[Politics] General Election 2024 - The Poll

[armchairclubber]

I'd settle for Labour winning without Starmer

 

[chickens]

I would be genuinely interested to see what the result might be if we had full PR - in that case Reform could smash the Tories. On second thoughts maybe its a good thing we don't and the Tories are there as a home for the reasonable right-of-centre people

It would be interesting. Right now, the Conservative Party is the party of conspiracy theorists, culture war warriors, crony capitalism and ineptitude on a never seen before scale.

The Lib Dem’s are the home of reasonable centre-right people. I know there are those out there who feel differently, but the Lib Dems have always been the party of policies that sound revolutionary, while in practice when they control local authorities, they’re very much a party of “steady as she goes.”

 

[Hotchilidog]

Disappointing to see so many disillusioned people who still feel there is nothing to vote for. I'd argue that given the likely outcome of this election, that participating has never been more important. If the winning party can readily discount the views of 30-35% of the electorate it makes their job a lot easier as they can focus on a narrower band of voters whom they will show an interest in.

Even if you feel your vote is wasted, make them count it anyway. Register your opinion, let the politicians know you are out there and that you do count.

Whether you feel that your constituency is so stacked in favour of one party or the other, go out and get counted anyway. Whether you feel your vote for the Lib Dems, the Greens an Independent, or even Reform if that is who you want, is a wasted one in face of the two main parties, I'd argue it is not. Being counted puts your views on record and builds momentum that can potentially shape policy and elections in the future.

 

[Audax]

Tactical Lib Dem most likely.

Whatever it takes to help get rid of this totally Sunak-ered government.

 

[Machiavelli]

Tactical Lib Dem most likely.

Whatever it takes to help get rid of this totally Sunak-ered government.

Ooo. Another one:

 

[Insel affe]

Is there a time when the country voted in Labour and they 'fecked it up'?

1970s they right royally fecked it up, 3 day weeks, strikes left right and centre.
Tony Blairs leadership, rode on the back of Tory policy that cannot be denied and he led the country in to a war that was not required and he needed to be stronger and stand up to America.

Yet the Tories always 'feck it up' in the end

Every Government makes mistakes and yes they have been in power for far too long and have lost touch.

In the last 40 odd years we've had Tories and 1 period of Blair / Brown. That new labour period was the best time of government of that 40+ year period, year upon year of growth, better investment in public services, stronger NHS and most importantly a united country.

See above, they rode on the back of watered down tory policy and world growth, a tad lucky and when things started to unravel in the world and the economy's nose dived Blair like the coward he is jumped ship it seems to me.

The Tories have only ever brought division, wealth inequality and decline in public services as they only serve the interests of the wealthy.

Possibly, but it is an opinion that I can see.

Judge parties on their record - not preconceptions or misconceptions

I do my own view, I may see things differently to you, and have different values.
I am no better than you, or you I, I just see all political parties ultimately are out for themselves and lose sight of the ideals and core beliefs when the cold reality of having to work in Government.

As I said I lean towards Labour, and would consider my values basically socialist, but realise we do need a balance and that includes industry and private business driving the country forward as well.

I am rambling, ignore me, I know nothing.

 

[Kalimantan Gull]

Stand by for endless weeping from Greens, Liberals and Farage supporters complaining it isn't fair they don't have enough MPs to form a coalition, er, with the Tories. Or Labour. Don't mind really, as long a we can saw we are 'in power'. Hooray!

Well, it is ridiculous that there is so little representation in parliament for quite so many people. In 2019 the Green's got 1 MP for every 866,000 votes. The DUP got 1 MP for every 23,000 votes. The Tories got 1 MP for every 34,000 votes but the Libdems needed ten times as many voters for each of their MPs, 336,000, and the Brexit party got no MP's despite 644,000 total votes.

In 2015 UKIP got 3.8 million votes and 1 MP, that number of votes delivered 110 Tory MPs. That kind of discrepancy rather strains the definition of democracy considering that once in parliament each MP gets one equal vote to change our nation's laws.

And really, those votes for the Greens and whoever are very much a floor, I would vote for them in an open vote, but I never have because its a waste in a first past the post system.

