are not doing it willingly, and that should be the aim. Maybe in some cases it is just simple laziness, and forcing them would make them get up and do it, but I'd guess a lot of people don't vote because they don't really know enough about politics and what different parties have to offer (it's often difficult as so many just spend time attacking another rather than actually getting on and saying clearly what their own intentions are), they feel disillusioned by what is on offer so on. If those people feel that way, them turning up and voting 'none of the above' achieves little more than no vote.
To bring in compulsory voting, in my opinion, would be yet another case of the powers that be failing to actually get to the root of a problem. People should want to use their right to vote, and for them to feel it means something, not be forced to do it.
12 February 2015, 02:10 AM
#72
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Lisa you make good points and may well be correct. l on the other hand may be wrong, its just my opinion.
I don't believe it is about putting fear into people, its just about getting people to contribute to society much the same as getting people to go to school and follow other rules and laws. l see this no more controlling as lots of other parts of life in the UK.
You talk about a system where people will want to vote and there is a willingness to vote. That sounds great to me, im just not sure how the different parties are going to stop fighting between each other long enough for them to put themselves in the firing line and be different.
By making people vote the parties will have to address the needs of ALL instead of pandering to the older voters thus making fairer policy for all.
So think of it this way, you're the government and it has just been made the law that everyone over 18 has to vote. They will be very aware of the fact that some people that don't normally vote, will be stepping up to vote, and no matter what people put, the potential of what they could put, IMO would be enough to scare parties into doing a better job.
I don't see it as just a way to get people to behave, its about getting the political parties to behave and consider all.
There is obviously more that needs to be done to improve the system and compulsory voting whether it be a good idea or not would only be part of any solution(s) we need to make things better.
I would also like to add that the argument of disillusionment IMO is just a cop out, get voting people. There are differences to the parties and no matter how small or large that may be we should all vote. We cant just keep saying its their fault we don't now enough about politics, we are just using the same blame culture that they use and only backs up why people need to be in some cases forced to do things, people are very irresponsible at times IMO.
I don't believe it is about putting fear into people, its just about getting people to contribute to society much the same as getting people to go to school and follow other rules and laws. l see this no more controlling as lots of other parts of life in the UK.
You talk about a system where people will want to vote and there is a willingness to vote. That sounds great to me, im just not sure how the different parties are going to stop fighting between each other long enough for them to put themselves in the firing line and be different.
By making people vote the parties will have to address the needs of ALL instead of pandering to the older voters thus making fairer policy for all.
So think of it this way, you're the government and it has just been made the law that everyone over 18 has to vote. They will be very aware of the fact that some people that don't normally vote, will be stepping up to vote, and no matter what people put, the potential of what they could put, IMO would be enough to scare parties into doing a better job.
I don't see it as just a way to get people to behave, its about getting the political parties to behave and consider all.
There is obviously more that needs to be done to improve the system and compulsory voting whether it be a good idea or not would only be part of any solution(s) we need to make things better.
I would also like to add that the argument of disillusionment IMO is just a cop out, get voting people. There are differences to the parties and no matter how small or large that may be we should all vote. We cant just keep saying its their fault we don't now enough about politics, we are just using the same blame culture that they use and only backs up why people need to be in some cases forced to do things, people are very irresponsible at times IMO.
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