Poll: Potential General Election: who are you voting for?

[ainsworth74]

I wasn’t particularly enthused by either leader, although to be fair I’m not particularly keen on these debates and would prefer to listen to what they both have to say rather than care who is “the winner”.

Quite. I'd much rather that we put the party leaders in front of someone like Andrew Neil for an hours grilling (probably with some questions that are identical between the two and some which are tailored to the specific candidates) rather than the dog and pony show of a debate.

Then again this is similar to my hatred of vox pops. Just vacuous airtime filling with not actual merit for informing the discussion...

 

[Mojo]

Quite. I'd much rather that we put the party leaders in front of someone like Andrew Neil for an hours grilling (probably with some questions that are identical between the two and some which are tailored to the specific candidates) rather than the dog and pony show of a debate.

If we think back to the first televised debates which were held in 2010 it seemed to be based around the American tradition of presidential candidates debating each other and something that they thought was fun and really made or lost the election, rather than something that would actually work in the British system. In that year we also had Paxman do interviews which seemed to reveal a lot more than the so-called debates did which seemed to be a less-engaging version of question time with the two party leaders answering questions from the audience.

And I also don't really understand the concept of "winning" a debate, unless one person walks off or trips over their lines then surely the person who won is the person who you agree with the most?

 

[edwin_m]

If we think back to the first televised debates which were held in 2010 it seemed to be based around the American tradition of presidential candidates debating each other and something that they thought was fun and really made or lost the election, rather than something that would actually work in the British system. In that year we also had Paxman do interviews which seemed to reveal a lot more than the so-called debates did which seemed to be a less-engaging version of question time with the two party leaders answering questions from the audience.

And I also don't really understand the concept of "winning" a debate, unless one person walks off or trips over their lines then surely the person who won is the person who you agree with the most?

I guess the winner is the one who achieves the most benefit to the popularity of themselves or their party afterwards.

A couple of American debates have probably made a big difference to the election results. One was the general impression of Nixon being unshaven and sweaty against the clean-cut JFK (who of course wasn't as squeaky clean as anyone thought, but Nixon was even worse than he looked...).

These days the spin doctors are wise to that and will veto any format they think will hurt their candidate, which makes it less likely that they will have any real impact. In this case it suited both Johnson and Corbyn to portray themselves as alternatives to each other and keep the other leaders out.

 

[GrimShady]

I'd like to see a televised debate with the leaders of all the main stream parties where the audience gets to throw rotten vegetables during their answers.

None of these jokers should be in office.

 

[ainsworth74]

I'd like to see a televised debate with the leaders of all the main stream parties where the audience gets to throw rotten vegetables during their answers.

None of these jokers should be in office.

I did think it was interesting that both leaders got laughed at by the audience last night. I mean that's where we are at now. The two main contenders for Prime Minister being laughed at on national TV.

 

[GrimShady]

I did think it was interesting that both leaders got laughed at by the audience last night. I mean that's where we are at now. The two main contenders for Prime Minister being laughed at on national TV.

Hmm I do really like the rotten vegetables idea, especially if Swinson was there

 

[coradiafan2000]

It's about time I was able to actually vote! I hated having to go through the EU Referendum and the 2017 general election without getting a say in matters. I just wish they'd lower the voting age to 16...

 

[bramling]

I did think it was interesting that both leaders got laughed at by the audience last night. I mean that's where we are at now. The two main contenders for Prime Minister being laughed at on national TV.

I don’t think people should have done that, in the same way that I think some what Boris got in South Yorkshire the other week was rather disrespectful. At the end of the day both candidates have been selected as the cream of the crop, and deserve at least some respect for that.

As a nation I think there’s some soul-searching to be done to see why we are at this stage. Are our collective expectations of politicians unrealistic, for example?

 

[edwin_m]

I don’t think people should have done that, in the same way that I think some what Boris got in South Yorkshire the other week was rather disrespectful. At the end of the day both candidates have been selected as the cream of the crop, and deserve at least some respect for that.

As a nation I think there’s some soul-searching to be done to see why we are at this stage. Are our collective expectations of politicians unrealistic, for example?

People have to earn respect, not to get it automatically. For whatever reason the two main parties have put forward candidates of unprecedented unpopularity, and if people weren't laughing they'd probably be crying.