There is of course a lot to like about the ultimate outcome of the FPTP system, but it is quite hard to get past the disdain with which it actually represents the people's will.

 

[WATFORD zero]

I would be genuinely interested to see what the result might be if we had full PR - in that case Reform could smash the Tories. On second thoughts maybe its a good thing we don't and the Tories are there as a home for the reasonable right-of-centre people

I'm guessing you've been in the jungles in Borneo, uncontactable for the last 5 years

 

[Audax]

As I said I lean towards Labour, and would consider my values basically socialist, but realise we do need a balance and that includes industry and private business driving the country forward as well.

This is where, to a large extent, the FPTP-promoted "two party" political system breaks down. When it comes to who forms government, we are faced with two choices: the Conservatives on the right, and Labour on the left. For an awful lot of us who vote, however, it's not that simple. Take me for example:

1. I generally favour "right leaning" economic policy. I agree with the right that competition in markets generally leads to better markets - promotes research, promotes efficiency, etc. But I fundamentally disagree with the approach the right takes where they seem to think that privatisation of absolutely everything in an attempt to promote competition works. There are certain "markets" where maintaining public ownership and/or heavily regulating is required. Just need to look at what's happened with water (they haven't created competitive markets, they've created localised monopolies and allowed those monopolies to siphon off cash instead of re-investing); rail (again, largely speaking local monopolies that just haven't worked) etc.

2. I generally favour "left leaning" social policy. I agree with the left that society should support those less well off. I think the NHS was a wonderful creation. But I am left wondering if the UKs obsession with a "free at point of use, for everyone" system has resulted in a demonisation of the private sector that could, if used right, help to supplement the public system and take pressure off. The NHS has become so large it's bloated. It's underfunded as well, but also bloated, and it needs reform.

2a. "Green" policy is seen as the preserve of a "left fringe". Which is utterly stupid. Environmentally friendly policy is not a left-vs-right issue. The right has a fundamentally outdated view that pro-environment policy holds back "progress" and economic growth, which has blinded them entirely to the reality that faces us today: which, IMO, is that the biggest area of potential for economic growth is in green policy and green economy.

Neither the Conservatives, nor Labour, represent my views in the UK. Nor, sadly, do the Lib Dems, which is largely because they appear to have accepted their fate to forever be that annoying party in between the two beasts.

 

[WATFORD zero]

This is where, to a large extent, the FPTP-promoted "two party" political system breaks down. When it comes to who forms government, we are faced with two choices: the Conservatives on the right, and Labour on the left. For an awful lot of us who vote, however, it's not that simple. Take me for example:

1. I generally favour "right leaning" economic policy. I agree with the right that competition in markets generally leads to better markets - promotes research, promotes efficiency, etc. But I fundamentally disagree with the approach the right takes where they seem to think that privatisation of absolutely everything in an attempt to promote competition works. There are certain "markets" where maintaining public ownership and/or heavily regulating is required. Just need to look at what's happened with water (they haven't created competitive markets, they've created localised monopolies and allowed those monopolies to siphon off cash instead of re-investing); rail (again, largely speaking local monopolies that just haven't worked) etc.

2. I generally favour "left leaning" social policy. I agree with the left that society should support those less well off. I think the NHS was a wonderful creation. But I am left wondering if the UKs obsession with a "free at point of use, for everyone" system has resulted in a demonisation of the private sector that could, if used right, help to supplement the public system and take pressure off. The NHS has become so large it's bloated. It's underfunded as well, but also bloated, and it needs reform.

2a. "Green" policy is seen as the preserve of a "left fringe". Which is utterly stupid. Environmentally friendly policy is not a left-vs-right issue. The right has a fundamentally outdated view that pro-environment policy holds back "progress" and economic growth, which has blinded them entirely to the reality that faces us today: which, IMO, is that the biggest area of potential for economic growth is in green policy and green economy.

Neither the Conservatives, nor Labour, represent my views in the UK. Nor, sadly, do the Lib Dems, which is largely because they appear to have accepted their fate to forever be that annoying party in between the two beasts.

