How will you vote?

[leginten]

Only six days to go, so here's a fairly straightforward poll. It's a secret ballot, so it's not a public poll. Having made the assumption that most people reading this will be voting in a Scottish constituency, I've named the parties which are fielding more than ten candidates in Scotland. There's an "other" option for the rest, and an "undecided" option for the floaters. I wonder if the latter will end up being the most popular option.

[2NaFish]

still not sure. its narrowed to lib dem or labour though.

[Commander Harris]

these polls in the past have shown that there is a disproportionally high number of SNP supporters that vote on JKB polls, I expect this poll will be pretty much the same. ?

[leginten]

these polls in the past have shown that there is a disproportionally high number of SNP supporters that vote on JKB polls, I expect this poll will be pretty much the same.

 

Maybe so. When it comes to next Thursday, I think the SNP (and Plaid Cymru) are going to lose seats. Plaid Cymru's ratings in opinion polls have apparently dropped while the Lib Dems' popularity in Wales has gone up.

I think the SNP would bite your hand off if you offered them retention of their six Westminster seats right now.

[Danny Wilde]

Good stuff. Lets make sure this is the one, the only and the final JKB "poll of voting intentions" that takes us up to 10PM on Thursday.

[P-Dizzle]

My constituency has been a strong Lib Dem seat for many years, so I'll be voting for them because they've been good in the community and I'd like to see the Lib Dems push as far as they can in this election. Maybe even opposition.

 

I'm not going to vote for Labour because that would just take away a vote from the Lib Dems, and I'm not sure how the Conservatives fare in Edinburgh West. But I don't want them getting anywhere near the seat.

[leginten]

My constituency is Edinburgh North and Leith, a safe Labour seat since its creation in 1997 but with an ever-declining majority which currently stands at little over 2000. It wouldn't take a seismic swing to the Lib Dems to overturn it (the Tories and the SNP are nowhere here).

 

The natural choice for a supporter of electoral reform and long-standing floating voter such as myself is therefore the tactical vote for the Lib Dems (I don't float in the direction of Labour or the Conservatives). It won't be happening though. I'm so disillusioned by the entirely unfair and (in my view) undemocratic boost the Lib Dems have received from the televised debates that I will instead be driven into the waiting arms of one of the no-hoper parties here - either Green or SNP.

 

As it has done in every General Election I've ever voted in, my vote will go in the bin. Wasted journey. At this juncture, a spoiled ballot paper is looking quite an attractive option.

[P-Dizzle]

Do you have the numbers for Edinburgh West, leginten? I'd be interested to know how strong the Lib Dem majority really is.

[The People's Chimp]

As it has done in every General Election I've ever voted in, my vote will go in the bin. Wasted journey. At this juncture, a spoiled ballot paper is looking quite an attractive option.

 

I can confirm that "NONE OF THE ABOVE" is a satisfying end to what is seemingly a wasted journey, but is in reality the only means of expressing ones contempt of everything you've mentioned in your post.

[leginten]

Do you have the numbers for Edinburgh West, leginten? I'd be interested to know how strong the Lib Dem majority really is.

 

Here's the history:

 

http://en.wikipedia....t_constituency)

[Commander Harris]

General Election 2005: Edinburgh West

Party Candidate Votes % ?%

Liberal Democrat John Barrett 22,417 49.5% +11.2

Conservative David Brogan 8,817 19.5% -2.2

Labour Navraj Singh Ghaleigh 8,433 18.6% -7.9

SNP Sheena Cleland 4,124 9.1% -1.6

Scottish Green Ailsa Spindler 964 2.1% +2.1

Scottish Socialist Gary Clark 510 1.1% -1.0

Majority 13,600 30.0%

Turnout 45,265 68.9 +5.4

[Howdy Doody Jambo]

How can anybody vote for any of the top 3 parties ?

They are all as bad as each other Lib Dems want to keep all the illegals immigrants while the tax-payer picks up the bill for their new flats and plasma tellys ! Would they have any power to pass through their manifesto policys ?

