A Labour canvasser has just been round (again). Different one this time.

"Good Evening, Sir" he said. "Good Evening", I replied

"Will you be voting Labour?" he enquired. "Of Course" said I.

He obviously did not recognise the sarcastic tone in my voice, because he continued .... "Would you display a poster?"

"Yes", I responded. "Do you have one that says NO B-LIARS HERE?"

He left before I could ask if they had any more election material that I could have, as I wanted to try out my new shredder.

(Only 18 days of B-Liar left !)

This is all very well ITK but who in hell else is there?
I voted Lib Dem last time simply because of the Iraq war but they are no better and I don't trust Cameron at all.

There is no-one better, JK.

In the last two General Elections, I have voted for the Monster Raving Loonies, simply because I think it is important to turn up and exercise your democratic rights.

If there were only the three main parties to choose from, I would simply have spoilt my ballot paper.

All rather depressing.

I think the real problem JK has been the huge majoirty which Labour has had. It turned democracy into a dictatorship. Opposition was futile as they could get their way no matter how much opposition there was.

I honestly believe the next election will be different. Labour are in meltdown (they lost over 100 seats at the last election and will lose even more this time).

The Lib Dems and the Tories will both gain 20/25 seats each. That puts all three parties about level.(Interestingly, in the recent Populus poll for the Times, the "other" parties - Greens etc - had a 14% stake, which could turn out to be very significant).

I don't think it matters who wins the next election - they will not have a large majority and will have to win over people from other parties to get almost any measure through.

The parties will (and can) work together when it's clear that the proposals are right, fair and honest.

No more barnstorming ludicrous Bills through the Commons - simply because the dictator has the power to do it?

ITK - why aren't YOU standing as a candidate?

Obviously you are in a much better position than the established parties to tackle all the things you see as wrong-minded.

It would be much better to actually put your money where your mouth is, so to speak, than simply be an armchair general.

The faults with the present system and it's participants are easy to spot and quote, it is far more to proffer solutions.

What are your solutions, what is your manifesto to stand for office?

zooloo wrote:
ITK - why aren't YOU standing as a candidate?

It would be much better to actually put your money where your mouth is, so to speak, than simply be an armchair general.

I was asked to stand for the Council for the Liberals (as they were then) many years ago - but was too busy with other things.

However, now that I have a little more time ...... Watch this space ! (Send in your requests for Peerages now - and be first in the queue !)

Anthony wrote:
If there were only the three main parties to choose from, I would simply have spoilt my ballot paper.

All rather depressing.

I feel quite angry when people say they will vote for people like the BNP (what are their policies on education, health, taxes, environment etc etc?).

I do, though, think that a wasted vote is a lost opportunity. Whilever people say "I'd like to vote for X but they won't get in" - they miss the point, no one will "get in" until they show what they stand for and gather support, will they?

The first past the post system we have in the UK nearly always leads to a temporary dictatorship. On occasions when a smaller party held the balance the parties are very inept at using it.

What I would like on my ballot paper is a "None of the above" option.

There is no party I feel content to vote for and voting "against" the others is pretty much what my choice comes to.

I don't want to waste my vote, I want to register my opinion and the only way for that is an "Abstain" option.

The point I was making is that voter apathy is an increasing problem in this country.

I advocate either voting for a joke party or spoiling your paper.

A significant proportion of deliberately spoilt ballot papers, contrary to being a wasted vote, would send out a definite message to our politicians that they need to get their act together.

... or Proportional Representation ?

It's high time Proportional Representation was brought in, but we have no option to vote it in. And with New Labour and New Tory no more likely to want it than the old versions, an Abstain option, or a proactively spoilt paper would at least be a signal that we want change.

I think PR is one way to get a hung Parliament. Not sure it's a good way to go. Italy had PR for many years and didn't begin to get a stable government until they dumped it in 1993.

Just had the news today that there is no contest in my region. For the first time that I can remember, I won't be required to vote. Two positions, two candidates.

If you had stood you could have got in automatically? (Most ares have 3 candidates, don't they?)

In my area the Tories have given up the ghost - not a singler candidate standing.

Anthony wrote:
It's high time Proportional Representation was brought in, but we have no option to vote it in.

They will sonn be very keen indeed once they realise that they don't have any chance with the old system !

A "split" Parliament next time is the best way to get consensual government.