Well,I did something today I have never done before!

[Mr Veritas]

I have voted in every General Election since approx 1945.
However today I spoilt my paper.
I put a line through all the candidates,and wrote in large bold letters "Expenses".
Now,I expect many ABer's to scold me for this,but do you know I couldn't care less because it made me feel better!
Our constituency is a safe Conservative seat,,so losing my vote won't make a ha'porth of difference.I was just so angry over this and it seemed my only way of expressing myself.
I rest my case.

[ummmm]

I thought ALL votes had to be counted. Even the 'none of the above' ones....and spoilt papers.

[boxtops]

I think they're counted, ummmm, to see how many are spoilt, but they "don't count" in the results.....

[ummmm]

Obviously....as they aren't voting for anyone.

And the winner is.................... scribble

[AB Editor]

Hi Mr.V,

Good show. Means a little more when a man of your standing does it!

Spare Ed

[boxtops]

Hey I like that ummmm, The Scribble Party. Looks like the PLEBs were non-starters!

[Rosetta]

I have seen a suggestion that Non Of The Above should be treated as a candidate and if N O T A win that the ballot has to be held again. Its very unlikely to happen but gives a mechanism if the electorate loathe the all the candidates

[Ellipsis]

Mr V, good on you. I have spoilt my paper in two previous elections when voting in "safe" seats.

Now I have the dubious benefit of living in a marginal, I have the responsibility of voting for an individual whose personal sentiments I abhor, because they represent a party whose collective sentiments I, on the whole, agree with. Anjd I prefer that choice to PR which, with the benefit of hindsight and experience, I believe would actually take choice away from more people than it gave it to.

[Mr Veritas]

Lucy,
My protest was only meant to be seen by (and have any effect on) one person,and that was me!
If you cannot understand this,then you haven't read any of my reasons/answers above.
If you haven't you have jumped in feet first,and this makes your answer as null and void,much as my voting paper was!LOL

[jake-the-peg]

Spoiling a ballot paper is a more effective protest than not voting - especially if large numbers do it.

However I must say there is a significant stench of hypocracy about the expenses outrage.

I note that certain people decide their electoral allegiance on who's going to give them the best tax break - inheritance tax for example.

Seems that much of the outraged electorate are quite up for taking a bribe from the politicians!