Who will you be voting for, and why?

[Floppit]

It's worth remembering that when the Tories took power in the 80's they had a considerable bonus from north sea oil. Yet what did we get to show for it? However much people are groaning now - from where I'm stood things are still better than the late 80's. I accept that it's hard to individually assess the impact of the global situation, or the cost of payback in terms of the central coffers but hell, the late 80's were bad!

I'll vote, either Lid Dem or Labour, to keep the Tories out. I'm not sure that I can say it's an entirely rational decision, that would be hard to measure in myself when I find the Tories quite as repugnant as I do.

I remember a thread about doctors and saying that the problem is I don't have the level of expertise to easily judge which of their decisions are wise. That's how I feel about politics too. Most people I know are so confident, both that their decision is right and that it's rational. I'm not sure how possible it is to hold enough knowledge about social policy, medical needs, economics, international influences, war, peace, the environment, even smegging leisure. I know I don't know, I don't know enough to be confident it's rational, but if I'm going to make a mistake I'd rather it be the more generous, more compassionate one. That's what the Tories lack for me.

[bindeweede]

Well, with under four weeks to the "big event", the Telegraph has very helpfully posted a guide to help people decide how to vote. It suggested Libdem for me, which I have already decided, if I vote at all.

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/elec...tion-2010.html

[bindeweede]

Floppit,

Most people I know are so confident, both that their decision is right and that it's rational. I'm not sure how possible it is to hold enough knowledge about social policy, medical needs, economics, international influences, war, peace, the environment, even smegging leisure. I know I don't know, I don't know enough to be confident it's rational, but if I'm going to make a mistake I'd rather it be the more generous, more compassionate one. That's what the Tories lack for me.

Nail on head, for me. Excellent, IMHO.

[asthmatic camel]

Conservative. It's the only way to get rid of Gordon Brown.

[bindeweede]

I stumbled across this site. Quite interesting considering the FPTP system.

http://www.voterpower.org.uk/

This was my result, suggesting, as I already knew, that voting other than Con is a waste of time.

http://www.voterpower.org.uk/hitchin-harpenden

[brianp]

This was my result, suggesting, as I already knew, that voting other than Con is a waste of time.

Not in an area like Gateshead where Lib Dems are second to Labour and the Tories are way behind. Here, a Tory vote is definitely wasted, a Lib Dem vote has a small chance of success. The Lib Dems have no chance of forming a government, but every Lib Dem win over Labour is one less Labour MP - and that helps ensure that come May 7 Gordo is an ex-PM.