At the up coming UK general election there’s a realistic possibility of a hung parliament. All serious polls point to a Conservative election win, but with UKIP’s strong showing in the 2009 EU elections and the Tories appearing to be turning their back on Euroscepticism, could Eurosceptic UKIP split the Conservative vote (Eurosceptic Conservative MPs […]
Continue Reading UK General Election Hung Parliament
Liberal Democrats Protest Vote?
I was doing research for the above hung parliament article and read this article from the BBC.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/uk_news/politics/8434972.stm
Nick Clegg faces hung parliament dilemma
“But others – who in the past have voted Lib Dem as a safe protest vote – might balk at the idea of giving them half a grasp on the levers of power.”
I’d never seriously considered a vote for the Liberal Democrats a protest vote, I see parties like the Monster Raving Loony party, Greens and the BNP as places protest voters place their cross dependant on how hard they want to kick the main parties in the teeth (and availability of that party to vote for).
Are there any serious statistics on the number of people who vote Liberal Democrat as a protest vote, or is the BBC news deputy political editor talking out his….
Also I’ve always considered the Liberal Democrat vote as understated because of our first past the post system, as I’ve mentioned before regarding my voting patterns I’d seriously consider voting Lib Dem if in my area it wasn’t a wasted vote (they’ll never gain power where I live).
David
View Comment
A “hung” result for the 2010 General election provides some delicious prospects. Traditionally “hung” parliaments dont “do” anything. While this may not be immediately appealing, on deeper analysis it may proffer the best result. “Hung” Parliaments by their moribund stagnation, cannot raise more tax, injure employers quest for enterprise,infiltrate the education system with “progress,” injure the NHS with “reform” and most importantly set up the country for a real swing back to real true Conservatism (not this modern soppy kind).
View Comment
I really enjoyed your comments. I never considered a vote for the Liberal Democrats a protest or waisted vote, after all they do sometimes have some good policies.I find that the other two major Parties at times tell the electorate what they want to hear. We need clear statements and understanding of all the parties manifestos explaining to the electorate what needs to be done and not what they want to hear.
The one worry I have is that a political party like the BNP will get 3 or 4 candidates elected to local government. I can understand that this may be a protest vote but when these so called politicians get elected for a second time this ceases to be a protest vote.
We desperately need an overhaul of our political system and proportional representation and not first past the post.
View Comment
To vote Labour in for a third term would be suicide. Meely mouthed Gordon Brown and his troops have run Britains reputation and Socio-econmoics into the ground. The ‘New Labour’ party is no longer a working man/woman’s party- where low income citizens pay more tax than a millionaire! Pensioners are worse off now than at any point under the conservative in the 90’s, Gordan Brown was chancellor of the exchequer for 10 years and is somehow blameless for the on-going recession which we havnt seen the full brunt of yet—The best is yet to come? I don’t think so.
Natalie
View Comment
“New Labour party is no longer a working man/woman’s party”.
For the sake of argument lets say you are right Natalie, what’s the alternative for a British voter who cares about working class families?
As it stands we either get a Labour government or a Conservative government with a slim chance of a hung parliament resulting in a coalition government between Labour and the Lib Dems or Conservatives and the Lib Dems.
So pretty much Labour or Conservative in government.
Do you see the Conservatives as the party of the working class?
All the Tory MPs opposed the national minimum wage at every opportunity, even now with it in place there’s Tory MPs trying to get around the national minimum wage with new legislation: Tory MPs tried to put a bill through that employers could refuse to hire people who wouldn’t work for less than national minimum wage! Right now the Conservatives can’t get any legislation through that will damage the national minimum wage, but you give them a majority in parliament and watch workers rights start to slowly degrade!
Conservatives want to remove controls on working conditions on NHS workers (see the working time directive) that will take the NHS back to junior Doctors working dangerously long hours!
Is this what you want for working class British people?
I’ve said it many times, I’m not happy with the Labour party, but look at the alternative, a bunch of Tory multi millionaires who care more about themselves than British workers!
I’m doing well financially and I assume I’d be better off under a Conservative government long term, but then I’m not a selfish “I’m all right Jack” type of person and won’t vote Conservative just because it means less of my money goes to services for the less well off.
If you are well off and don’t care much about others not so well off, vote Conservative by all means. Lets hope with their plans to cut services far harder and faster than Labour doesn’t result in anyone you care about loosing their job and lets hope it doesn’t throw us into a double dip recession and effects our house prices and investments, pensions etc…
David
View Comment
Seeing myself as one who doesn’t follow politics too much I’d like to say thanks. I’ll vote Lib Dem
Deepening recession???? This projection from the OECD doesn’t really match what you’re saying….
