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Post by lynette on May 21, 2017 18:55:50 GMT
I remember feeling v grown up when I had my first vote. I'm v sorry about the apathy some young people feel and their detachment from how they are governed.
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 18:59:30 GMT
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724 posts
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Post by Latecomer on May 21, 2017 19:32:24 GMT
I keep on reading tweets encouraging everyone to vote. These are usually from the same people who are slamming the Tories & are clearly ardent Labour supporters. I do wonder if they'd be encouraging me to vote as much if I informed them I will, as always, be voting Conservative! Yes, I would be encouraging you to vote...and you'll note at the start of the thread I don't ask people to vote any particular way, JUST VOTE! I believe when you have a majority of people disaffected with politics and democracy you have a real problem....they feel they have no say in how the country is run, they feel they have no way to change things that they do not like, they feel powerless...and then the only logical response is "some other way". It's not so very long since we had riots in London, I remember riots in Brixton and Toxteth.... So yes, vote how you all like but VOTE!
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Post by Dawnstar on May 21, 2017 19:56:57 GMT
^ I wasn't referring to people on here, who seem to manage to have reasoned political (though not Wicked!) discussions, but people on Twitter who seem to be very, er, militant. My mother wants to have a "Vote Conservative" sign put up outside our house. I said that if Twitter knew they'd probably send round a lynch mob!
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Post by theglenbucklaird on May 21, 2017 20:28:08 GMT
Terrible comment that BB, loads and load of reasons why you can be politicised and have very strong views whilst thinking that our 'democracy' isn't that great really and your vote doesn't count for as much as it should do.
Given that it's the only "democracy" we have, surely it's better to engage with it in order to change things rather than sit on the outside of the system talking a lot but changing nothing? If ever you needed evidence that a niche political movement can bring about huge change against all the odds just go take a look at UKIP. I think even Russel Brand has come to that conclusion. Lets go Aussie and fine people who don't turn up to vote. You didn't say that first time though. I disagreed that you have to visit the ballot box every five years to have a say
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Post by Deleted on May 21, 2017 23:08:11 GMT
^ I wasn't referring to people on here, who seem to manage to have reasoned political (though not Wicked!) discussions, but people on Twitter who seem to be very, er, militant. My mother wants to have a "Vote Conservative" sign put up outside our house. I said that if Twitter knew they'd probably send round a lynch mob! Ha ha, so true. And they wonder why 'shy Tories' is a thing! If it wasn't for the fact I get a lot of theatre news that way, I'd be steering well clear of Facebook these days. Every single day my hard lefty friends are ranting about something or other. Most of them engage in calm, reasoned debate when challenged, but the ridiculous memes they share can make Facebook a pretty unpleasant place to be. Roll on 9 June!
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3,476 posts
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Post by showgirl on May 22, 2017 4:35:19 GMT
I second Latecomer's exhortation "So yes, vote how you all like but VOTE!" I'm another person who lives in a safe Conservative seat so whether I voted for them or another party it'd make no difference yet. The important thing is to engage and vote for what you believe in, or the closest to that on offer. If it's not a major party, the more people who vote for others, the stronger the case for a change to a more representative system.
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Post by Deleted on May 22, 2017 7:46:20 GMT
If we're mirroring the Aussie model we could also do what they do and have a little party at the polling stations (Any excuse for a 'Barbie and some beer right?)
But seriously, as much as my own political views are indeed leftist, I'd still rather everyone with a vote used their vote, because at least then there's also a fuller representation of what the country wants. And honestly, extremist parties aside, I can usually understand why people vote in a certain way and accept their political views even if they're different to mine- and living in a democracy I might not like the result but if people have turned out and voted well it is what it is.
Personally I live in a safe Labour seat, whether I go and vote for them or not will never short of a revolution shift that. I still go and vote though.
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Post by vdcni on May 22, 2017 8:07:13 GMT
Yes Australian voting is all about the sausage sizzle! My fiance was very upset when he discovered they didn't have a BBQ at Australia House when he voted in the last Aussie election.
The left push the voting line more because young people are less likely to vote but more likely to vote left but the vast majority of people even on Twitter that talk about it are just trying to encourage people to vote no matter who it's for.
The right have never been as bothered since older people vote in bigger numbers and for them anyway. Though until now the Tories have never really gone down the US Republican route of actively trying to suppress voting but that's another line crossed in their latest manifesto.
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Post by hal9000 on May 22, 2017 16:42:37 GMT
Yes! A sausage sizzle (single thin sausage in a single slice of bread, optional onions and tomato sauce). Voting occurs in church, school and community halls and always on a Saturday which makes it convenient for said church, school or community to do a spot of fundraising! Beer is rarely served because I don't think the sellers wants to pay for it but there are sometimes additional cake stalls.
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Post by longinthetooth on May 22, 2017 17:08:21 GMT
I remember nearly having to vote in a Greek election! We were on holiday, strolling around a little village, when we got rounded up and steered in the direction of the polling booth - well, I think it was more a table in a house, but you get the gist. After a few cries of, "We're British, don't you know?" or words to that effect, we were excused!
I agree about the leftie rantings on Twitter. I have actually dumped a few of the more vociferous ones (this happens on a fairly regular basis) until the Election is over. I don't care who votes for who, and I don't want to know either.
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2,206 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on May 22, 2017 20:28:35 GMT
After May's performance again today, I would encourage everybody to vote. She's terrible
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Post by Phantom of London on May 22, 2017 23:35:55 GMT
What do you mean Iron Lady 2, the lady that cannot be turned, just turned within 24 hours of the manifesto release and that was on a centrepiece policy. Eek.
