Tactical Voting in the Election

[Deleted member 2719]

I couldn't vote for someone I don't support. I just believe that's wrong and symptomatic of the negative politics we seem to be burdened with on all sides.

I agree, isn't it just like diving in the penalty area without being touched.

I suppose this thread will just show some of the NSC true colours and values.

 

[Moshe Gariani]

I am seriously torn here. Whilst l would normally do everything possible to prevent another Tory Prime Minister returning to Downing Street, my constituency, Arun and South Downs, hasn't elected anything other than a Conservative ever since Noah was a boy. so there is little l can do to change that.

That being the case l'm tempted to just vote with my heart, and being a passionate supporter of the EU, may just plump for our Green Party candidate, as part of their manifesto is to scrap Brexit, and remain members of the European Union.

Frustrating that your vote won't make any difference either way... but at least you get to vote for your preferred party/candidate.

In Eastbourne I am going to vote for Stephen Lloyd even though I massively would prefer to support Labour for both national and local reasons.

 

[The Large One]

You're right it's YO. Not mine.

It's an opinion based on fact though. In fact, it is a fact.

If you're in a constituency where your preferred choice has no chance of winning, your vote counts for nothing. That's not democracy. Democracy is where every vote counts.

Irrespective of how brainless and needless the EU referendum was, every vote counted, and some people didn't realise this. Some (not that many, but enough of the disenfranchised) voted as a 'protest vote'. In a referendum, you don't have 'protest vote' as your vote actually counts. In a general election with a series of 'safe seats' (of whatever colour), people would just vote for 'oh... them', like it didn't matter. That's awful.

Hence tactical voting is deemed necessary, not so much to vote in who you want, but often to vote out who you don't want. What an appalling state of affairs the FPTP presents. The fact it has been about for so long doesn't, in itself, justify its continuation.

 

[The Large One]

I wasn't going to vote until a few weeks ago and then saw JC actually making an impression and gave me the thought that I would vote.

Then I saw that Labour are represented in my area by Sophie Cook - I won't be voting.

Why? What's wrong with her?

 

[mejonaNO12 aka riskit]

This may have been touched upon already but I heard on the latest guardian election podcast that there is a "vote swap" website.

As I understand it, the basic concept is that if you feel your vote is "wasted" you can register this online, for example the lib dems are the best chance over overturning a tory, but you want to vote labour.

Someone else (who wants to vote lib dem in their respective area but feel it is wasted) will see your situation and agree to "swap" votes. Ie they will vote Labour on the understanding you vote Lib Dem.

It's obviously a trust-based scheme but I wasn't sure how I felt morally about that.

 

[Cowfold Seagull]

Not really, IMO - its more just an inevitable product of our FPTP electoral system.

Which urgently needs changing.

 

[Bozza]

It's an opinion based on fact though. In fact, it is a fact.

If you're in a constituency where your preferred choice has no chance of winning, your vote counts for nothing. That's not democracy. Democracy is where every vote counts.

Irrespective of how brainless and needless the EU referendum was, every vote counted, and some people didn't realise this. Some (not that many, but enough of the disenfranchised) voted as a 'protest vote'. In a referendum, you don't have 'protest vote' as your vote actually counts. In a general election with a series of 'safe seats' (of whatever colour), people would just vote for 'oh... them', like it didn't matter. That's awful.

Hence tactical voting is deemed necessary, not so much to vote in who you want, but often to vote out who you don't want. What an appalling state of affairs the FPTP presents. The fact it has been about for so long doesn't, in itself, justify its continuation.

Lots of words. Mine: I disagree.

 

[whitelion]

Why? What's wrong with her?

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...mp-sophie-cook-general-election-a7712286.html

A Labour Party candidate standing in the forthcoming general election could become the first openly transgender MP in Parliament’s history.

Sophie Cook, an RAF engineer turned TV presenter, will contest the seat of East Worthing and Shoreham, which has been held by the Tories for two decades.

The 50-year-old equality campaigner, who has three children, began transitioning in 1998 but only came out in 2015.


