Lib Nodems

[NellieMay]

No link. Just a question from me. First of all they don't respect our democracy by saying they will drop Brexit they if they get into power and now they are planning rigging the general election results, by stopping voters voting for their choice of party in some constituencies. How can they get away with this? Surely it should be challenged!

[drmorgans]

You could argue the general election is undemocratic, 2017 votes & seats:

DUP - Votes 292,316 - seats 10
Sinn Fein - 238,915 - seats 7
Plaid Cymru - 164,466 - seats 4

Green Party - Votes 525,665 - seats 1
UKIP - 594,068 - seats 0

[Bigbad]

Within the last week, I have seen 3 Lib Dem MP’s interviewed (including Jo Swinson) and asked what would they say to the people who say that cancelling Brexit is not democratic.
Not one of them has attempted to answer. They’ve all launched into a diatribe about how much better we would be staying, and how wonderful the party is.
I know MP’s are well known for evading difficult questions, but it’s probably the most valid question that can be asked during this campaign.

[gulliver1]

I dont think it is funny either, I think it is hilarious . Best of luck to them

[ichkeria]

I don’t want to be rude, but there is nothing undemocratic about a party putting something up for election.
Just to repeat myself: if enough people vote for it it’s democratic. If not well why worry.
And electoral pacts are not vote rigging.

[ichkeria]

I agree drm that our system is unrepresentative.
That is why people do tactical voting and it’s why electoral pacts happen, or one reason.

[NellieMay]

Glad I am amused Ichkeria. I can detect a supercillious smirk there.

I still feel its totally undemocratic when people lose the candidate who they fully support, due to tactics. Fortunately, it doesn't affect me because I wouldn't vote for any in that pact and I wouldn't vote either if BREXIT and Conservative formed a pact.

Thanks for sensible answers.

[Jackdaw33]

Remember that the LDs themselves are the result of a pact between the Liberals and the SDP.

[NellieMay]

I know Jackdaw. But thanks anyway.

I voted for Libdem for man years before the libdem/Tory pact. We had a brilliant MP Norman Lamb who I have met on several occasions He has now retired and has spoken out openly. He doesn't agree with them now about Brexit because what they are doing is undemocratic. He is a Remainer but his North Norfolk constituency who have voted lib dem for years voted strongly to leave. I doubt now whether they will vote Lib Dem now!

[Old_Geezer]

Those who believe they have shown evidence of the present system being undemocratic have been deceived by a belief that national parties are voted for, when in fact local individuals (who may or may not have joined a party) are voted for. If in each constituency a particular party's member isn't first choice, then the party has no right to claim that their member's losing total should result in some sort of benefit for the party. Democracy would be better served if parties were barred. Then MPs would be more inclined to actually represent the views of those they are supposed to be representing.

[Jackdaw33]

Until fairly recently the candidate's party was not allowed to be on the ballot sheet, only his name.

[NellieMay]

I have in the past voted for the individual, bearing in mind that
They have to a large degree to conform to their party beliefs. At this coming election I will be voting tactically, against my own principles. If the Cons join forces with Brexit I might just spoil my vote.