Calling all 'protest voters'! Who do you vote for and why?
Discuss issues related to the politics of the UK, such as the actions of any MP, any current or potential law, or any other factor affecting the British political system.
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Calling all 'protest voters'! Who do you vote for and why?I've seen a lot of posts saying that for the sake of protest, they'l be voting for x party. Most of the time the vote goes to UKIP or BNP or Green party, but who do you vote for if you are protesting, if at all? Does it matter if you are protesting about particular things?
I've never understood the protest vote. I've always thought that you vote for the best party for your own interests. If you don't like the gov at the moment, then vote for the opposition, right? -
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Re: Calling all 'protest voters'! Who do you vote for and why?I will vote UKIP, initially I thought of it as a protest vote but in reality I agree with them more than any other party anyway. UKIP might not gain power but they could force the Conservatives back to the right a bit or UKIP could end up gaining influence upon them, which could add some more right wing and libertarian ideas to the party.(Original post by angrydanmarin)
I've seen a lot of posts saying that for the sake of protest, they'l be voting for x party. Most of the time the vote goes to UKIP or BNP or Green party, but who do you vote for if you are protesting, if at all? Does it matter if you are protesting about particular things?
I've never understood the protest vote. I've always thought that you vote for the best party for your own interests. If you don't like the gov at the moment, then vote for the opposition, right? -
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Re: Calling all 'protest voters'! Who do you vote for and why?I was thinking of voting BNP in the next Swindon council elections in protest of all those millions wasted on traffic lights when it could've been roundabouts with temp lights and that awful road layout they built.
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Re: Calling all 'protest voters'! Who do you vote for and why?The logic of a protest vote is to show the main parties that there are votes available to them if they address a certain issue. Let's assume a party was set up with the sole aim of legalising assisted suicide. Clearly the main parties are all taking the piss with this issue, but if the assisted suicide party got 3% of the vote (so still with no chance of getting into power) then any of the main parties see they could increase their vote share by that 3% by taking on that policy too. Of course, they have to take into account how many of their current voters might leave them if they adopt that policy.
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Re: Calling all 'protest voters'! Who do you vote for and why?The reality is for many people - people vote for the least worst option, rather than because they positively favour one party. I think protest voting is a way around this, people are putting the finger up to all parties, rather than giving up their honour to vote for the least worst option.