How can anybody vote Conservative after the years of shrewding Scotland to pieces , destroying many great industries , treating us a guinea pig for the poll-tax and mass unemployment just like the Labour party has also destroyed this land by diluting our culture for the pc who are not allowed to mention the I word . Also mass unemployment , inviting many foreigners when the country is full in order to encourage cheap labour while they send our troops to a war for what for the last 8 year . They allow the bank-rupt government owned bankers to write their own made up figured bonus / failure cheques , i could go on

Will it be any better under smuggy Cameron ?

The raving loony party could do no worse

SNP or BNP for me , both parties that care for the man on the street .

 

 

[leginten]

I can confirm that "NONE OF THE ABOVE" is a satisfying end to what is seemingly a wasted journey, but is in reality the only means of expressing ones contempt of everything you've mentioned in your post.

 

It would be interesting to know what the reaction would be if a substantial proportion of voters in any constituency did this. Anyone know if it has ever happened?

[P-Dizzle]

General Election 2005: Edinburgh West

Party Candidate Votes % ?%

Liberal Democrat John Barrett 22,417 49.5% +11.2

Conservative David Brogan 8,817 19.5% -2.2

Labour Navraj Singh Ghaleigh 8,433 18.6% -7.9

SNP Sheena Cleland 4,124 9.1% -1.6

Scottish Green Ailsa Spindler 964 2.1% +2.1

Scottish Socialist Gary Clark 510 1.1% -1.0

Majority 13,600 30.0%

Turnout 45,265 68.9 +5.4

 

That's what I've been looking for. I've looked at that wiki entry a number of times, never looked that far down.

 

Poor show by me.

 

It's a clear Lib Dem majority, with Conservative and Labour almost level. I'm not sure how that'll change in this election. But it's pritty much confirmed my vote.

 

Thanks.

[2NaFish]

It would be interesting to know what the reaction would be if a substantial proportion of voters in any constituency did this. Anyone know if it has ever happened?

 

Just once, but it worked dammit.

[Big D]

For once Labour could be toiling in their traditional "safe" seats. They no longer have the activists on the ground, and their ability to drag pensioners out their houses and harangue them all the way to the ballot box will be severely curtailed. I have no doubt the postal votes share will be heavily weighted towards Labour and totally out of kilter with the actual votes cast. However, if you want to drag U.K. politics into the 21st century, you will have to vote for a party in favour of PR. Anyone who believes in a modern democracy cannot in all conscience vote for LabCon candidates. They have last century policies for last century thinkers.

[shaun.lawson]

How can anybody vote for any of the top 3 parties ?

They are all as bad as each other Lib Dems want to keep all the illegals immigrants while the tax-payer picks up the bill for their new flats and plasma tellys !

 

Right. Let's deal with this point. At present, the whole immigration system in this country is a shambles, there are loads of illegal immigrants, and the government does not know where they live. Can you explain how we go about deporting people when we don't know where they are?

 

Many of these immigrants have been trafficked into the country and are trapped in gangs: which is awful for them, and means the public purse doesn't benefit in any way either. So by allowing those who've been here for ten years or more to stay, making them do some community service and making them pay tax, we'll get the benefit of their work. How can anyone seriously object to this?

 

Would you rather things remained as they are, with us unable to deport illegal immigrants and with them exploited and not paying tax?

[Hound]

I am going for the lib dems

[P-Dizzle]

Many of these immigrants have been trafficked into the country and are trapped in gangs: which is awful for them, and means the public purse doesn't benefit in any way either.

 

It costs more to fund Immigration services and Police to fight against the illegal immigrants, than it would to bring these people out of criminal hands and into the tax system.

[Carl Weathers]

SNP.

[Ray Gin]

Just voted for Liberals earlier today via postal ballot.

[I.J]

I'll vote by going into the little booth, slapping my ****** on the voting card and drawing around it in marker pen before sticking the card in the metal box.

 

Alternatively, I might just wait until Thursday to see what the Sun says and vote that way.

 

After all, a billionaire Australian knows better than me.

[I.J]

That's what I've been looking for. I've looked at that wiki entry a number of times, never looked that far down.

