As you'll all be aware, the UK government is in deep, deep trouble right now, and it's getting worse with the elections. So I thought I'd organise our own election.
You also have the right not to vote if you wish.
The Garden Railway Forum Election.
The Garden Railway Forum Election.
Last edited by Matt on Fri Jun 05, 2009 8:16 am, edited 1 time in total.
Garden Railways-best hobby in the world.
How about "None of the above"?
Tony Willmore
Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works: http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhosHelygLocoWorks
Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works: http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhosHelygLocoWorks
????-
MoelygestLR
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Then we can run it properly!! -
SillyBilly
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Not one single one, no.Matt wrote:So there isn't a single party out there that you like?
I vote for different parties for my MP, my local councillor and my MEP, but that is all down to where I live. If I lived in England, I would probably vote for one party for all three posts.
The "none of the above" box would allow people to register a vote to say that they were unhappy with all of the candidates and their policies. While it is true that not voting could achieve the same, it can also be interpreted as (a) apathy, (b) content with what we have, or (c) a protest against what we have - depending on your view point. To be able to say that X% of voters are unhappy with all candidates might send some of them a clear message.
A lot of countries have compulsory voting (see http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Compulsory_voting) and that might be a good idea in the UK provided that "none of the above" is given as an option, or you are allowed to spoil or remove your ballot paper.
Making election votes secret would be good too, as they can all be traced at the moment. Your voters reference number is written on your polling paper so how you voted can be traced quite easily.
Tony Willmore
Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works: http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhosHelygLocoWorks
Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works: http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhosHelygLocoWorks
Ok, so you say you don't like any of the parties. What then? What good will that actually do? Do you seriously expect that off the back of that someone will set up a party whose views you agree with? Or you want an entirely new political system?
If the latter, I'm sorry to say that I have very little patience with those who say "the whole system's corrupt, we need a new one!" (Especially if they only do so in light of the expenses scandal...but that's a separate issue.) Our democracy isn't perfect, but it's the best we have. You can either sit there and whinge about it, or you can make the best of it by participating in it. Now of course, you're not going to find a party whose views match yours exactly, unless you stand as an independent candidate yourself. But that's the nature of parties. No two people think exactly the same way, so parties have to reflect slight differences of opinion. But you have to look at the big picture. I know I'm broadly right-wing, so I support the Conservatives. I may not agree with everything Cameron says, but I do agree with most of it. Furthermore, when I (finally!) turn 18 I intend to join the party and have my say. Yes, the influence of one member alone is just a drop in the ocean - but without any drops there would be no ocean. If you decide you don't like any of the big parties, take a look at the smaller ones. If you're a dissaffected Old Labour supporter, for example, try Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party. I'm sure he'd welcome you with open arms.
Furthermore, parties aren't the only way to participate in democracy. If you feel really strongly about a cause, join a pressure group. They do have an influence - witness the spectacular success of the anti-smoking lobby in recent years, for example.
"I don't like any party" is not an excuse. Everyone has the chance to participate in democracy - so if you don't like it, do something about it. The Germans lost faith in their young democracy in 1933. Look what they ended up with.
If the latter, I'm sorry to say that I have very little patience with those who say "the whole system's corrupt, we need a new one!" (Especially if they only do so in light of the expenses scandal...but that's a separate issue.) Our democracy isn't perfect, but it's the best we have. You can either sit there and whinge about it, or you can make the best of it by participating in it. Now of course, you're not going to find a party whose views match yours exactly, unless you stand as an independent candidate yourself. But that's the nature of parties. No two people think exactly the same way, so parties have to reflect slight differences of opinion. But you have to look at the big picture. I know I'm broadly right-wing, so I support the Conservatives. I may not agree with everything Cameron says, but I do agree with most of it. Furthermore, when I (finally!) turn 18 I intend to join the party and have my say. Yes, the influence of one member alone is just a drop in the ocean - but without any drops there would be no ocean. If you decide you don't like any of the big parties, take a look at the smaller ones. If you're a dissaffected Old Labour supporter, for example, try Arthur Scargill's Socialist Labour Party. I'm sure he'd welcome you with open arms.
Furthermore, parties aren't the only way to participate in democracy. If you feel really strongly about a cause, join a pressure group. They do have an influence - witness the spectacular success of the anti-smoking lobby in recent years, for example.
"I don't like any party" is not an excuse. Everyone has the chance to participate in democracy - so if you don't like it, do something about it. The Germans lost faith in their young democracy in 1933. Look what they ended up with.
By "Not one single party, no" I did not mean that I do not like any of the parties. I meant that I choose who I vote for based on how well I think they will benefit the area in which I live and my own circumstances, as explained in my posting. If there was an election today for MP, MEP and councillor I would vote for three different parties.MuzTrem wrote:Ok, so you say you don't like any of the parties.
I'm sorry if my wording has caused a misunderstanding.
Voting is important, which is why I rambled on about compulsory voting. In my view it would be a good thing.
Tony Willmore
Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works: http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhosHelygLocoWorks
Rhos Helyg Locomotive Works: http://www.rhoshelyg.me.uk
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/RhosHelygLocoWorks
It's a shame that you can't vote for RON (Re-open nominations) as you can in University elections. I hear that he's a nice chap.
'Oliver's no use at all, thinks he's very clever. Says that he can manage us, that's the best joke ever. When he orders us about, with the greatest folly. We just push him down the well. Pop goes old Olly!'
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