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Not Apathetic

Tell the world why you're not voting - don't let your silence go unheard

They're not voting because...

I voted in the last two general elections...

I voted in the last two general elections, and have a keen interest in politics, but will not be voting in this election.

I am a 26 year old, single male, working professional, who would probably be classed as a high earner. I work for a City institution, and live in Vauxhall, South London. However I am on the electoral register at my parents' address, in Halesowen (strongly labour, but badly affected by the collapse of Rover in nearby Longbridge).

Like many people, I am choosing not to vote as a protest. There is too much focus on certain groups, primarily the Little Englanders, and the parties do little to engage people like myself. I would vote liberal democrat if the candidate has a realistic chance to get elected, but that is not the case. What the election process needs is some method to register such a protest against the candidates that are standing - a "re-open nominations" or "none of the above" category. This would distinguish between apathy and conscious decisions not to vote for the major political parties.

written 4th May 2005

Responses

Rich replies: I agree with what you're saying to some extent but I still think you're ducking your responsibility. Vote Lib Dem and get the percentage of support for them up in both your constituency and nationally. You won't have a LD MP but you will create momentum for the party and the issues they represent. We don't have proportional representation but it doesn't mean that EVERY single vote shows up in the post election polls. If 25 or 30% of the electorate voted LD instead of 20 then it might not change the government but it would send the message that Labour and Tory policies are not entirely representative. And who knows, if you vote this year it might be a close enough contest at the next election that all the other people who think like you choose to finally vote the way they feel instead of feeling apathetic.

written 4th May 2005

JonSon replies: In theory ,it would be a great idea to have a Re-Open Nominations option on our ballot papers, to show our dissatisfaction towards the candidates standing. In practice however, it's not really a practical way forward.

What action would be taken if R.O.N. was to receive the majority of votes? There would possibly be a second round of voting, which would mean our electoral system begins to resemble the convoluted Conservative leadership ballot...not a desireable option.

I too work in the City and fit almost exactly the same demographic as the original poster (apart from the fact I come from another Labour stronghold - the North East), however I wouldn't even consider voting Lib Dem as a protest due to their proposed Local Income Tax.

written 4th May 2005

About Not Apathetic

NotApathetic was built so that people who are planning not to vote in the UK General Election on May 5th can tell the world why. We won't try to persuade you that voting is a good or a bad idea - we're just here to record and share your explanations. Whether ideological, practical or other, any reason will do.

A lot of users would like us to mention that if you spoil your ballot paper, it will be counted. So if you want to record a vote for "none of the above", you can.

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