 

Poor show by me.

 

It's a clear Lib Dem majority, with Conservative and Labour almost level. I'm not sure how that'll change in this election. But it's pritty much confirmed my vote.

 

Thanks.

 

It will change though, as we only have 4 choices at this election.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/826.stm

 

"Democracy" at it's best.

[shaun.lawson]

It will change though, as we only have 4 choices at this election.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/826.stm

 

"Democracy" at it's best.

 

I.J demands to know where the Monster Raving Loony candidate is. Their policies include:

 

- 99p flakes to rise to ?1 because of inflation

 

- A compulsory following wind for all cyclists

 

And many, many more.

[Guest Atticus]

I'll vote by going into the little booth, slapping my ****** on the voting card and drawing around it in marker pen before sticking the card in the metal box.

 

great stuff.

[P-Dizzle]

It will change though, as we only have 4 choices at this election.

 

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/election2010/results/constituency/826.stm

 

"Democracy" at it's best.

 

I got the Tory postal message today, there was no mention of the Conservatives untill the very bottom. With that change bullshit printed along the bottom.

 

******* hate the Torys. I might go for a dickvote too. Not going to wash all week so there's a fair amount of smeg when i smash it down.

[I.J]

I.J demands to know where the Monster Raving Loony candidate is. Their policies include:

 

- 99p flakes to rise to ?1 because of inflation

 

- A compulsory following wind for all cyclists

 

And many, many more.

 

 

Honestly though Shaun, do you think it's healthy that in a general election that I and many others in my constituency only have 4 choices - 3 of whom are there for show? Maybe next time it will be 3 candidates. Then after?

 

 

 

 

[shaun.lawson]

Honestly though Shaun, do you think it's healthy that in a general election that I and many others in my constituency only have 4 choices - 3 of whom are there for show? Maybe next time it will be 3 candidates. Then after?

 

Given you have a choice of Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP, the only ones who are missing are the Greens really - who I assume you'd never vote for on aesthetic grounds. But if you want more parties and more choice, vote Lib Dem and get PR!

[portobellojambo1]

I just had to check my polling card to see what constituency I'm now in, I thought it was Edinburgh West, but it is actually Edinburgh South West.

 

I haven't decided yet if I'll vote or not, if I do I'll be casting my vote in favour of The Conservative Party (they haven't been at the door yet mind you, someone from Labour appeared and I informed him nobody was home and shut the door, the SNP crew got told to feck off. Not seen anyone from the Liberal Democrats yet either).

 

Suppose it depends if there is something decent on the telly Thursday night, if there is I won't be venturing out.

[leginten]

Given you have a choice of Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP, the only ones who are missing are the Greens really - who I assume you'd never vote for on aesthetic grounds. But if you want more parties and more choice, vote Lib Dem and get PR!

 

That's the thing that appeals to me about the Lib Dems. But, unless I'm mistaken, we haven't heard a lot about it in this campaign.

[shaun.lawson]

That's the thing that appeals to me about the Lib Dems. But, unless I'm mistaken, we haven't heard a lot about it in this campaign.

 

There was quite a lot of talk about it last weekend. We haven't mentioned it as much as before because, well, the economy's everyone's main priority really. But if there's no deal on PR, I can't see us going into coalition with anyone.

[Tommy Wiseau]

Honestly though Shaun, do you think it's healthy that in a general election that I and many others in my constituency only have 4 choices - 3 of whom are there for show? Maybe next time it will be 3 candidates. Then after?

 

 

That's embarrassing; especially with John Barrett stepping down this time. A great opportunity for a couple of independents or minority parties to step up and try to make some kind of an impact. Edinburgh West is like an election-free zone this year, aside from the usual flyers through letterboxes.

 

You might as well save the time and money of all concerned and give the Lib Dems the seat now.

[I.J]

Given you have a choice of Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP, the only ones who are missing are the Greens really - who I assume you'd never vote for on aesthetic grounds. But if you want more parties and more choice, vote Lib Dem and get PR!

 

 

A very political answer.