‘forecasts today from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development sees UK growth picking up to 3.1%, outpacing the United States, and all other countries in the G7 group of large economies apart from Canada.’
View Comment
Tories are blaming Brown for the recession,but isn’t the whole World in economic crisis?
British Politics is a whole load of guff, no transparancy and gross generalizations at the end of the day no one really knows the party intentions appart from that of their socio-political allignements….and for which case I feel none of which represement me so I therefore choose not to vote what so ever, so there, and thats my protest vote!
So stick that in your boombox
View Comment
Absolutely right on. I can not imagine another 4 term with Brown. He is desperate to say anything now to side with LiDem but Clegg has rightly shut his gop by effectively calling him a liar.
Brown will only look more and more rediculous in the next two TV debate. The fact that he agreed to a live debate has to be the most stupid decision. Why would he be subjected to defending Labour 12+ years records in parliament. This can only be stupid judgement or desperation.
David
View Comment
I frankly dont care as long as gb isnt pm thats all am bothered about
gb thinks new deal creates jobs it does not all it has done is allow employers to use the unemployed as cheap labour especially fife council i did two new deal work placements with them both ending with no job offer further to this i applied for 45 job vacancies with fife council and didnt get one of them possibly due to the fact i put new deal down on the application forms.
after this i removed new deal from my cv and out of 10 jobs applied for got 4 interviews strange dont you think that ommitting new deal got me an interview yet if it was on my cv my application was rejected
hope gb has a removal firm on standby come the general election
i for one wont be voting even if it was compulsory i still would not vote
View Comment
In my area, which was always predominantly Conservative territory, I and others used to vote Lib Dem as a protest vote or possibly tactical voting. There was no way we could have got a Labour MP, who we may have wanted to vote for, so it would have been a wasted vote.
With the current situation and no possibility of registering a ‘No’ vote and don’t find not voting an acceptable option (since it is my right to complain about who gets in) I think a ‘hung parliament is a perfect solution. That way we get many more points of view,should lead to more possibility of getting things right , gives us all a breathing space, whilst the powers that be,sort themselves out, get their act in order and decide what it is they do actually believe in.
A campaign starting now for a hung parliament, would be an excellent strategy. Just don’t vote for Labour or Conservatives, Make sure you use your vote, until we can get an option on the ballot paper for either a straight ‘no’ vote or ‘none of the above’.We can send a loud and clear message about how disillusioned we are with British politics, politicians and the archaic political system we have.
Of course I say ‘we’ speaking for myself and others I know.
I fully accept that there are those with completely opposing POV and respect that.
View Comment
I can see your logic in not voting Conservative or Labour.
Only thing to add to this, if you do plan to make a protest vote please don’t vote BNP. You might be voting BNP just to protest against the main two parties, but the BNP don’t see it that way and more support you give them more likely your area will get a BNP MP!!!!
If you protest vote, go for an independent or if they stand the Monster Raving Loony Party.
Similar for local council elections where a protest vote is more likely and where the BNP have gained some success. Remember if you vote in a BNP councilor they’ll be working on your behalf on local issues! Do you really want people who think this country should be like it was in 1948 (all white) and want to remove your right to vote if you don’t do military service deciding where money is spent in your area!!!
David
View Comment
I have to say that I completely agree with your point of view!
I hope for Labour to be the largest party but falling about 10 short of a majority. That way the nationalist parties will have a hold of them which should be good for Scotland and Wales. Also, it will be Labour who will be imposing cuts, with the Scottish parliament elections next May.
Of course this is all bad news for England – you will probably vote Conservative but find yourself getting Labour policies on health and education because you don’t have a devolved parliament!
View Comment
I think the way forward is to vote LibDem, never been a big voter generally looking at what is best for me with no real allegiance, however the LibDem vote and a hung parliament may just be the thing that saves the country just now. Also voting for them is better than wasting your vote on some of the ‘comedy parties’ (monster raving looneys and BNP come to mind)
A parliament that is fighting for supporters is more likly to do what the people desire (not a guarantee).
Given the fragile nature of the economy both of the main parties in charge are dangerous.
Vote safety vote, vote hung parliament, vote LibDem.
View Comment
I won’t add anything of any real substance, as my veiws have been pretty accuratly described already here by David. However, i just wanted to say that i’m relieved to see that some people still have some common sense intact.
There is always talk of a wasted vote if people vote for the Lib dems. I can’t help but smile when I think of Douglad Adams the hitchhikers guide where people vote lizards in power rather than people to avoid the prospect of the wrong lizard getting in charge.
I also feel Lib dems should use this analogy in their campaign! Of course, Douglad Adams was smart and I’m certain that this is exactly what he was referring to.
View Comment