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Post by Deleted on May 23, 2017 7:28:41 GMT
I understand why people are disheartened by politics and might want to abstain because they'd want to use their vote for something they genuinely believe in, but I honestly don't understand how they don't see that political apathy is as good as a vote for someone they actively dislike. I don't think voting should be mandatory, as I think every vote should be an informed vote, but I do think everyone should engage in politics. The more it seems dry and boring and like something you can't wrap your head around, the more you owe it to yourself to read up on it, as apathy allows politicians to do what they like with very little accountability. Contemporary politics should be a compulsory study at schools for at least a term. Whatever happens in this 2017 election, teenagers are the ones who are going to have to live with the fall-out for longest. And SHAME on Theresa May for calling the GE during exam season.
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2,206 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on May 29, 2017 22:04:46 GMT
No mention of the debates. I didn't see them, wondered how they went?
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Post by d'James on May 29, 2017 22:44:38 GMT
If you're on Twitter, #theresamaygifs is good fun. I don't really want to get into politics on here.
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Post by mistressjojo on May 30, 2017 13:19:51 GMT
I'd just like to say that in over 30 years of voting in Australia, I've never once been offered a sausage. I feel so deprived.
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2,206 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on May 31, 2017 20:53:43 GMT
Missed the debate tonight but heard Jezza done well, again. And that people were laughing at May light, again,
Anyway, whilst canvassing someone said on the doorstep, May should lose her wages for 12 weeks as she failed to turn up to the job interview. I arfed.
No Teresa May is better than a bad Teresa May
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5,593 posts
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Post by lynette on Jun 1, 2017 12:08:54 GMT
Holding the GE in exam season ok for most people. If you are taking an exam you will at 'home' i.e. uni or school and you can register to vote at uni town. The prob might be that uni exams finish early and younger voters aged between 18 and 21 will be away and good on 'em but so not at 'home' i.e. Actual home or uni. But for half term..and people in holiday, a better time would have been last week and then exams not finished. And then it would be all over and how we loooooong for that to be so.
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Post by Michael on Jun 2, 2017 21:11:43 GMT
Can't you have a postal vote in the UK? That's what I've been doing in Germany for the last couple of elections. Usually, I'm not at home on the election Sunday, so they mail me the ballot paper some time before the actual election and I can complete it at home whenever I have time and then mail it back.
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Post by The Matthew on Jun 2, 2017 21:19:09 GMT
Can't you have a postal vote in the UK? Yes, you can.
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Post by d'James on Jun 2, 2017 21:21:27 GMT
Can't you have a postal vote in the UK? That's what I've been doing in Germany for the last couple of elections. Usually, I'm not at home on the election Sunday, so they mail me the ballot paper some time before the actual election and I can complete it at home whenever I have time and then mail it back. Yep. I did it this time. Didn't like it though as I never vote for the same party and would prefer to make up my mind on the day.
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2,206 posts
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Post by theglenbucklaird on Jun 2, 2017 21:24:58 GMT
Still get an emergency proxy up to pretty late (I think) the day before also if it is required
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2017 22:03:26 GMT
Can't you have a postal vote in the UK? That's what I've been doing in Germany for the last couple of elections. Usually, I'm not at home on the election Sunday, so they mail me the ballot paper some time before the actual election and I can complete it at home whenever I have time and then mail it back. Yep. I did it this time. Didn't like it though as I never vote for the same party and would prefer to make up my mind on the day. I think you can use a postal vote on the day if you take it to a polling station? (Mind you it's a while since I've done that, I usually make my mind up who I'm voting for long before, so it's not an issue. Brexit was the only vote that was down to the wire for me.)
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Post by d'James on Jun 2, 2017 22:05:26 GMT
Yep. I did it this time. Didn't like it though as I never vote for the same party and would prefer to make up my mind on the day. I think you can use a postal vote on the day if you take it to a polling station? (Mind you it's a while since I've done that, I usually make my mind up who I'm voting for long before, so it's not an issue. Brexit was the only vote that was down to the wire for me.) Thanks. It's too late now, I've sent it. There are certain parties I will never vote for, but I like to try and keep an open mind about the other parties each time an election comes around.
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Post by Deleted on Jun 2, 2017 22:13:27 GMT
I think you can use a postal vote on the day if you take it to a polling station? (Mind you it's a while since I've done that, I usually make my mind up who I'm voting for long before, so it's not an issue. Brexit was the only vote that was down to the wire for me.) Thanks. It's too late now, I've sent it. There are certain parties I will never vote for, but I like to try and keep an open mind about the other parties each time an election comes around. Oh yes, I don't always vote for the same party. As an individual (I think that's still allowed, but who knows for how much longer), I'm frequently tempted by independents. But I'm a pretty decisive person, so once my mind is made up...
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Post by d'James on Jun 2, 2017 22:15:10 GMT
Thanks. It's too late now, I've sent it. There are certain parties I will never vote for, but I like to try and keep an open mind about the other parties each time an election comes around. Oh yes, I don't always vote for the same party. As an individual (I think that's still allowed, but who knows for how much longer), I'm frequently tempted by independents. But I'm a pretty decisive person, so once my mind is made up... We didn't have any independents this time. Only five. Very uninspiring list I might add. They never bother campaigning round here anyway as it's a foregone conclusion which is really sad.
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Post by infofreako on Jun 2, 2017 22:24:44 GMT
We have a selection of the 3 main parties plus one independent. The greens and ukip both pulled their potential candidates out to assist each of the parties closest to their ideals. Leaves a bad taste
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Post by Deleted on Jun 3, 2017 7:21:12 GMT
My area only had a choice of three this time - very unusual! And the Lib Dems strongly suggested we vote Labour instead of for their own candidate. Agree with you infofreako - that doesn't sit well with me either.
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Post by The Matthew on Jun 6, 2017 20:37:25 GMT
There's an interesting piece on what it's like for blind voters here.
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