Please Vote - even if it's None Of The Above

[Don]

Dear PHers.

A simple plea: Go and vote. Make the effort. Even if you write "SHYSTERS" in lipstick through all the boxes: they have to count the vote as spoiled. Even if you write "None Of The Above" at the bottom and put a tick next to it: they have to count your vote.

Remember: Absence is Acquiescence

Don't let the buggers get away with it. Vote for your local independent if none of the parties appeal - mostly they have no axe to grind other than representing YOU.

Today is the day that makes a difference - not "protesting" in cities and having a nice riot. Today is the day that makes our political classes shake in fear. Exercise your power and make them pay.

Because if you do?


We can all look forward to a night of watching them squirm. Hey? That's got to be worth it, right!?

[Westy Pre-Lit]

Over the past few weeks it is only PH that has convinced me to go to the polling station.

However my vote will be spoilt.

fk um, they are all as bad as each other and none deserve my vote although UKIP will get the EU one.

I can already smell the strong pungent stench of BACON wafting in the air. oink oink oink

Edited by Westy Pre-Lit on Thursday 4th June 08:08

[speedchick]

Does spoiling the paper actually do any good? I thought those were just cast to one side and ignored?

[JCB123]

Done: UKIP!

I'm a Tory by heart, but if they won't stand up and say no to Europe, then they've lost my European vote (although they shall still prob get my General Election Vote - whenever the hell Brown decides to call one)

[V8mate]

I was there at 7am waiting for them to open

Done my bit: My part in his downfall etc

[Jasandjules]

Voted by post.

Another nail in the self serving scum's coffin.. A small nail, but a nail none-the-less.

[Don]

speedchick said:

Does spoiling the paper actually do any good? I thought those were just cast to one side and ignored?

Nope. They are counted up and the number noted in the results. If a constituency or ward gets more spoiled votes than the "winner" then it's a clear signal to the political classes that the constituency or ward isn't "safe" and they'd better do a decent job. Because next time someone might stand on the "None Of the Above" platform and get voted in.

I'll add to this that in my local area The Leader Of the Council in the safest ward got voted out and an independent elected for being a dishonest, partisan shyster who put his wife's career ahead of the good of the local people: Local power did that.

Keeps 'em honest. Or at least, slightly less dishonest.

[AlexKP]

speedchick said:

Does spoiling the paper actually do any good? I thought those were just cast to one side and ignored?

My understanding is they are counted as spolied votes - therefore effectively a general protest against all parties/the system.

Or a signal that you are so stupid as to be unable to actually put a cross in a box.

[speedchick]

anonymous said:

[redacted]

that's the bit that's worrying me

I genuinely do not know who to vote for this time round, and to be honest, I don't even know what elections are happening here, all I have had are generic one size fits all leaflets through the door, either delivered at night or via the postman, Labout telling me what Cameron wants to do, Tories telling me what Labour have been doing, Lib Dem telling me nothing at all, and one other telling me not to vote BNP, no one told me what they wanted to do, they were all just slagging another party off, with the exception of the BNP leaflet, which didn't slag any other party off.

I have had no one knock on my door, and I don't know who is standing for who, I know they are wanting me to vote someone for Europe, but am not sure if we are having local elections here.

What a total farce!

[V8mate]

speedchick said:

anonymous said:

[redacted]

that's the bit that's worrying me

I genuinely do not know who to vote for this time round, and to be honest, I don't even know what elections are happening here, all I have had are generic one size fits all leaflets through the door, either delivered at night or via the postman, Labout telling me what Cameron wants to do, Tories telling me what Labour have been doing, Lib Dem telling me nothing at all, and one other telling me not to vote BNP, no one told me what they wanted to do, they were all just slagging another party off, with the exception of the BNP leaflet, which didn't slag any other party off.

I have had no one knock on my door, and I don't know who is standing for who, I know they are wanting me to vote someone for Europe, but am not sure if we are having local elections here.

What a total farce!

European Elections for MEPs.

County Council/Unitary Authority elections

[speedchick]

Just got back from voting, blow me, that European one is a big list! and it got stuck in the ballot box, we had to prod it in with a ruler to make it go in properly.

[G_T]

Jasandjules said:

Voted by post.

Another nail in the self serving scum's coffin.. A small nail, but a nail none-the-less.

Same.

Another small nail.

[chris watton]

I’m gonna vote for Conservatives in the UK (After weighing everything up, it is the most sensible vote to hit Labour), and the Feminist Communist Party in Italy – just because the latter evidentially put a lot of thought and time into the poster that caught my eye…..

[G_T]

A PH member voting conservative? SHOCK HORROR.

[chris watton]

G_T said:

A PH member voting conservative? SHOCK HORROR.

I used to be a natural Labour voter, would always vote for ‘Working Class Party’ automatically – Seems like a long time ago now….

[madbadger]

chris watton said:

I’m gonna vote for Conservatives in the UK (After weighing everything up, it is the most sensible vote to hit Labour), and the Feminist Communist Party in Italy – just because the latter evidentially put a lot of thought and time into the poster that caught my eye…..

[G_T]

chris watton said:

G_T said:

A PH member voting conservative? SHOCK HORROR.

I used to be a natural Labour voter, would always vote for ‘Working Class Party’ automatically – Seems like a long time ago now….

To be fair Conservative party is the new labour. New labour however have become a failed dictatorship.

There's also an amusing story on "thedailymash", that draws comparisons between Gordon's situation and the last few days of Hitler. Worth a read.

[BJG1]

Unfortunately I have an exam today, so don't have the time to go and vote, however I fundamentally disagree with he political system within the UK, so there's very little point in voting.

[G_T]

BJG1 said:

Unfortunately I have an exam today, so don't have the time to go and vote, however I fundamentally disagree with he political system within the UK, so there's very little point in voting.

1) You should of registered to vote by post.
2) The polls open and close at stupid O'clock so you've no excuse assuming you bothered to register.
3) There is always a purpose in voting. Many people died for that belief.

Don't confuse your own apathy with political protest. You're a martyr to nobody but your own aquiesence at the current system and you Sir, are part of the problem.

Edited by G_T on Thursday 4th June 10:58

[SGirl]

speedchick said:

I have had no one knock on my door, and I don't know who is standing for who, I know they are wanting me to vote someone for Europe, but am not sure if we are having local elections here.

That happens round here too, every time. The Lib Dems are normally the only ones that bother to canvass, and they avoid our house - I've seen them do it.

Although that said, one of the local independents called round last night. Knocked on the door, then ran away leaving a letter on the doorstep saying how nice it was to meet so many people this last few weeks. Not voting for her if she can't even be bothered to stay and say hello!

Most miffed with the Conservatives, as well. They sent both of us flyers in the post, addressed and all - except Tam Lin's flyer was bigger and better than mine!! The swines.