hamster Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Who would people vote for knowing what we know now? Labour Conservative LibDem Other Abstain or Are you happy with what who we have? Me? No change. I ask this in response to the clear change in voting patterns in the Oldham & Saddleworth by-election. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I would still vote conservative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 14 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 14 January, 2011 Cheers trousers, at work today more people said that they'd change than did not, strangely a majority said that they didn't bother as 'they're all the same' but now wish they had 'lent' a vote to LibDem as they feel that the Conservatives are taking them for mugs and due to lack of governmental experiance are just glad of their place at the top table. fwiw, I personally would still spoil my paper. Don't shoot.. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Saintandy666 Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It would be extremely difficult as in my area there would probably only be UKIP, Con, Lab, Lib Dem. I'd probably end up voting Liberal Democrat, albeit with reservations. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 It's understandable that a lot of people are inclined to change their minds because the British public are typically as fickle minded as the politicians they scathe. The jury is out on the coalition but I happen to believe they're doing a relatively good job in the circumstances. Most people I speak to who are now disillusioned having voted for one of the coalition parties don't get how a coalition government works IMHO. They somehow see compromise as a weakness rather than a strength. Anyway, fair play to you Hamster for your choice. It's a valid way of expressing your democratic opinion IMHO. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SuperMikey Posted 14 January, 2011 Share Posted 14 January, 2011 I'd vote Lib Dem again if Clegg wasn't leading them. At the moment, i'd probably abstain, but if I had to vote then i'd go for Labour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 15 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 15 January, 2011 andy, would that be a change to your previous vote? cheers for that comment trousers, I got used to the brickbats around election time but took it on the chin. I like to get my opinion across and felt that not voting could be mis construed as not caring. I don't think that I have ever cared more than I do right now tbh. I am even considering leaving the union for the fisrt time since i first started wok such is my astonishment at their lack of resolve. How do we go about getting a poll Mods? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Clapham Saint Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Conservative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 15 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I can't imagine many changing their vote TO the conservatives if I'm honest, but is that not always the trend following an elction victory, people not feeling that they are getting what they were promised? I am persoanally surprised at the decisiveness of the planned cuts although I am not naieve enough to have thought that we could carry on as we were, having said that I also don't think that Labour would have added to their votes if they'd been more honest about the problem and the LibDems could have more or less said anything that they wanted, hence the so-called sell out. I still get the impression that some LibDems would have been more comfortable in bed with Labour and pushing for prudence and a bit more conservetism re public spending. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
aintforever Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I voted Lib Dem only because of their environmental policies and the fact that they opposed the Gulf war, not very impressed with how they have sold out so wont vote for them next time. Problem is I detest what the Conservatives stand for and don't trust Labour. I expect if Labour could convince me that they wont spunk my tax money on benefits for scroungers and immigrants then I would probably vote for them. But living in a big tory area it would be a wasted vote anyway so I might as well vote tactically - which means Lib Dem. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
TopGun Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I think this is a tricky one for all concerned. It clearly depends where you live and how you may have been affected by the coalition policy. Most people agree that cuts had to be made but now these are hitting home with redundancies in the public sector. The day before the Oldham bye-election Manchester City Council announced a requirement for 2,000 job cuts for example. Salford is about to follow with 800. Most of the people affected will blame the Tories and Oldham is in Greater Manchester, albeit a different council. The Tories have also not punished the bankers as they said they would. That still rankles with many people. Bob Diamond, CEO of Barclays says the time for remorse for bankers is over. He is wrong politically. On another note, many people will have drifted left, from Con to LD, from LD to Lab in Oldham anyway along national lines. The LDs had about 25% of the vote at the general election but all the polls now say about 7-9%. The pollsters' consensus is that represents the LDs who are still supportive of the coalition plus a few Con voters who have drifted into LD territory but a huge element of that 25% LD general election vote is now with Labour. Labour has hardly done much to earn it either, Ed has not been great, let's face it. Tricky to tell. Election tomorrow, Labour would win, just!! Where would I vote? Labour, just! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gingeletiss Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 How quickly people forget, as to how we come to be in this mess, and trust me, another term of labour, and we would of been bankrupt! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Hatch Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 being educated and of sound mind, I would still vote conservative. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