 

It's not just me affected though. Maybe a fair amount of people in the constituency would like to vote Green?

 

Certainly, despite their aesthetics I'd rather vote them than any of the above in a General Election.

 

In a Scottish election, ok it changes.

 

It's still a bit less than democratic though. As a matter of interest (because I genuinely don't know) is charging a deposit for prospective candidates the norm around the world?

 

 

 

 

[Big D]

Given you have a choice of Tory, Labour, Lib Dem and SNP, the only ones who are missing are the Greens really - who I assume you'd never vote for on aesthetic grounds. But if you want more parties and more choice, vote Lib Dem and get PR!

 

The majority of Parties in this election support PR Sean. What kind of deal are you lot prepared to accept from the OF parties to ensure you are allowed to propose PR for Westminster.

[portobellojambo1]

The majority of Parties in this election support PR Sean. What kind of deal are you lot prepared to accept from the OF parties to ensure you are allowed to propose PR for Westminster.

 

Are Rangers and Celtic standing !!!!!!!

[shaun.lawson]

The majority of Parties in this election support PR Sean. What kind of deal are you lot prepared to accept from the OF parties to ensure you are allowed to propose PR for Westminster.

 

I don't know - but PR's a sine qua non for all Lib Dems I've ever met. It's precisely because Cameron would never agree to it that I can't see us ending up in coalition with the Tories - and I doubt a coalition with Labour (led by someone other than Brown, of course) would have any credibility with the electorate.

[shaun.lawson]

A very political answer.

 

It's not just me affected though. Maybe a fair amount of people in the constituency would like to vote Green?

 

Certainly, despite their aesthetics I'd rather vote them than any of the above in a General Election.

 

In a Scottish election, ok it changes.

 

It's still a bit less than democratic though. As a matter of interest (because I genuinely don't know) is charging a deposit for prospective candidates the norm around the world?

 

I don't know either - but would assume so. I do agree there should be a Green candidate: that there isn't is because smaller parties (including the Lib Dems) naturally pool their resources towards areas they're most likely to do well in. In the Greens' case, that means Brighton, Norwich or Oxford - but it's all yet another argument for PR.

 

Incidentally: a good number of the recounts next week won't be because of desperately close constituencies; but to establish whether smaller parties have reached the 5% needed to save their deposits.

[blairdin]

My constituency is Edinburgh North and Leith, a safe Labour seat since its creation in 1997 but with an ever-declining majority which currently stands at little over 2000. It wouldn't take a seismic swing to the Lib Dems to overturn it (the Tories and the SNP are nowhere here).

 

The natural choice for a supporter of electoral reform and long-standing floating voter such as myself is therefore the tactical vote for the Lib Dems (I don't float in the direction of Labour or the Conservatives). It won't be happening though. I'm so disillusioned by the entirely unfair and (in my view) undemocratic boost the Lib Dems have received from the televised debates that I will instead be driven into the waiting arms of one of the no-hoper parties here - either Green or SNP.

 

As it has done in every General Election I've ever voted in, my vote will go in the bin. Wasted journey. At this juncture, a spoiled ballot paper is looking quite an attractive option.

 

 

I feel a bit like that myself out in this Falkik constituency.

 

What's turned me off the Lib Dems is a lack of trust, and I'm gutted because I really wanted them to convince me. I still think they'll poll second on the night, thanks to the Clegg effect. Trouble is, for all their talk of reform and PR, I think they'll stab their voters in the back and get into bed with Labour are the first sniff of power. If this happens, Clegg won't be Prime Minister and Cable won't be Chancellor, we'll be stuck with the arseholes we've got.

 

I'll probably vote SNP, for all the difference it will make. For all his failings, I thought Salmond came across well last night on Question Time but I think they'll struggle to hold what they've got, let alone make gains. However, the main event for the SNP is in 12 months from now.

[shaun.lawson]

I feel a bit like that myself out in this Falkik constituency.