Ms Cook, who is also a photographer for Bournemouth football club, spoke of her “mental anguish” at transitioning from a man to a woman.

Speaking to The Independent, she said transgender people were underrepresented at all levels of society and that she had decided to stand as a Labour candidate as it was the “party of diversity”.

“It's vitally important that Parliament reflects the diversity of our society, with members from all walks of life regardless of gender, sexuality, gender identity, race, religion and disability,” she said.

“We need to strive for a world where difference is celebrated rather than one where it's used to divide people and cause hatred.

“Transgender people have been sadly underrepresented at all levels of society in the past and faced abuse, discrimination and bigotry.

 

[The Large One]

Incidentally, in answer to the original question - no, I won't be voting tactically.

I'll be voting for the current incumbent.

 

[The Large One]

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/u...mp-sophie-cook-general-election-a7712286.html

A Labour Party candidate standing in the forthcoming general election could become the first openly transgender MP in Parliament’s history.

Sophie Cook, an RAF engineer turned TV presenter, will contest the seat of East Worthing and Shoreham, which has been held by the Tories for two decades. The 50-year-old equality campaigner, who has three children, began transitioning in 1998 but only came out in 2015.

Ms Cook, who is also a photographer for Bournemouth football club, spoke of her “mental anguish” at transitioning from a man to a woman. Speaking to The Independent, she said transgender people were underrepresented at all levels of society and that she had decided to stand as a Labour candidate as it was the “party of diversity”.

“It's vitally important that Parliament reflects the diversity of our society, with members from all walks of life regardless of gender, sexuality, gender identity, race, religion and disability,” she said.

“We need to strive for a world where difference is celebrated rather than one where it's used to divide people and cause hatred. Transgender people have been sadly underrepresented at all levels of society in the past and faced abuse, discrimination and bigotry.

“This is beginning to change but it is only by working towards a day when everyone can be free to live their life free of discrimination that we will have true equality.”

“Labour is the party of diversity and I believe that it is vitally important that we continue to ensure that LGBT rights are enshrined in law and that only by publicly standing up for those rights will we make this country a place where our children can be free to grow up without fear.”

Conservative MP Tim Loughton has represented the seat since 1997 and won a majority of 14,949 at the last election. Labour was left in second place with 19.5 per cent of the vote, while the Tories secured almost 50 per cent.



OK. I've read it a couple of times, and you've lost me. So I'll ask again - what's wrong with her?

 

[Simster]

There is no point voting tactically in true blue Reigate as Blunt has an enormous majority with UKIP, Green, Labour and Lib Dem all fairly even way behind him.

I'd vote Labour if they had a better chance of keeping the conservatives out than anyone else, not least because they have actually bothered to canvas on doorsteps, but my heart tells me to vote for one of the two pro-EU parties, the Greens or Lib Dems. At this point, I'll probably vote Green.

Lots of words. Mine: I disagree.

I really can't see anything to disagree with TLO on this particular point. This election will be one and lost in the key marginals. Everywhere else, your vote really doesn't count for much.

 

[Herr Tubthumper]

An outdated and undemocratic system which engenders tactical voting. If needs must.

 

[whitelion]

A Labour Party candidate standing in the forthcoming general election could become the first openly transgender MP in Parliament’s history.

Sophie Cook, an RAF engineer turned TV presenter, will contest the seat of East Worthing and Shoreham, which has been held by the Tories for two decades. The 50-year-old equality campaigner, who has three children, began transitioning in 1998 but only came out in 2015.

Ms Cook, who is also a photographer for Bournemouth football club, spoke of her “mental anguish” at transitioning from a man to a woman. Speaking to The Independent, she said transgender people were underrepresented at all levels of society and that she had decided to stand as a Labour candidate as it was the “party of diversity”.

“It's vitally important that Parliament reflects the diversity of our society, with members from all walks of life regardless of gender, sexuality, gender identity, race, religion and disability,” she said.

