Have You Ever Changed Your Political Allegiance?

[naomi24]

During a conversation in News the other day, I said I know many people who have changed their political allegiance from Labour to Conservative, but none at all who have swapped from Conservative to Labour. Floating voters aside, have you changed your political allegiance – and if so in which direction, and why? (After a lifetime voting Labour, Tony Blair succeeded in teaching me to vote Conservative).

[naomi24]

And in subsequent elections they changed back again. Floating voters - not dyed in the wool electors - which is what this thread is about.

[JoolsTwo]

mikey4444 - What is the point of voting if I can't vote for a party I think could be better for this country than the Big 3 have been to date. I think it's about time to give another party a chance at it - I honestly don't think they can make more of a mess of this country than the Big 3 have to date.

People who just vote for one of the Big 3 are the ones I don't understand - The Big 3 have proved that they can't be trusted to run this country so give some else a chance. If they prove to be equally bad at it then don't vote for them again but at least give them a chance.

[mikey4444]

no it isn't naomi ! Its your thread...read it again.

"Have you ever changed your political allegiance"

"Floating voters aside"

People changed from Tory to Labour in huge numbers in 1997....fact, not opinion. You say that you know none that changed from Tory to Labour. Didn't you know any Tory voters in 1997 ? Did they all vote Tory again ?
If they did, then they were at odds with the general mood of the country, which was to kick the Muddling Major out, and that is what happened.

Floating voters played a part in 1997 but not a major one ( ! )

[mikey4444]

Jools Two...I respect your right to vote for whoever you choose. But if you know that UKIP have no chance whatsoever of forming a Government, what is the point in voting for them ? The Greens have more chance...at least they have a seat in Parliament.

I just can't see the point in wasting your vote. There are wide difference between the Big Three.

[naomi24]

Yes, Mikey, it is. I said 'floating voters aside'. If all those 'extras' who voted Labour in 1997 had remained with the Labour party, subsequent elections would have shown similar results - but they didn't. Wanting it to be so doesn't make it so. Between 1997 and 2010 Labour lost voters in droves.

[JoolsTwo]

I just don't see the point in voting for parties that are repeatedly letting us all down. If people would at least give other parties a try we may find that the main ones would get their act together.

[jomifl]

Having started life with liberal voting parents(father at least) on an E. London council estate I developed my understanding of politics with a neutral(ish) attitude. When the unions began their bullying tactics of trying to influence the democratically elected governments of whatever flavour for their own selfish and blinkered ends I drifted right of centre. Tony Blair's unashamed cronyism and blatant dishonesty followed by Brown's incompetence and Millibands pathetic champagne socialism has nudged me futher right. Ironically it seems that it is only the Tories that can deliver any form of social/health care and education system without bankrupting the country. I think socialism is a good idea but a Labour government cannot deliver it.

[Cloverjo]

I voted for the LibDems at the last election in an attempt to keep the Tories out. I am a Labour supporter. We managed to get the Tory out of this constituency, but look what the LibDems did! Waltzed off with the Cons anyway. I was very upset. I will vote Labour in future, even though they are always a distant third here.

[whiskeryron]

> It's so simple and makes sense, can it be so easy???

> UKIP WISH LIST
>
>
>
> HERE IS ALL I WANT OUT OF LIFE AT THIS TIME..
> Borders
> Closed to further immigration.
>
> Illegals:
> Found stopped and sent back.
>
> National Commitment:
> Re-establish National Service
>
> Parliament:
> Obey its own laws.
> Make politicians keep their promises or have them disqualified from further election.
> No programmes scheduled to start past the next election.
>
> Dual Citizenship:
> Abolished (you're either British or something else.
> If you're something else, be a visitor then leave when your visa runs out.)
>
> Language:
> English, Welsh, Gaelic only.
>
> Flags:
> Illegal to display another flag except for consulates and embassies.
>
> Culture:
> Respect the British culture,
> And stop immigrants trying to change it into the mess left back in their own countries.
> Stop trying to change us!
>
> Drug Free:
> Mandatory Drug Screening before Welfare Benefits!
>
> NO Freebies to Non-Citizens.
> Look after British BEFORE donating to other countries.
> No British welfare for any country that is developing nukes
> Or spending more than a reasonable amount on arms.

BRING ALL BRITISH SOLDIERS HOME -
LET THE REST OF THE WORLD SORT THEIR OWN PROBLEMS OUT
BRITISH PENSIONERS BEFORE ALL OTHER NATIONS.

WR.

[ToraToraTora]

always voted Tory first voted in 1980, up to then I witnessed the distruction of the country by unions, much like modeller though he is more remarkable being able to see it through all the brain washing he must have had from an early age. Thankfully my parents had no interest in politics and did not effect my political leanings. We were poor, I saw that the only way out was education and hard work, I alarmed many of my peers and even siblings on my council estate when I had 3 jobs at the age of thirteen and got myself an education and lifted myself into what you'd probably call middle class, I didn't have the luxury of an upbringing like jake who can now afford to be a lefty. I was forged by Thatchers Britain and consider it a complement to be labelled one of her "children". That is why I cannot stand the lazy and feckless who blame everyone but themselves, i did it so can they. Tory fits my thinking best but they are basically Liberals these days with EU ar5e licking thrown in.

[Wharton]

I've always been SNP, but after independence in September? I'll think of something :-)

[ToraToraTora]

you could always join the OHLF wharton!

[emmie]

after Independence vote you will still be part of Britain, UK, so it will be disappointed of Scotland...

[DTCwordfan]

My godson is a Conservative minister in training at UEA.

There he has now joined the International Socialists, switching over from the Anarchists. His reason, "The Anarchists are too well organised..."

[Wharton]

TTT - OHLF?

emmie - After independence we'll simply be 'Scotland'

DTC - Your godson seems to be politically aware, did he get it from his godmother? :-)

[Peter Pedant]

No naomi it wasnt tony Bliar

anyone under thirty who votes conservative has no heart

and anyone over sixty who votes socialist has no brains

[emmie]

wharton, we will see. Do you think Alex Salmond will be king of the castle.

[Peter Pedant]

DTC - no your godson has been doing a history option
and has come across the Reds IN the Bed scandal

1985 Trotskyists or thereabouts - the leader was saying to young perty activists - you garta come to bed with me - you are doing it for Socialism !!!

and some did

better organisation - piffle....

[ToraToraTora]

Outer Hebredes Liberation Front - They'll be after "independence" next!