 

What's turned me off the Lib Dems is a lack of trust, and I'm gutted because I really wanted them to convince me. I still think they'll poll second on the night, thanks to the Clegg effect. Trouble is, for all their talk of reform and PR, I think they'll stab their voters in the back and get into bed with Labour are the first sniff of power. If this happens, Clegg won't be Prime Minister and Cable won't be Chancellor, we'll be stuck with the arseholes we've got.

 

I'll probably vote SNP, for all the difference it will make. For all his failings, I thought Salmond came across well last night on Question Time but I think they'll struggle to hold what they've got, let alone make gains. However, the main event for the SNP is in 12 months from now.

 

See - I don't understand this point. How can you know this without taking a risk and giving us a chance in the first place? Would we prop up a Labour government which the public didn't want and had voted out? Nope.

 

Sometimes we get lumped in with the Tories and Labour, and I can't understand why. Have the Lib Dems ever let you down before? Genuine question.

[blairdin]

See - I don't understand this point. How can you know this without taking a risk and giving us a chance in the first place? Would we prop up a Labour government which the public didn't want and had voted out? Nope.

 

Sometimes we get lumped in with the Tories and Labour, and I can't understand why. Have the Lib Dems ever let you down before? Genuine question.

 

 

I don't know. And that's the problem. I should know, but in the space of 24hrs Nick Cleggs answer to broadly the same "would you work with Labour/Gordon Brown question" changed dramatically to my ears.

[Boris]

I'm in Edinburgh South West and I really do not know who to vote for.

 

I'm tempted to vote Lib Dem, but may vote Green. The SSP are also standing but I don't really like them as much as since they got rid of Sheridan.

 

I will vote though.

[Big D]

I don't know - but PR's a sine qua non for all Lib Dems I've ever met. It's precisely because Cameron would never agree to it that I can't see us ending up in coalition with the Tories - and I doubt a coalition with Labour (led by someone other than Brown, of course) would have any credibility with the electorate.

 

You were happy to prop an unpopular Labour admin in Scotland though. For 10 years of pointless posturing which the SNP have rectified in 3 years. Don't you think you should be thoroughly ashamed of supporting a Unionist party that revels in the fact that they have different policies in different parts of the U.K.? Hypocrisy doesn't begin to cover the LabDumbs.

[shaun.lawson]

You were happy to prop an unpopular Labour admin in Scotland though. For 10 years of pointless posturing which the SNP have rectified in 3 years. Don't you think you should be thoroughly ashamed of supporting a Unionist party that revels in the fact that they have different policies in different parts of the U.K.? Hypocrisy doesn't begin to cover the LabDumbs.

 

Except, about which you seem in total denial, it had secured the biggest mandate at the time. If Labour finish 1st in share of the vote on Thursday, we'd surely support them; if they finish 3rd, we won't.

 

And the Lib Dems are different in different parts of the country because the electoral system forces us to be. With policies like no income tax on anyone's first ?10,000, I find it astonishing that anyone can seriously regard us as soft Tory; but many people in south-west England seem to, for some reason. I think the Lib Dems have essentially been a European Social Democratic Party for many years, and regard the SNP in a similar light; with the complication that as a liberal party, we're also about the individual: more likely to attract Guardian-reading liberals than unions or those whose families have always voted Labour.

 

Incidentally - many political analysts regard the SNP as all things to all men, right of centre on some issues, left of it on others, and above all, populist. And many, many people think the SNP leader is quite phenomenally smug and full of himself. But you don't think about that, do you?

[Big D]

Except, about which you seem in total denial, it had secured the biggest mandate at the time. If Labour finish 1st in share of the vote on Thursday, we'd surely support them; if they finish 3rd, we won't.

 

And the Lib Dems are different in different parts of the country because the electoral system forces us to be. With policies like no income tax on anyone's first ?10,000, I find it astonishing that anyone can seriously regard us as soft Tory; but many people in south-west England seem to, for some reason. I think the Lib Dems have essentially been a European Social Democratic Party for many years, and regard the SNP in a similar light; with the complication that as a liberal party, we're also about the individual: more likely to attract Guardian-reading liberals than unions or those whose families have always voted Labour.

