Voting in the UK - UK-Muscle Body Building Community

dmcc · 06-05-2008, 06:59 PM

Since last week's elections, I've been reading a lot of comments (on here and elsewhere) along the lines of "oh Labour is shít, this government is crap" etc. And it struck me - how many of these same people actually bothered to vote at the last election?

Several countries - such as Belgium and Australia - have compulsory voting and there are fines for those who do not vote, though there are valid excuses such as being taken suddenly ill, or not mentally capable of voting. I believe that there should be compulsory voting in the UK for several reasons, not least that politicians can better gauge the mood of the electorate and because it require active citizenship. It might also stop people moaning about the system of government (fat chance...).

If there were compulsory voting, there would have to be an "abstain" or "none of the above" option, with the number of abstentions recorded and reported.

Lost Soul · 06-05-2008, 07:05 PM

Would be nice but too much abuse from those who are politically agnostic especially if influenced by peers or family

I honestly dont think enough people know enough about politics in the UK to elect the most popular party based on fact

Look now, nobody who knows jack about politics would vote labour because all they can see is rising fuel bills and cost of food. They will have no idea exactly what the alternative is from the other party PLUS their others thoughts, policies and ideals., they simply dont want high food prices and petrol so they vote anything but labour

the corruption would be rife too and the sale of votes would be an issue.

bring back communism, bring back dictatorship

gangst · 06-05-2008, 07:08 PM

interesting question, i know some people do not vote, but what annoys me is that for decades/centuries people have been refused the right to vote and fought for their cause. then further along the line people fail to take up a right others have died for?!

Slamdog · 06-05-2008, 07:15 PM

i always vote...

its just something that should be compulsory.... if you don't partake you have no right to complain about the outcome...

dmcc · 06-05-2008, 07:16 PM

Gangst, that's an argument that escaped me. You are right, the fact that so many people decline to exercise the right that their ancestors fought and died for is a slap in the face to those who went to war.

Lost - good points. Presumably Australia manages to deal with this?

Lost Soul · 06-05-2008, 07:24 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by dmcc

Lost - good points. Presumably Australia manages to deal with this?

No they just have a sh1te profile in the world of politics and still live a very autocratic way of life

The do though have immigration nailed regardless of who is in office as i and my family find out on a regular basis

Going back to the UK, if we can educate people without spin and propaganda to make their informed decisions then everybody voting is good but will that ever happen? no i doubt it as the newspapers people read are so politically biased as is the TV you watch

ALso would we give the vote to the mentally unstable? the extremists, the criminal, deviants and so on?

People should be allowed to vote, those who dont, sit down and shut the fcuk up instead of moaning about current governments

dmcc · 06-05-2008, 07:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lost Soul

People should be allowed to vote, those who dont, sit down and shut the fcuk up instead of moaning about current governments

Very true.

You mentioned those with convictions. In the USA convicts are unable to vote, at least whilst in prison. In some respects I agree with that - you commit a crime (and most if not all criminal law systems count any crime as being against "the state"), expect to be disenfranchised, at least temporarily.

Lost Soul · 06-05-2008, 07:50 PM

Ahh american elections are fcuking pointless anyway

give them a balloon and pin on badge with your name and you get the vote

"ggggeeeeeez man thats so kewl....i sure will be voting for y'all sir"

squat_this · 06-05-2008, 08:42 PM

I voted, it was the 1st time I was of legal age. Only 43% of Londoners voted in the mayoral election which is disgraceful considering 90% of londoners (I was formerly one) will complain about one issue or another.

strongbone · 06-05-2008, 08:49 PM

I voted last week and I have never voted before. I personally don't want to vote because out of all the parties and policy they put forward does not seems to benefit me. I would like to see negative vote system. i.e. vote against something.

Last week I voted for the one I like the least, I always think my vote is an endorsement to the policy I choose and why do I have to choose the least hated option so that the country don't go down the drain quickly but slow the process by choosing the less evil?

I think negative vote is the way forward, a lot more people will cast their vote then.

gangst · 06-05-2008, 09:01 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongbone

I think negative vote is the way forward, a lot more people will cast their vote then.

what, like a plebiscite? if that is the case it will just completely muck up the system as it mis-represents the vote and allows smaller parties to achieve disproportional seats.

strongbone · 06-05-2008, 09:10 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gangst

what, like a plebiscite? if that is the case it will just completely muck up the system as it mis-represents the vote and allows smaller parties to achieve disproportional seats.

As if the system is not already muck up. If your party and policy wins people heart truly and not just people least hate you then you have nothing to worry about.

Lost Soul · 06-05-2008, 09:18 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by strongbone

I voted last week and I have never voted before. I personally don't want to vote because out of all the parties and policy they put forward does not seems to benefit me. I would like to see negative vote system. i.e. vote against something.

Last week I voted for the one I like the least, I always think my vote is an endorsement to the policy I choose and why do I have to choose the least hated option so that the country don't go down the drain quickly but slow the process by choosing the less evil?