 

[Bald Rick]

At the end of the day both candidates have been selected as the cream of the crop, and deserve at least some respect for that.

I’m not sure that’s the case for at least one of them, who was selected not necessarily as a great leader, but more as a figurehead who would do what he’s been told.

 

[AlterEgo]

I’m not sure that’s the case for at least one of them, who was selected not necessarily as a great leader, but more as a figurehead who would do what he’s been told.

Both of them to be fair.

 

[DarloRich]

I did think it was interesting that both leaders got laughed at by the audience last night. I mean that's where we are at now. The two main contenders for Prime Minister being laughed at on national TV.

I thought Corbyn more than Johnson mind when he fell back on his slogans about a new brexit deal instead of answering a simple question. Johnson pushed that question far too much and actually lost ground. He had made his point and should have moved on. There is plenty in the Corbyn cupboard to attack and when wound up he gets very tetchy.

At the end of the day both candidates have been selected as the cream of the crop, and deserve at least some respect for that.

If those two are the "cream" we are in trouble! Both are utterly useless.

 

[Bald Rick]

Both of them to be fair.

I did say ‘at least one’

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I find it depressing that anyone would vote Conservative. They have run down the NHS to current levels where waiting times are a joke and normalised the use of food banks. I mean, why would anybody vote for such a poor social record as that ?

In terms of their glorious economic policy, productivity (intimately linked to economic health) has flatlined since 2010 and we lag most other developed countries, the gap between rich and poor has widened in the same time period and many are worse off than 10 years ago. It takes a certain amount of brassneck for the Conservatives even to consider contesting this election with that record ; clearly proven unfit to govern.

What is the point of a government, or indeed democracy, if people become poorer and their lives become harder ?

Are you old enough to remember the events of the time period that led to "The Winter of Discontent" and the sadly-mistaken Labour Party view that they would still win the General Election that followed on from it, that the electorate rebutted and they had only themselves to blame for a Conservative government coming into power?

 

[Steve Harris]

I don’t think people should have done that, in the same way that I think some what Boris got in South Yorkshire the other week was rather disrespectful. At the end of the day both candidates have been selected as the cream of the crop, and deserve at least some respect for that.

As a nation I think there’s some soul-searching to be done to see why we are at this stage. Are our collective expectations of politicians unrealistic, for example?

As my father once told me.. "you don't have a right to respect, you earn it"!
Although he was talking about the workplace at the time he said that.

However, I do think it is applicable in this case.

I have no problem with people laughing at Boris especially over the trust/truth issue.
Afterall, he's been "let go" from 2 jobs for telling lies.

And if that is "the cream of the crop" as you put it, politics in this country is in a deep decline.

 

[NoMorePacers]

If Boris wins a majority then there is no hope for this country quite frankly.

 

[CaptainHaddock]

Well I shan't be voting as it's completely pointless.

For one thing, my constituency ALWAYS elects the Labour candidate (who polled nearly 60% of the vote last time out). Ask people locally why they vote Labour and they'll come out with that old chestnut "Because my dad always voted Labour and his dad before him....".

Secondly, the EU referendum proved that even when your vote does count, if the politicians don't like the result they just ignore it. That was the only time in my life I voted and the petty squabbling and inaction since has convinced me that it's simply not worth bothering.

 

[infobleep]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Anne Milton who was an Independent MP for Guildford prior to the dissolution of Parliament and prior to that the Conservative MP for Guildford.

She had her whip removed and not restored. She then decided to stand as an independent candidate for election.

There has been hardly any mention on the BBC News Site, bar the fact she was standing. I wonder if this is due to broadcast regulations.

Be interesting to compare the amount of references on the BBC News site about elections in Guildford before the election is over and when counting begins.

I don't listen to local radio so I don't know if they have mentioned it.

In terms of voting though, I can't decide whether to vote for Anne Milton or to vote Liberal Democrat. I feel Anne has been a good constitutancy MP but I disagree with her views on trains running without guards. I feel they should always have a guard. I asked her this question at a husting for the 2017 General Election and from that I decided not to vote for her. I had at the time considered the Conservatives, even though I voted to remain. I'm hoping for another husting so I can ask the candidates another question.