FPTP simply enables two party politics with massive coalitions of dissimilar individuals on each side attempting to gain absolute power at any expense

 

[peterward]

I want an inspiring PM. Someone with some ground breaking policies that might actually make a positive difference in peoples lives.

Well that's not on offer.

Do you want to continue with the More of the same party.

Or vote for the other more of the same party, who just don't happen to be the incumbent more of the same crowd!

 

[Insel affe]

This is where, to a large extent, the FPTP-promoted "two party" political system breaks down. When it comes to who forms government, we are faced with two choices: the Conservatives on the right, and Labour on the left. For an awful lot of us who vote, however, it's not that simple. Take me for example:

1. I generally favour "right leaning" economic policy. I agree with the right that competition in markets generally leads to better markets - promotes research, promotes efficiency, etc. But I fundamentally disagree with the approach the right takes where they seem to think that privatisation of absolutely everything in an attempt to promote competition works. There are certain "markets" where maintaining public ownership and/or heavily regulating is required. Just need to look at what's happened with water (they haven't created competitive markets, they've created localised monopolies and allowed those monopolies to siphon off cash instead of re-investing); rail (again, largely speaking local monopolies that just haven't worked) etc.

2. I generally favour "left leaning" social policy. I agree with the left that society should support those less well off. I think the NHS was a wonderful creation. But I am left wondering if the UKs obsession with a "free at point of use, for everyone" system has resulted in a demonisation of the private sector that could, if used right, help to supplement the public system and take pressure off. The NHS has become so large it's bloated. It's underfunded as well, but also bloated, and it needs reform.

2a. "Green" policy is seen as the preserve of a "left fringe". Which is utterly stupid. Environmentally friendly policy is not a left-vs-right issue. The right has a fundamentally outdated view that pro-environment policy holds back "progress" and economic growth, which has blinded them entirely to the reality that faces us today: which, IMO, is that the biggest area of potential for economic growth is in green policy and green economy.

Neither the Conservatives, nor Labour, represent my views in the UK. Nor, sadly, do the Lib Dems, which is largely because they appear to have accepted their fate to forever be that annoying party in between the two beasts.

Thank you, you are obviously far more educated than me, elegantly put and far better than I could write, a balanced view of the world and what I think every decent person should have as their core values and why as you say people struggle with who to vote for, and feeling disillusioned with nearly all political parties for one reason or another, well said that person, me to a T

 

[junior]

Conservative.

Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

 

[Bridcutt]

Conservative.

Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

It broke.

 

[stewart12]

We got shunted over from the ultra safe Tory seat of Arundel & South Downs to the not so safe West Worthing where I'll be voting Labour

 

[Surrey Phil]

Disappointing to see so many disillusioned people who still feel there is nothing to vote for. I'd argue that given the likely outcome of this election, that participating has never been more important. If the winning party can readily discount the views of 30-35% of the electorate it makes their job a lot easier as they can focus on a narrower band of voters whom they will show an interest in.

Even if you feel your vote is wasted, make them count it anyway. Register your opinion, let the politicians know you are out there and that you do count.

Whether you feel that your constituency is so stacked in favour of one party or the other, go out and get counted anyway. Whether you feel your vote for the Lib Dems, the Greens an Independent, or even Reform if that is who you want, is a wasted one in face of the two main parties, I'd argue it is not. Being counted puts your views on record and builds momentum that can potentially shape policy and elections in the future.

You miss the point. Some people just don’t trust any of the parties and like me, won’t be voting this time around. I genuinely would rather waste my vote than give it to a party I don’t support or trust.

 

[carlzeiss]

I always vote Labour and will be doing so again

 

[GJN1]

You miss the point. Some people just don’t trust any of the parties and like me, won’t be voting this time around. I genuinely would rather waste my vote than give it to a party I don’t support or trust.

At least go along and spoil your ballot paper.

 

[Hotchilidog]

You miss the point. Some people just don’t trust any of the parties and like me, won’t be voting this time around. I genuinely would rather waste my vote than give it to a party I don’t support or trust.

Fair enough.

 

[Thunder Bolt]

Conservative.

Don't fix it if it ain't broke.

The Criminal Justice System is shattered, more than broken. Don't arrest if it's not necessary!!