“We need to strive for a world where difference is celebrated rather than one where it's used to divide people and cause hatred. Transgender people have been sadly underrepresented at all levels of society in the past and faced abuse, discrimination and bigotry.

“This is beginning to change but it is only by working towards a day when everyone can be free to live their life free of discrimination that we will have true equality.”

“Labour is the party of diversity and I believe that it is vitally important that we continue to ensure that LGBT rights are enshrined in law and that only by publicly standing up for those rights will we make this country a place where our children can be free to grow up without fear.”

Conservative MP Tim Loughton has represented the seat since 1997 and won a majority of 14,949 at the last election. Labour was left in second place with 19.5 per cent of the vote, while the Tories secured almost 50 per cent.



OK. I've read it a couple of times, and you've lost me. So I'll ask again - what's wrong with her?

It would be a circus.

 

[Stat Brother]

Arundel and South Downs is so blue that my vote has never been effective in my whole adult lifetime. I have been constructively disenfranchised. That said, I'd have no qualms about voting tactically in a seat that had even the vaguest prospect of ousting aTory incumbent.

The same applies to those of us more southern than you, living in Worthing West.
Nevertheless I was curious as to what the http://www.progressivealliance.org.uk/ site suggested I did with my vote.

The reply was words to the effect of:-

'Nothing you can do, so try helping a campaign somewhere else'.

 

[BBassic]

I'm not because Labour is likely to get in where I am but I would be if circumstances were different.

 

[nickbrighton]

i feel that this is effectively vote rigging, whichever party it favours. Tactical voting and also candidates standing down to allow another parties candidate to do better than they otherwise would. In my constituency (650 majority for Blue) there is no Green Party Candidate, I had an election leaflet from the Green party candidate explaining he wasn't standing to give Labour a better chance,thus disenfranchising those who wanted to register a green vote. I believe the UKIP candidate has also stood down, so maybe the effect will be cancelled out, however this is as undemocratic as others say the FPTP system is. The country voted on proportional voting and rejected it, this is the system we have, not perfect but miles better than a constant revolving government as one group falls out with another.

 

[Simster]

i feel that this is effectively vote rigging, whichever party it favours. Tactical voting and also candidates standing down to allow another parties candidate to do better than they otherwise would. In my constituency (650 majority for Blue) there is no Green Party Candidate, I had an election leaflet from the Green party candidate explaining he wasn't standing to give Labour a better chance,thus disenfranchising those who wanted to register a green vote. I believe the UKIP candidate has also stood down, so maybe the effect will be cancelled out, however this is as undemocratic as others say the FPTP system is. The country voted on proportional voting and rejected it, this is the system we have, not perfect but miles better than a constant revolving government as one group falls out with another.

No they didn't. We voted on a system called "alternative vote".

 

[Meade's Ball]

I won't need to on this occasion, but I very much would if elsewhere. Overall, you vote for the party that you are closest to, rather than the one that entirely speaks your mind. You have to be pretty blind to defend a party's every move or statement. And ideally we have to be flexible enough to turn our backs on a party if they are to bring something in so horrific. If Labour ever got in again, and were hideously unloving, or overtly attached to a global fiend, then I wouldn't vote for them, and haven't for such reasons. A badge is detachable.

 

[BBassic]

It would be a circus.

In what sense?

 

[CHAPPERS]

i feel that this is effectively vote rigging, whichever party it favours. Tactical voting and also candidates standing down to allow another parties candidate to do better than they otherwise would. In my constituency (650 majority for Blue) there is no Green Party Candidate, I had an election leaflet from the Green party candidate explaining he wasn't standing to give Labour a better chance,thus disenfranchising those who wanted to register a green vote. I believe the UKIP candidate has also stood down, so maybe the effect will be cancelled out, however this is as undemocratic as others say the FPTP system is. The country voted on proportional voting and rejected it, this is the system we have, not perfect but miles better than a constant revolving government as one group falls out with another.

When you've got the full weight of the right wing, non dom owned press who are willing to slander and outright lie in their pages for their own gain on one side I think a bit of tactical voting merely levels the playing field a tiny bit.