The Conservative candidate did pop round but alas I was out. I had wanted to ask the lady, Angela Richardson, what she thought of Anne Milton and what happened to her. Perhaps what she thought of Boris voting against Mrs May's deal. I wouldn't have asked such questions had the whip not been removed from Anne Milton. However had that not happened, I wouldn't be considering voting for Anne Milton.

I'm certainly not voting Conservative or Labour.

In the spirit of the broadcast rules that radio and TV stations are forced to follow but newspapers are unfairly exempt from, here is a list of all the local candidates.

Zöe Louise Franklin - Liberal Democrats
Anne Frances Milton - Independent
John Hugh Morris - The Peace Party - Non-violence, Justice, Environment
Angela Joy Richardson - The Conservative Party Candidate
Anne Catherine Rouse - Labour Party

 

[GrimShady]

Well I shan't be voting as it's completely pointless.

For one thing, my constituency ALWAYS elects the Labour candidate (who polled nearly 60% of the vote last time out). Ask people locally why they vote Labour and they'll come out with that old chestnut "Because my dad always voted Labour and his dad before him....".

Secondly, the EU referendum proved that even when your vote does count, if the politicians don't like the result they just ignore it. That was the only time in my life I voted and the petty squabbling and inaction since has convinced me that it's simply not worth bothering.

Well said!

That's the approach i'll be taking I think although given my local MP is Swinson I may be spoiling my vote.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

If Boris wins a majority then there is no hope for this country quite frankly.

As has been stated previously, this particular website that commenced in 2005 and subsequent threads of General Election party forecasting does not seem to tally with actual results of General Elections.....I wonder why?

 

[krus_aragon]

In the spirit of the broadcast rules that radio and TV stations are forced to follow but newspapers are unfairly exempt from, here is a list of all the local candidates.

Zöe Louise Franklin - Liberal Democrats
Anne Frances Milton - Independent
John Hugh Morris - The Peace Party - Non-violence, Justice, Environment
Angela Joy Richardson - The Conservative Party Candidate
Anne Catherine Rouse - Labour Party

Two Annes, a John, and an Angela: that's confusing!

 

[jfollows]

It's about time I was able to actually vote! I hated having to go through the EU Referendum and the 2017 general election without getting a say in matters. I just wish they'd lower the voting age to 16...

Reducing the voting age to 16 is a Labour manifesto commitment, although of course you can't vote for it .....
I don't value your views any less because you're not as old as 18 yet, but I am personally not convinced of the correctness of lowering the voting age. It could be argued that the change is in the Labour manifesto simply for self-interested reasons, because in a broad generalisation people aged under 18 are more likely to vote Labour than older people are.

 

[jfollows]

Secondly, the EU referendum proved that even when your vote does count, if the politicians don't like the result they just ignore it. That was the only time in my life I voted and the petty squabbling and inaction since has convinced me that it's simply not worth bothering.

The 2016 referendum was "advisory" so I guess this gives the politicians a bit of wiggle room in deciding how to implement its result. The Labour party is now offering a referendum which will not be "advisory" in the same way, but more binding on politicians to implement, based on a choice between a relatively known "withdrawal agreement" or remaining in the EU. I can see some logic in this, although a lot of people won't agree with it as a future course of action.
Actually, referendums are pretty toxic and are only used when politicians can't do their jobs properly without them, in my opinion, and the 2016 referendum demonstrates this well. But we are where we are!

 

[Kite159]

Anybody believing that if elected Labour will call another referendum for EU once they have agreed a new deal, most likely that promise will be dropped as Uncle Jeremy agrees a deal to suit his needs and push it through, safe in the knowledge he won't be around in 2024 when the next election is held, he can retire on his multi-million pound pension.

After-all, Labour promised a referendum for something with the EU, but dropped it as soon as they got re-elected.

 

[Bald Rick]

I'm surprised no one has mentioned Anne Milton who was an Independent MP for Guildford prior to the dissolution of Parliament and prior to that the Conservative MP for Guildford.

She had her whip removed and not restored. She then decided to stand as an independent candidate for election.

There has been hardly any mention on the BBC News Site, bar the fact she was standing. I wonder if this is due to broadcast regulations.

Be interesting to compare the amount of references on the BBC News site about elections in Guildford before the election is over and when counting begins.

I don't listen to local radio so I don't know if they have mentioned it.

