AV

[smart1]

I'm for it. Anyone else made a 'yes' or 'no' decision on AV?

[Teddy_boy]

I didnt say make it compulsory. My suggestion would save time and money. If only 40% of the country can be bothered to vote , then only give the vote to those who want it / bother voting. And women who dont value the vote that theyve only had for about 80 odd years should lose the vote that they cant be bothered using too.

[Teddy_boy]

mike why give a vote to someone that cant be botherd using it?Use it or lose it.

[Old_Geezer]

Why should someone decide to take away a fundamental right to vote just because someone uses their fundamental right not to vote, and then sarcastically claims it's a case of not bothering ? Sounds like a desire to bully others to me.

[Old_Geezer]

I'm all for Anti Virus. Without it using the PC on the Internet would be such a risk.

[Teddy_boy]

Geezer think what you will but its not agod given right. Its a right that was fought for . And its the people who dont bother getting off their lazy backsides that are disrespecting and disregarding the vote and its value.As i said its not a god given right and if they dont use it / want it , then take it back.

[mike11111]

Voting is a right, and we should have the choice whether to exercise those rights or not. I intend to vote in the referendum because I have strong views. I shall be voting in the council elections because I have an interest in punishing the present local administration. However there may be times when the outcome of a particular poll is of supreme indifference to me, so why should I be forced to vote when I couldn't give a ***?

[Teddy_boy]

Fun·da·men·tal/ˌfəndəˈmentl/
Noun: A central or primary rule or principle on which something is based.
Hardly fundamental right as women have only had the vote in the UK since the late 1920s.As i said it should be used or withdrawn in my opinion.

[Teddy_boy]

Ive made my opinion crystal clear. I always vote and think that laziness and indifference are no excuse not to put a x in a box.I suspect most of them wouldnt care a jot if they lost their vote. But theyd be more bothered by losing access to satellite Tv or the internet.Voting for many people doesnt rate highly in their lives im afarid.

[Old_Geezer]

Teddy, you surely must admit to just being insulting and argumentative; I presume in an attempt to troll because I don't see any other reason it could be. Any connection to "lazy backsides" is in your mind, and not reality. No one is justified in telling another what they think or why they choose to do, or not do something. If you want to know why they opt not to vote then ask those than abstain rather than tell them ?

[Old_Geezer]

I am sure you must be aware that things become fundamental. As I said, a clear but clumsy attempt at trolling.

[Teddy_boy]

i am merely stating my view. Andyou cant ask someone who doesnt bother to appear. I have no interest in personal attacks and i shall leave you to this . I am entitled to my opinion and i have expressed that. Obviously not a fundamental right in your eyes?Smacks of double standards on your part. If i express an opinion contrary to you im being insulting and argumentative?You really dont favour opposing opinions do you? I stand by my opinions , but as im not in power they are only opinions and not laws imposed by me on anyone. Good evening to you.

[mike11111]

It might be of some benefit to recall how voting was organised in the USSR. At every election the Communist Party was returned with 99.99% of the vote (not 100%, note, as this gave the impression that voters had a real choice. On entering the polling station the elector was given a ballot paper containing the name(s) of the candidate(s). If satisfied with this all he had to do was place the paper in the ballot box, unmarked. This was a sign of approval. Although there was never a choice of an alternative candidate, it was possible to reject those proposed, by crossing out all the names. To do this one had to request a pencil from the polling clerk and go into a booth. It took a brave man to do that!

[morleyman]

Ed Balls is my MP and I voted for him, he got in with about 32 per cent, with Tories in 2nd place and Lib Dems a close 3rd.
Under AV, the UKIP and BNP candidates would have been first to go without making any difference. So the Lib Dem votes would then be counted and somehow I think the Tories would have taken the seat for the first time ever.
Nevertheless I believe that the winner should poll 50 per cent plus, so I have voted (by post) for AV.

[askyourgran]

Most definately No. If I vote for someone I vote just for the party of my choice, I don't want my vote to be recounted to prop someone elses ailing party up. If it aint broke don't fix it.

[MarkRae]

A resounding 'no' from me, and not just because we simply can't afford it at the moment. AV is at present used only in Fiji, Papua New Guinea and Australia - Fiji is planning to abolish it, and it's hugely unpopular in Australia. The only reason we're even having this referendum is because it was one of Nick Clegg's demands in the coalition negotiations and, if it doesn't happen, the Lib Dems have threatened to no longer support the Tories, which would pave the way for Labour to table a vote of no confidence in the government.