I think negative vote is the way forward, a lot more people will cast their vote then.

I think this post conclusively answers the orignal question in hand

Captain Hero · 06-05-2008, 10:54 PM

strongbones post confuses me o_O anyhoo good points Gangst, and some nice points too Lost. Its a difficult decision as most politicians seem the same - Corrupt and self serving.

Longshanks · 06-05-2008, 11:18 PM

The french presidential election saw a voter turnout of 85%, 37.6 million of the 44 million electorate. I think they have such a high turnout because the french hold thier elections on weekends. If you are interested in politics you will make the effort to vote but I can sympathise with the person who has just done a 12 hour shift being to knackered to give a toss.

View Poll Results: Should there be compulsory voting in the UK?
Yes, as long as abstentions can be recorded.	10	47.62%
No	11	52.38%
Voters: 21. You may not vote on this poll

06-05-2008, 06:59 PM	#1 (permalink)
dmcc Damn belly! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tooting Posts: 1,542	Voting in the UK Since last week's elections, I've been reading a lot of comments (on here and elsewhere) along the lines of "oh Labour is shít, this government is crap" etc. And it struck me - how many of these same people actually bothered to vote at the last election? Several countries - such as Belgium and Australia - have compulsory voting and there are fines for those who do not vote, though there are valid excuses such as being taken suddenly ill, or not mentally capable of voting. I believe that there should be compulsory voting in the UK for several reasons, not least that politicians can better gauge the mood of the electorate and because it require active citizenship. It might also stop people moaning about the system of government (fat chance...). If there were compulsory voting, there would have to be an "abstain" or "none of the above" option, with the number of abstentions recorded and reported. __________________ Bitte beachten Sie beim einsteigen die Lücke zwischen Zug und Bahnsteigkante. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-05-2008, 07:08 PM	#3 (permalink)
gangst Gym Addict Join Date: Aug 2006 Posts: 479	Re: Voting in the UK interesting question, i know some people do not vote, but what annoys me is that for decades/centuries people have been refused the right to vote and fought for their cause. then further along the line people fail to take up a right others have died for?!

06-05-2008, 07:15 PM	#4 (permalink)
Slamdog Who nicked my hair? Join Date: Jun 2007 Location: Northampton Posts: 1,695	Re: Voting in the UK i always vote... its just something that should be compulsory.... if you don't partake you have no right to complain about the outcome... __________________ I'd like to see it your way but I can't get my head that far up my own ar$e

06-05-2008, 07:16 PM	#5 (permalink)
dmcc Damn belly! Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Tooting Posts: 1,542	Re: Voting in the UK Gangst, that's an argument that escaped me. You are right, the fact that so many people decline to exercise the right that their ancestors fought and died for is a slap in the face to those who went to war. Lost - good points. Presumably Australia manages to deal with this? __________________ Bitte beachten Sie beim einsteigen die Lücke zwischen Zug und Bahnsteigkante. To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts.

06-05-2008, 08:42 PM	#9 (permalink)
squat_this The legend that is LBND!!! Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Surrey Posts: 1,299	Re: Voting in the UK I voted, it was the 1st time I was of legal age. Only 43% of Londoners voted in the mayoral election which is disgraceful considering 90% of londoners (I was formerly one) will complain about one issue or another. __________________ Welcome to this thing of ours...a.k.a the UK-Muscle Mafioso Wasps - Premiership Champions '02-'03, '03-'04, '04-'05, '07-'08 Heineken Cup Winners - 2004, 2007

06-05-2008, 08:49 PM	#10 (permalink)
strongbone Newbie Trainer Join Date: Feb 2008 Posts: 19	Re: Voting in the UK I voted last week and I have never voted before. I personally don't want to vote because out of all the parties and policy they put forward does not seems to benefit me. I would like to see negative vote system. i.e. vote against something. Last week I voted for the one I like the least, I always think my vote is an endorsement to the policy I choose and why do I have to choose the least hated option so that the country don't go down the drain quickly but slow the process by choosing the less evil? I think negative vote is the way forward, a lot more people will cast their vote then.

06-05-2008, 10:54 PM	#14 (permalink)
Captain Hero defeat your enemies with success Join Date: Jun 2004 Location: United Kingdom Posts: 6,203	Re: Voting in the UK strongbones post confuses me o_O anyhoo good points Gangst, and some nice points too Lost. Its a difficult decision as most politicians seem the same - Corrupt and self serving. __________________ Captain Hero " Nothing great was ever achieved by being realistic!" 1. Captain Hero To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. 25 up, 3 down To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. One of the most messed up characters in To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , Captain Hero is a parody on Superman. He is also a To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , enjoys To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , is a bisexual, has a childish personality and possibly a mental disorder, is at times a To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , practices To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , had a romance with To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , To view links or images in signatures your post count must be 0 or greater. You currently have 0 posts. , Bleh, and Unusually-Flexible-Girl. "By the time I get there, the girl is either already safe, or dead. Either way, there's going to be some serious fondling." ~Captain Hero.

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