This Election Coverage Is Getting On My Nerves.

[10ClarionSt]

The BBC in particular seem to be giving it blanket coverage. I think it's true to say that virtually everyone knows already who they will vote for. A tiny fraction of people may be undecided, but does the amount of coverage warrant that? A large section of people will not vote at all. Was it not something like 35% last time? Even so, if these people are the target, would it be reasonable to assume that they would already know who they would vote for, if they were going to? But I think whoever forms the next government will legislate for many things contrary to what they have been saying in this campaign.

[mikey4444]

Clarion...I have no time at all for people that can vote but won't. It isn't just the BBC that is giving this Election blanket coverage...its every media in the country.

This Election is likely to be the most important for decades, but if people can't be bothered to get off their behinds and vote, they have effectively removed themselves from the opportunity to make any comments after this coming Thursday.

I have seen and heard an awful of reporters, on the TV and radio, asking people in the street why they won't be voting, most of them young people. But they just get vacant and ignorant replies. I heard one person on the Today Program yesterday say that he didn't even know who was Prime Minister was !

With ignorance like that, is it any wonder why some people don't vote. I cannot imagine what reason anybody could have for not knowing who the PM is, after 5 years. In fact, I don't believe people really mean that.

[Old_Geezer]

Unsure why it would get on one's nerves as one need not pay attention to it. Do as I do with the royal family nonsense, cuss at the papers wasting pages and pages and pages that the consumer buys, on non-newsworthy items, and turn over to something that should be there.

[EcclesCake]

In that case Mikey the blanket coverage isn't working to engage all of the electorate.

A different approach is perhaps needed?

[mikey4444]

Eccles...I am all for trying a different approach, but after 5 years of having dave as PM, I am uncertain what anybody can do when it comes to educating people who don't know who the PM is !

[Old_Geezer]

Opting not to encourage an inadequate potential representation removes no rights whatsoever. In fact someone who opts not to vote for someone they don't wish to represent them has more reason to complain than those who find someone worth voting for. They not only didn't have the opportunity to vote on the issues, they didn't even have the opportunity to vote for someone worth voting on the issues for them. Folk who aren't excited by politics should be able to rely on those who are doing the right thing.

[Svejk]

I like it. It's quite 'exciting'.

[mikey4444]

Clarion...we only get a chance every 5 years or so, to make our voices known, and part of living in a democracy is the willingness and sense of duty that comes with participating in altering the future. So if you are unhappy about the outcome of an Election but have steadfastly refused to take part, what value does anything you say have ? Its like complaining about not being invited to a party, that you had no intention of going in the first place !

By not voting you have effectively said that you don't care what happens, but by refusing to take part in the democratic process but still retaining the right to carp and moan afterwards, seems like hypocrisy of the worse type.

You can't have your cake and eat it too !

[mikey4444]

Clarion...what has paying your taxes and voting in an Election have to do with each other ? If we could get out of paying our taxes, by refusing to vote, then hardly anyone would bother !

[Old_Geezer]

"By not voting you have effectively said that you don't care what happens"
Patently not so. Although I see this unsupportable claim made in many places.

[Hopkirk]

What would you rather they filled the airwaves with, tittle tattle about baby names?

[naomi24]

Mikey, //after 5 years of having dave as PM, I am uncertain what anybody can do when it comes to educating people who don't know who the PM is ! //

You've lost me. What does Dave being Prime Minister have to do with people's ignorance?