 

Incidentally - many political analysts regard the SNP as all things to all men, right of centre on some issues, left of it on others, and above all, populist. And many, many people think the SNP leader is quite phenomenally smug and full of himself. But you don't think about that, do you?

 

Sean. All things to all men? If you're going to get involved in politics you have to work on your language. Women are the majority of the voters. You are trying to slag of a party who are enacting policies on the basis of what is best for the majority of their populace. A minority government who have had to compromise some of their principals for the good of the Scottish people. Whereas you propped up despots for 10 years. And then of course you have fallen into the Nazi Unionist trick of judging people on their looks rather than their ability. Roosevelt would rightly have destroyed you. What is the Lib Dum policy on minimal alcohol pricing?

[Boris]

...... If you're going to get involved in politics you have to work on your language....What is the Lib Dum policy on minimal alcohol pricing?

 

I thought the SNP wanted to raise the price of alcohol.

[shaun.lawson]

Sean. All things to all men? If you're going to get involved in politics you have to work on your language. Women are the majority of the voters. You are trying to slag of a party who are enacting policies on the basis of what is best for the majority of their populace. A minority government who have had to compromise some of their principals for the good of the Scottish people. Whereas you propped up despots for 10 years. And then of course you have fallen into the Nazi Unionist trick of judging people on their looks rather than their ability. Roosevelt would rightly have destroyed you. What is the Lib Dum policy on minimal alcohol pricing?

 

I love how you're able to sit there and simultaneously decry all pro-United Kingdom parties as "despots" (elected despots, I assume, given the SNP had never come remotely close to power until 2007), while hailing the minority SNP government for doing "what's best for the majority". Says who? Says you, about a party which received 33% of the vote (31% on list votes) at the last Scottish parliamentary elections? Some 'majority'...

 

If the SNP are about what's best for the majority of the Scottish people, why are they in favour of Scottish independence, which only a minority support? Meanwhile, are you trying to deny that Alex Salmond's charisma and media savvy has been a massive part of the SNP's success, and that without him, they'd be nowhere?

[Commander Harris]

<snip /> Meanwhile, are you trying to deny that Alex Salmond's charisma and media savvy has been a massive part of the SNP's success, and that without him, they'd be nowhere?

 

have a look at the later 1974 General Election, I don't think Salmond was around then. ??

[portobellojambo1]

I love how you're able to sit there and simultaneously decry all pro-United Kingdom parties as "despots" (elected despots, I assume, given the SNP had never come remotely close to power until 2007), while hailing the minority SNP government for doing "what's best for the majority". Says who? Says you, about a party which received 33% of the vote at the last Scottish parliamentary elections? Some 'majority'...

 

If the SNP are about what's best for the majority of the Scottish people, why are they in favour of Scottish independence, which only a minority support? Meanwhile, are you trying to deny that Alex Salmond's charisma and media savvy has been a massive part of the SNP's success, and that without him, they'd be nowhere?

 

Think you might have went a little bit overboard there Shaun. While i am willing to concede he undoubtedly has media savvy truth is he has about as much charisma as a fresh pile of dog sh*t.

 

There again I think I might fall into the despot category referred to above, so my opinion shouldn't shock you too much.

[shaun.lawson]

have a look at the later 1974 General Election, I don't think Salmond was around then. ??

 

Have a look at the 2003 Scottish Parliament elections, when Alex Salmond wasn't SNP leader.

[shaun.lawson]

Think you might have went a little bit overboard there Shaun. While i am willing to concede he undoubtedly has media savvy truth is he has about as much charisma as a fresh pile of dog sh*t.

 

There again I think I might fall into the despot category referred to above, so my opinion shouldn't shock you too much.

 

I think he has tons of charisma myself, and don't dislike him or the SNP. I do think the independence fanatics on here (and one in particular) are pretty comical though. So have a referendum! But if they lose, they'll just blame the great "Westminster conspiracy" instead. What do I think of this "Westminster conspiracy"? I think it's a load of pish, wind and excuses for being unable to persuade a majority of the Scottish people of their case.