NotApathetic is closed to new submissions. The site is available as an archive for you to browse. Find out more...

Not Apathetic

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

They're not voting because...

Spoil your paper intelligently

I am writing "None of These" across my ballot paper to spoil it deliberately. Enough people doing this undermines the mandate of a corrupt self serving political system

written 7th Apr 2005

Responses

Eric replies: It may undermine the mandate, though I doubt that, but what does it do to actually change the system? It strikes me as that the technique is vote whinging. If you can't find a party that represents you, why don't you start one?

written 7th Apr 2005

Steve replies: If ENOUGH people do it, instead of simply not turning out to vote, the mandate (not just of the winning party but of parliament generally) is inevitably undermined and the system would have to be changed.

Starting a new party to represent your views sounds like a good idea in theory, but you have overlooked the fact that our political system was designed to (and largely still succeeds in) protecting the interests of the two main parties and their various cronies.

Look how long it took the LibDems to gain any kind of foothold - the problems of this country are much more urgent than that !!

written 7th Apr 2005

Gareth replies: It is a very British attitude to winge and do nothing constructive and this is what Not voting is as far as I can see. I quote All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is that good men do nothing All systems and organisations can change. It terms of political organisation there is a balancing act to be understood. Rapid political change causes instability, long term organic growth is the best solution. I agree that the current political parties are not representitive. The only way to change things is to make your choice based on your best bet (MP) and then start educating and communicating with them. Pick the one who will listen/change. The question is how can you get them to change not "I'm not joining in so there" How many times have you contacted or contributed to the political arena. Them and us needs to change to us. If enough people were politically active then change is possible. There is no magic wand.

written 7th Apr 2005

Zak replies: "and the system would have to be changed."

If you want to change the system then you could vote and/or support LibDem. They'd offer a vote on PR for the House of Commons.

written 7th Apr 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.

Search