In terms of voting though, I can't decide whether to vote for Anne Milton or to vote Liberal Democrat. I feel Anne has been a good constitutancy MP but I disagree with her views on trains running without guards. I feel they should always have a guard. I asked her this question at a husting for the 2017 General Election and from that I decided not to vote for her. I had at the time considered the Conservatives, even though I voted to remain. I'm hoping for another husting so I can ask the candidates another question.

The Conservative candidate did pop round but alas I was out. I had wanted to ask the lady, Angela Richardson, what she thought of Anne Milton and what happened to her. Perhaps what she thought of Boris voting against Mrs May's deal. I wouldn't have asked such questions had the whip not been removed from Anne Milton. However had that not happened, I wouldn't be considering voting for Anne Milton.

I'm certainly not voting Conservative or Labour.

In the spirit of the broadcast rules that radio and TV stations are forced to follow but newspapers are unfairly exempt from, here is a list of all the local candidates.

Zöe Louise Franklin - Liberal Democrats
Anne Frances Milton - Independent
John Hugh Morris - The Peace Party - Non-violence, Justice, Environment
Angela Joy Richardson - The Conservative Party Candidate
Anne Catherine Rouse - Labour Party

I wasn’t impressed with Anne Milton when I met her, although fair play to her for standing as an independent. Suspect she will split the blue vote, which might let the LDs back, particularly in if Labour voters go tactical. Time was when you’d be hard pressed to find a Labour voter in Guildford!

 

[jfollows]

I believe that Labour, either in majority government or minority government supported by LibDem and SNP, will implement a second EU referendum, yes. Their promises to do so are too precise now to do otherwise.

 

[Bald Rick]

I believe that Labour, either in majority government or minority government supported by LibDem and SNP, will implement a second EU referendum, yes. Their promises to do so are too precise now to do otherwise.

It would be a condition of any LD or SNP support.

 

[bramling]

The 2016 referendum was "advisory" so I guess this gives the politicians a bit of wiggle room in deciding how to implement its result. The Labour party is now offering a referendum which will not be "advisory" in the same way, but more binding on politicians to implement, based on a choice between a relatively known "withdrawal agreement" or remaining in the EU. I can see some logic in this, although a lot of people won't agree with it as a future course of action.
Actually, referendums are pretty toxic and are only used when politicians can't do their jobs properly without them, in my opinion, and the 2016 referendum demonstrates this well. But we are where we are!

The 2016 referendum may have been advisory, however both parties have at times expressed commitment to respect its result, most particularly in the leaflet Cameron sent out in the immediate lead-up to the referendum.

Referendums have a place where a particular issue does not divide neatly down party lines. It's far from ideal that this general election is being, at least to some extent, billed as a Brexit election -- which has posed a major problem for both major parties but particularly Labour. Likewise I know quite a few normally Liberal Democrat voters who are unlikely to vote for them this time because of their Brexit policy. Quite where all this will leave the final result is anyone's guess!

As an aside, I’m picking up a vibe that a lot of people I know who I would ordinarily expect to vote Labour are planning not to, and in most cases these votes will be going to the Conservatives. These are in fairly marginal SE seats, not the Labour heartlands. Boris is definitely gaining some traction, but I still think the outcome will be more made or broken by tactical voting. In just over three weeks all shall be revealed!

 

[coradiafan2000]

Reducing the voting age to 16 is a Labour manifesto commitment, although of course you can't vote for it .....
I don't value your views any less because you're not as old as 18 yet, but I am personally not convinced of the correctness of lowering the voting age. It could be argued that the change is in the Labour manifesto simply for self-interested reasons, because in a broad generalisation people aged under 18 are more likely to vote Labour than older people are.

Allow me to clarify. I'm 19 so this is the first general election I can vote in. I was also able to vote in the European election earlier this year. I was expressing frustration at not being able to vote in the EU Referendum and the 2017 election.

I personally believe the voting age should be lowered. There are so many people like me who were just coming out of school when the referendum happened, yet had no say despite their futures depending on it. It was an EU funded scheme that helped me get into employment after finishing my A levels.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Going back into the deepest realms of British history, noting the relatively recent time that women received the vote, what has been the lowest-ever age for males of eligibility for voting?

There has been the raising of the age limit for certain punishments in past times for crimes committed by those of "tender years", that those who want to lower the age of voting eligibility would most certainly not want to be lowered.