trousers Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 being educated and of sound mind, I would still vote conservative. How long is your blue touch paper...? Kaboooom! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 being educated and of sound mind, I would still vote conservative. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 being educated and of sound mind, I would still vote conservative. Isn't that's what's known as an oxymoron? You can't vote for "no change", hamster, as no one elected the coalition. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Smirking_Saint Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 being educated and of sound mind, I would still vote conservative. This Have people so easily forgotten the past 10 years ? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
JackFrost Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 conservative Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
RedAndWhite91 Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Not Labour. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 being educated and of sound mind, I would still vote conservative. This. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Seaford Saint Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I no longer vote.....there is no choice. I appear to be in the minority who sees this. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 (edited) No change for me. I'd still vote for Matt Cardle. Edited 15 January, 2011 by Deppo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
um pahars Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I think the issue will be what Lib Dem voters do. Typically, if you vote Conservative, then you obviously want them to form a Government, just as if you vote Labour. However, I imagine Lib Dem voters are in a quandary as their voters don't know what they will get in return for their votes. They know they won't get a LibDem Government, but have no idea if the leadership will sidle to the Right or to the Left. I don't think we've all got our head around coalitions and hung parliaments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 This is always going to be a loaded question as there isn't an election and wont be one for a number of years. The Coalition's whole stragegy is getting the worst over as soon as possible and to go into an election with economy seemingly on the up.People seem to forget that we would be facing cuts had Labour won the election and 6 months into their term, they would also be unpopular. There is one thing people should take when looking at the coalition's performance so far and that is that in every poll, they have come top when asked who people trust on the economy. I'm amazed that people are surprised the Lib/Dems support is so low. Take away all the Labour supporters who voted for them to keep the Tories out in Tory areas and all the Tories who voted for them to keep Labour out of Labour areas, and you get their core support. Their support has always been boosted by tactical voting. As for my vote, I'll be waiting until I've seen what the economy is like in 5 years time, if like Mrs Thatcher the Coalition have managed to sort Labour's mess out, then they'll get my vote (Tory), despite wets like Clarke and the assorted bunch of sandal wearers in Govt at present. If they haven't then I may turn to UKIP or not bother at all. I certainly wont be voting for any party that puts Alan Johnson up to run the economy. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Labour - always have and always will as long as the party's core principles remain the same. I did wobble when the Party became more right wing but pragmatism prevailed - anything rather than Tory. I tend to be influenced by principles rather than how things affect me alone. I struggle to determine exactly what Tory principles are (apart from 'I'm alright Jack, sod the rest of you) but I have learned, over many years, that Liberal principles can best be summarised as fence sitting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Your principles appear to be rather flexible. I presume you were for clause 4 (which was a "core" principle for the party) and against Europe. But are now pro European but against Public ownership. If you've kept the same principles as the Labour party, they've been moving all over the place. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Your principles appear to be rather flexible. I presume you were for clause 4 (which was a "core" principle for the party) and against Europe. But are now pro European but against Public ownership. If you've kept the same principles as the Labour party, they've been moving all over the place. Hmm - the core principle that sits well with me is that of everyone having an equal opportunity to make the best of themselves by having equal access to health, housing, and education. NOT that everyone should be equal or earn the same money, but that the frameworks should be there for everyone, regardless of birth or circumstance. That Labour Party principle hasn't shifted although I'll concede that sometimes the Labour government's legislation hasn't backed the Party's principles. I DID support the Labour Party's position on Europe back in the day but I've changed my mind (as has the Labour Party and, indeed, the Tory Party the other way). I'm certainly not against public ownership of e.g. railways, energy and water, police, NHS and I still remain to be convinced that 'private' intrusion into these industries has been a good thing. But it's a personal thing and, as in every political party, no doubt there will be other Labour Party members with whom I'd disagree on application and implementation. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lord Duckhunter Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I DID support the Labour Party's position on Europe back in the day but I've changed my mind (as has the Labour Party and, indeed, the Tory Party the other way). . The Tory parties position on Europe has been the same for election after election. There is only 1 major party that has had a manifesto committed to withdrawing from Europe and that is Labour.Even idiots like Ken Clarke have been consistant over Europe, as have the Lib/Dems. There are members of the last Govt who went into an election pledging to withdraw, but when rejected by the people changed their principles. The whole New Labour approach to power was "dont like my principles, here's another set", and the core Labour supporters were so desperate for power that they rolled over and let them hijack the party.To try and hold the Labour party up as some sort of prinicpled body is a joke, it was a Labour Govt that took us into Iraq, a Labour Govt that chipped away at our personal freedom and locked up more people than ever before. A Labour Govt that followed opinion polls rather than lead the Country.It was a Labour Govt that allowed the banks to make as much money as they could and gamble like a drunk in a casino. Where were the Labour principles then? The Labour movement have no principles, the ones they did have they gave up in a grab for power. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
bridge too far Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 ...... The Labour movement have no principles, the ones they did have they gave up in a grab for power. Although I'm tempted to gainsay much of your post, I'd rather just address this point. The Labour movement and the Labour Party in government are two different beasts and I didn't like it any more than many of my fellow Labour supporters. However, all parties in power abrogate their core values to some extent - witness the number of about-turns by the current government already. My overriding view is that I would rather have the Labour Party in government, for all its faults, than any other party BECAUSE of the basic tenets of those parties. I'll continue to work within the Labour Party to influence its direction and, whether you agree with me or not, I am at least trying to do something. I was heartened and amazed by an outstanding U turn in a local by-election here (in David Cameron's own constituency) where, for the first time in many years, the Labour Party overwhelmingly won. The number of people joining the Labour Party in recent months is just stunning, and that's after just 7 months of the ConDems. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 (edited) I wonder whether there's something self-selecting in the way this forum attracts such a high percentage twisting loons from the right and far-right. Labour supporters (and liberals with a small 'l') are a small minority on here, and yet over 40% of the voting population now supports Labour. Football, a traditional working class sport, would, you might expect, attract more rather than fewer Labour supporters. The self-selection probably comes from anonymity and the opportunity to create an alternative identity. There are so many captains of industry on here I'm surprised Southampton isn't a serious rival to Hong Kong. But as Ricky Gervais said recently: window-cleaning isn't a business. Edited 15 January, 2011 by Verbal Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ecuk268 Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 There seems to be an assumption that, because you vote for a party, you agree with everything that they do (or promise to do, not the same thing (bankers bonuses, VAT)). I'm broadly centre-left, pro_EU as long as it doesn't go too far, believe in a strong NHS and state education and equality of opportunity for all. However I'm probably a bit right-wing on crime. Everyone deserves a second chance but, if they don't take it, lock 'em up. Also your home should be your castle. If I want to put broken glass on the top of my wall, why not? If someone enters my house uninvited, I want the right to whack them with a shovel. Yours confusedly, ecuk268 Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
saintjay77 Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I have no idea what most of the posts on this thread are about but it all sounds very grown up so thought I would add my view too I don't vote cause all the politicians are *****s. They only seem interested in name calling and point scoring. What good does a public banter and slagging match do for our country? If they spent as much time working as they do bit(hing they might actually get something done. The tax system in this country is dreadful. The government skim enough money off us to sort out 3 counties problems yet give it 10 years of 1 party in power and the country is a mess and people want change. Still as long as there is a government system there will be a job for the weedy kids that get picked on at school. If I win big on the euro millions 1 day I'll buy my own country and do things my way. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
