Voting - Election Understanding.

[agchristie]

As we head towards one of the most interesting General Elections should all homeowners be given more assistance how to cast their vote?

Instead of receiving biased Party material should more assistance be given to eligible voters to help inform a decision?

Reminders of previous party pledges, independently provided facts on issues on all key areas from Europe, Immigration, Health, Economy etc etc. Would this make any difference?

There was much comment regarding the Scottish referendum that many voters did not have sufficient understanding or information to help them make a decision, could the same be said for the General Election?

[BlackadderV]

Why just homeowners?

[agchristie]

Bladderadder,

Good point! Substitute, for anyone eligible to vote.

[ToraToraTora]

No, 90% of voters vote the same regardless. It's a few swing voters in marginal seats that matter.

[BlackadderV]

True, Tora, but I have met a lot of lifetime Tory voters recently who are switching to UKIP.

[agchristie]

It is going to be very interesting to see the results in Clacton and Rochester for example. Will UKIP consolidate their position or was it a warning to the Tories from their traditional voters?

[ToraToraTora]

Where as I like the idea of geting out of the EU, UKIP won't be able to manage it. I voted UKIP in the council elections but in a general election I, like many ohers will stick with the tories.

[BlackadderV]

I agree. So shall I, though holding my nose. It is the only realistic way of getting a referendum.

[agchristie]

TTT,

Interesting the % you quote vote the same regardless. Going to be fascinating though in May.

[mikey4444]

Its an interesting idea but who would compile and publish this info ?
A Government Dept. perhaps, like the ONS ?

Whoever provides these "Facts" will have to get them from somewhere. If we are to be expected to know 100% of what is possible to know, there wouldn't be any time left to vote !

In my experience, most voters stick to what they know and what they have always done. Also, what about the people that say :::::

" Well, I have my mind up, now please don't confuse me with the facts "

Politics is an art, not a science, whatever the pointy heads tell us !

[dave50]

Another thing, only people who are net tax payers should be allowed to vote, after all they are the ones that are paying the bills.

[mikey4444]

dave50...wouldn't that be like going back 100 years ? When most women couldn't vote ? Or go back even further and poor people couldn't vote either. Dangerous territory there I would think.

[dave50]

No Mikey, think about it. Why should those who pay nothing or are net benefit claimants have a say over what sort of government we should have? They are obviously going to vote for those who promise more handouts. Is that really fair to those who pay in? As they say, turkeys dont vote for Christmas.

[Zacs-Master]

Should be able to do it on-line!

[sandyRoe]

On-line voting, like postal votes, would be open to abuse. The present arrangements, minus the postal votes, seem best to me.

[Zacs-Master]

I'm sure technology could come up with a solution. It's the future.

[mikey4444]

dave...have I got this right then ?

Unemployed people
Students
Stay-at-home Mums
Stay-at-home Dads
Most severely disabled people

In other words, all those that don't pay income tax won't be able to vote ?
Or have I misunderstood your point ?

[DTCwordfan]

why not add women to your mix, dave, and step back a century or so? Good grief, how does such retrogressive and bigoted thinking even emerge in these days.

[Baldric]

Great Idea, let's patronise the Electorate a little bit more, shall we?

[DTCwordfan]

just replied by the way to your message, mikey, excuse this agc!

[mikey4444]

Thanks DTC...reply just made.