The Next General Election – None Of The Above?

[naomi24]

With the threat (or promise) of a General Election looming, should the option “None of the above” be included on the ballot form? If so, would you elect for that – and if not, which of the current political parties would you support?

At the moment I feel that the option to put my kiss next to ‘None of the above’ would be the only thing that would tempt me into polling booth.

[jno]

you can already spoil your ballot paper by putting too many Xs, or crossing all the names out or whatever.

https://www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/how-to-spoil-you-ballot-paper_uk_592eb1cbe4b0e95ac1955386

[naomi24]

Spoiling the ballot paper wouldn't have nearly the same effect, jno. 'None of the above' sends an unmistakable message.

[jim360]

I think that "None of the Above" only really makes sense if voting is compulsory, to allow for abstentions.

Don't know who I'll be voting for next time, but that's mostly because I don't know if the Independent Group will be putting up candidates yet.

[Old_Geezer]

I've no objection to it being there, save that it encourages those who claim one has to go vote even when no candidate is worthy of a vote. Why force people to turn up when low voter turnout already sends the required message ?

[retrocop]

I am still waiting for Mr Farage's proposed new party to emerge.
A cross there would send an unmistakeable message of what the majority required.

[naomi24]

Jim, //I think that "None of the Above" only really makes sense if voting is compulsory, to allow for abstentions. //

I disagree. Regardless of turnout all votes are counted.

[Bigbad]

I would be happy with “None of the above.”
I believe if you don’t vote, you can’t complain, and as I am currently ‘partyless’ it’s better than not voting or spoiling the ballot paper.

[Kromovaracun]

Low turnout doesn't send any message - spoiling your ballot still counts your paper among the votes cast.

You can just draw on a 'none of the above' if you like.

I have no idea who I will vote for. Change UK is looking likely, but we'll see what kind of platform they run on and if they stand where I am.

[jim360]

OG: Playing devil's advocate for a second (I don't really believe in compulsory voting), surely the difference between "none of the above" and abstaining is that abstentions also include those who didn't get around to voting, or those who maybe weren't engaged enough anyway to make a conscious choice not to vote for any of the options? Whereas "None of the Above" is unambiguously "sod the lot of you".

[jno]

staying home is "none of the above", so just count the abstentions.

[naomi24]

Krom, // spoiling your ballot still counts your paper among the votes cast.//

But go on a pile marked ‘spoilt’ with no reasons given. Not good enough.

Jno, // staying home is "none of the above", so just count the abstentions.//

People stay at home for a variety of reasons.

Jim, //… "None of the Above" is unambiguously "sod the lot of you".//

Precisely.

[ichkeria]

Putting “None of the above” as a ballot paper option is rather a daft idea. You can just write it on there yourself if you wish.
Surely one’s voting intentions will depend on whose names are on there. As two people at least have already said we don’t really know a lot at the moment: will Change UK or whatever they will be called be standing? Who knows?
I think a general election is less likely than it was and not very likely at all if a deal is struck. The Tories would be mad to try to bring one about. Tho plainly a few of them ARE if not mad then doing a good impression of being so. So only a confidence vote is likely to do that.

[jim360]

I guess I'm just not a fan of encouraging that message as I can't see its purpose. If you were to argue for a slightly more different wording of "re-open nominations", which essentially forces a second round of elections, I could happily agree with the option being on the ballot paper. Although even then I guess I'd want it only as part of a larger set of reforms including a different voting system altogether.

[riptide]

All gossip mongering by the journalists, they love to stir everything up, although the worst offender is the left wing BBC. There will be a general election at some time this year no doubt once we have sorted out this mess. It serves no purpose to have one now. I would never in a million years voted for the Labour Party and have always supported the Tory Party. If they had a new leader, I would never vote for Boris Johnson or Dominic Raab, complete traitors, but would vote for Gove or Javid.

[New Judge]

"None of the Above" only makes sense if votes cast in that way are counted as valid. If it should prevail then a fresh election should be held with all the original candidates barred from entry.

[naomi24]

ichkeria, // You can just write it on there yourself if you wish. //

But that just goes on the 'spoilt' pile. It means nothing. 'None of the above' votes would be counted and, hence, send a very positive message to those to whom it matters - the politicians standing for election - and losing votes.

[ichkeria]

And that is precisely where your “none of the above” votes would go.
Because what is the alternative? New Judge’s idea that we’d get a load of new people from god knows where and have another election? And what if none of the above won that? And so on.
You either have anarchy or you ignore it. Either way it is as I say a daft idea. We are in danger of losing our heads here.

[Togo]

I am afraid that a petulant no show at the polling booth will just let in the rabid Marxist zealots who will vote...….sometimes more than once. The lib/lab/con cabal have proved beyond reasonable doubt that they will continue to betray the electorate given the chance. They fooled us again at the last GE by standing for office on a promise to secure Brexit as per the wishes of a majority vote in the referendum. They lied. Shame on them, but shame on us if we swallow their lies ever again. I shall enthusiastically vote UKIP at every opportunity from now on. They were the only candidates who meant what they said in the first place and will carry out our wishes.

[Old_Geezer]

I don't believe one needs to distinguish Jim. A low turnout screams that something is up, regardless. It's just finding excuses for politicians to carry on regardless, claiming it's down to apathy.

Also both a sudden drop beyond the normal level of voting, or a long term decline, speaks volumes.

[Calicogirl]

No I won't, there's far too much ridiculousness in politics as it is, helping not choose people lead our country is the last thing that should be being encouraged, although I do agree with you that there is no individual or indeed party that has my allegiance anymore.