badgerx16 Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I would wait to see the list of 'promises to be broken' in the manifestos, listen to what the parties had to say, and cast my vote according to my conscience. There was a bit on Mark Thomas's 'Peoples Manifesto' on R4 that suggested that when a Government had reached 50 broken manifesto pledges then a new election was automatically triggered. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Johnny Bognor Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 I wonder whether there's something self-selecting in the way this forum attracts such a high percentage twisting loons from the right and far-right. Labour supporters (and liberals with a small 'l') are a small minority on here, and yet over 40% of the voting population now supports Labour. Football, a traditional working class sport, would, you might expect, attract more rather than fewer Labour supporters. I would suggest that the vast majority are Left of centre on here....that showed on the SWF political compass. However, it is the most vocal from both sides that get noticed. Thankfully there are balanced posters like me around to keep the peace and fly the flag for logic. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
hamster Posted 15 January, 2011 Author Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Isn't that's what's known as an oxymoron? You can't vote for "no change", hamster, as no one elected the coalition. not a vote for 'no change', a spoilt but still posted vote, they all get counted i understand. In fact I get 2 votes in MY house, mrs h tells me to do what i want with her's. i actually believe that labour are quite content not to be in power right now and when the time comes the public will have forgotten some of their cock-ups and may be saying 'they can't be worse than these tories'. i had no idea how swingheing (sp) the cuts would be amd i am, to be perfectly honest, a bit scared for a lot of decent people doing valuable work who sadly don;t yet realise that they will be kicked in the teeth over the coming months. i accept that change is inevitable but now they are acting in haste and i fear that millions willbe repenting. where's that poll? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
the colonel Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 Labour all the way Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Massimo Osti Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 The British National party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 The British National party. Watch that trail of slime behind you. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 15 January, 2011 Share Posted 15 January, 2011 (edited) The British National party. I like the statement you've made by using a lower case 'p' for party. I concur with your implication. Edited 16 January, 2011 by Deppo Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Thedelldays Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 Why won't people vote for the liberals because of clegg?? He has led that parry to something they have dreamed of for generations... A real say in how the country is run.. Don't people realise that compromise is going to happen in a coalition... Would they rather not have a voice at all?? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Joesaint Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 Conservative Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
georgeweahscousin Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 The Conservative Party. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 I got sat next to a Socialist at the footie yesterday. I couldn't be arsed to get into a discussion so chose to ignore his comments. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 For "I couldn't be arsed to get into a discussion so chose to ignore his comments" read: "I felt out of my depth and couldn't think of any cogent reply to his rather valid points. It's very difficult to find a clip of Margaret Thatcher on YouTube on one's phone by way of a reply when you are having a live conversation. The silence can be quite uncomfortable whilst I am searching." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 For "I couldn't be arsed to get into a discussion so chose to ignore his comments" read: "I felt out of my depth and couldn't think of any cogent reply to his rather valid points. It's very difficult to find a clip of Margaret Thatcher on YouTube on one's phone by way of a reply when you are having a live conversation. The silence can be quite uncomfortable whilst I am searching." No, I couldn't be arsed. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 For "No, I couldn't be arsed", read: ":blush:". Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
GenevaSaint Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 I wouldn't vote the the turncoat liberals again. Did it once, never again. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
dune Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 For "No, I couldn't be arsed", read: ":blush:". You are very tedious. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Verbal Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 I got sat next to a Socialist at the footie yesterday. I couldn't be arsed to get into a discussion so chose to ignore his comments. Why 'got sat'? Did your mummy plonk you down next to the nasty socialist as punishment? No wonder you were in a sulk. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Deppo Posted 16 January, 2011 Share Posted 16 January, 2011 For "You are very tedious", read: "I think I love you, Deppo." Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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