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Do I need a polling card to vote

I have been looking at the 2004 Euro election results by region:

http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/hi/vote2004/euro_uk/html/front.stm

The BNP were extremely close to getting a seat in the West Midlands (my area) and also Yorkshire/Humber. They were fairly close to getting one in the East Midlands and one in the North East. Their results in percentage terms were a huge leap from the 1999 election in many regions.

The proportional representation used in these elections coupled with the large regional way its done, means that there may not be an obvious or effective tactical vote choice for keeping the fascists out. Bothering to vote for any other party seems like the most important thing that could keep them out. I believe if you get around 8% of the vote you are quite likely to get a seat.
 
Well comparing all the elections we have, the European ones tend to have a pretty darn wide selection of parties, and your vote is more likely to count. Because the regions are large there are likely to be candidates from most of the parties standing in your area, as opposed to one town council election I remember voting at where my choices were 'labour, tory or bnp', now that was depressing.

Think there are 8 or ten parties standing in my EU area, West Midlands, incuding one that had something about 'proclaiming Christs Lordship' in its title.And with parties such as no2eu and the jury party at least its not just the same old parties to choose from.

Granted the local elections will not have so much choice unless you get lucky in your area, and your vote may not count for so much depending on your local & regional party balance.
 
elbows said:
Well comparing all the elections we have, the European ones tend to have a pretty darn wide selection of parties, and your vote is more likely to count. Because the regions are large there are likely to be candidates from most of the parties standing in your area, as opposed to one town council election I remember voting at where my choices were 'labour, tory or bnp', now that was depressing.

Think there are 8 or ten parties standing in my EU area, West Midlands, incuding one that had something about 'proclaiming Christs Lordship' in its title.And with parties such as no2eu and the jury party at least its not just the same old parties to choose from.

Granted the local elections will not have so much choice unless you get lucky in your area, and your vote may not count for so much depending on your local & regional party balance.
Click to expand...

What I mean is, this is for a european parliament. Surely a big joke?
 
Well the European Parliament does do some business that affects our lives, just because its generally dull and the media pay it scant attention doesnt make it utterly irrelevant. But yeah its not exactly the most prominent policy-setting part of the EU so it can be hard to take it too seriously. Still its an election which the public may use for expressing themselves in a general sense, not voting based on what MEPs actually do, but the wider political mood & direction, and the media will certainly play up that aspect.

If the BNP get a seat or two then it will certainly cause an increase in hand-wringing in the westminster & media classes over this whole 'democracy is failing, oh lets act surprised, make some noise, blame someone else, do some token reform but not go far enough' stuff.

The worst thing about these elections is that we have to wait a while for the results, I havent quite figured out when we get them but I think the BBC coverage is Friday and Sunday.
 
I have tried 3 times to explain the mentality of the voters tomorrow. I have deleted each mini rant as well. I don't have enough conviction in my thoughts to press the reply button, the whole thing is more than a little farcical. I am supposed to vote for who? that will do what? on behalf of who? because they personally believe in what?

I'm going to be a right awquard bastard tomorrow, thats one thing i do know.
 
I'm torn between the Greens, who have some tolerable ideas and a candidate I actually know, or the Lib Dems as they're probably best placed to rob a seat off of UKIP in my part of the world. Perhaps I'll flip a coin in the booth and let the fates decide.
 
Smurker said:
I have tried 3 times to explain the mentality of the voters tomorrow. I have deleted each mini rant as well. I don't have enough conviction in my thoughts to press the reply button, the whole thing is more than a little farcical.
Click to expand...

I know how you feel. It seems like everyone's voting based on the giant red herring that is the MP's expenses debacle, even though MEP's and councillors have fuck all to do with that issue.

IMO it's the electorate's inability to figure out what election they're voting in that got Boris fucking Johnson elected as mayor of the smoke. There's also that very British tendency to place more emphasis on damaging the people you don't like than supporting the people you do like, although finding a political party that's worth liking in this day and age is an uphill struggle.
 
SpookyFrank said:
I'm torn between the Greens, who have some tolerable ideas and a candidate I actually know, or the Lib Dems as they're probably best placed to rob a seat off of UKIP in my part of the world. Perhaps I'll flip a coin in the booth and let the fates decide.
Click to expand...

