They're not voting because...
- I don't want my vote to count for Tony Blair
I don't want my vote to count as support of either Tony Blair or Scottish independence. (The SNP are the only viable opposition in my constituency.)
written 7th Apr 2005
Responses
-
Tom Kiehl replies: But you can cast a vote for one of the other parties. They may not win your seat but the parties receive post-election funding based on the overall share of the vote they get. This means that you are strengthening the party you are voting for ability to campaign against the other parties even if you do not get an MP for your constituency from your vote.
written 7th Apr 2005 -
Jack replies: Parties receive funding based on the number of votes they receive ! Is this true ?! This is absurd, how does that create a fair and level playing field for debate?
written 7th Apr 2005 -
Mike Holt replies: Parliamentary Parties receive funding in the form of "Short" money for the Commons and "Cranborne" money for the Lords which covers staffing and research costs. Therefore, using the example given above if you are a Tory or Lib Dem in an SNP/Labour fight you can vote for your party and they will get something out of it. This dispells the myth that voting for an established party outside of a two horserace is a wasted voted.
written 7th Apr 2005 -
Jonathan Wax replies: If Jack is taken aback by parties getting funding based on the amount of votes they receive then surely that is as good a reason as any to level the playing field out a bit more by voting.
written 7th Apr 2005 -
Rod replies: I wrote the original entry. Thanks for changing my mind. The Lib Dems will now be getting a vote from me in Ochil.
written 15th Apr 2005