I'm not too far from that thought process. UKIP are going to do well here i think, having nice named parties like 'English Democrats' (don't they sound great) will detract from their numbers though. It's a shitty choice.
 
EddyBlack said:
What I mean is, this is for a european parliament. Surely a big joke?
Click to expand...

It's highly lucrative for the winning candidates!

Forget the Westminster trough. Become an MEP even for just one term, become a millionaire.

The European Parliament may be a joke of sorts, but I'm not laughing.
 
Smurker said:
I'm not too far from that thought process. UKIP are going to do well here i think, having nice named parties like 'English Democrats' (don't they sound great) will detract from their numbers though. It's a shitty choice.
Click to expand...
It is mostly a shitty choice. Because of the electoral system, I will be going out to vote simply to do my tiny bit to push down the BNP's share of the vote. Plus there's the option to vote Green. It would stick in my craw to have to vote for one of the main neoliberal parties just to do my bit against the BNP. I would still do it, though, I think. The UK will be a nastier place if the BNP get a seat.
 
littlebabyjesus said:
It is mostly a shitty choice. Because of the electoral system, I will be going out to vote simply to do my tiny bit to push down the BNP's share of the vote. Plus there's the option to vote Green. It would stick in my craw to have to vote for one of the main neoliberal parties just to do my bit against the BNP. I would still do it, though, I think. The UK will be a nastier place if the BNP get a seat.
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Its come to this?
 
Voting against the Nazis in the 30's was of scant concern to Hitler. The first whiff of bright lights and people begin putting their faith on a political struggle within the framework of parliamentary institutions. Oh me oh my!
 
PeterTCA said:
Voting against the Nazis in the 30's was of scant concern to Hitler. The first whiff of bright lights and people begin putting their faith on a political struggle within the framework of parliamentary institutions. Oh me oh my!
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Where did I say I'd put any faith in anything? Voting against the BNP is not of scant concern to Nick Griffin. He wants to be an MEP, and for that he needs a particular share of the votes. But I didn't say I had faith in anything. It is a purely pragmatic action.
 
elbows said:
Well comparing all the elections we have, the European ones tend to have a pretty darn wide selection of parties, and your vote is more likely to count.
Click to expand...
I know my vote would count, and if I'd thought about the BNP threat around here earlier, I'd have got my arse into gear to get registered. But I'm moving on Friday and it's all a but hectic, so I didn't.

Despite the multitude of choice, there isn't a party I'd want to vote for. NO2EU is great apart from their platform - we have to change the EU, not go it alone. The Greens need to develop a better political platform before I'd vote for them to be in power.
 
No. Here, you can vote as many times as you have valid names to give. :cool:
 
ymu said:
I know my vote would count, and if I'd thought about the BNP threat around here earlier, I'd have got my arse into gear to get registered. But I'm moving on Friday and it's all a but hectic, so I didn't.

Despite the multitude of choice, there isn't a party I'd want to vote for. NO2EU is great apart from their platform - we have to change the EU, not go it alone. The Greens need to develop a better political platform before I'd vote for them to be in power.
Click to expand...

I know a number of people who'd vote for No2eu but are put off by the name

:(
 
The kabbess is away and didn't know she would be early enough, so will lose her vote. I'd quite like to vote on her behalf, but I don't think I could get away with it even with my best dress and wig combo.
 
kabbes said:
The kabbess is away and didn't know she would be early enough, so will lose her vote. I'd quite like to vote on her behalf, but I don't think I could get away with it even with my best dress and wig combo.
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You'll need either a convincing trannie, or a female friend to impersonate her.
 
I just wanted to announce that my polling station is in my local pub. Whatever you think about today's elections and democracy in this cuntry, this has to be a step forward:D

I'll be gone for a few hours.
 
I don't have any local female friends that are local enough to not be put out yet not so local that they won't be voting in the same polling station, unfortunately. It's very frustrating! Doubly so because our local election is a straight up Liberal - Tory fight and every vote counts.
 
kabbes said:
I don't have any local female friends that are local enough to not be put out yet not so local that they won't be voting in the same polling station, unfortunately. It's very frustrating! Doubly so because our local election is a straight up Liberal - Tory fight and every vote counts.
Click to expand...

Did you know she would be away for long? You can vote on other people's behalf but you have to let them know beforehand.
 
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