NSC Ballot Box-European Elections-Thursday 22nd May 2014

[halbpro]

Generally. This kind of democracy will always be prone to corruption by the rich and corporate elites, and it has become quite extreme in the 21st century. If anything this kind of corruption is worse on a national scale, afterall we can see that it exists in practically every country now, whereas in the EU there are conflicting interests amongst those elites, depending on what they have invested in and where. Either way the EU is rife with corruption, whether it's the MEP's who earn a lot for doing very little, or whoever it is that sponsors them.

Is there then, in your opinion, a solution? Direct democracy seems impractical with the sheer number of people involved in modern nation states.

 

[Husty]

This thread may get interesting if people are honest who they vote for

I'll probably vote BNP, it has no more actual effect than spoiling your ballet paper but with the added bonus that scores upon scores of handwringers get very upset about it. I would obviously never vote for them if there was a chance of them getting in to anything meaningful.

 

[Badger]

Is it possible to do a "lucky dip" like you can with the Lottery?

 

[keaton]

Looking at the list of parties last night there is four or five seperate parties that are all anti-EU, the differences being one are keen to be British, one Uk and one English not British. Surely that's got to split the vote?

I will probably vote Green, but i'm going to have a look at see what the Peace Party is suggesting

 

[Goldstone1976]

Is it possible to do a "lucky dip" like you can with the Lottery?

Ha! I guess the closest would be to pull a random name out of the hat (literally, if you like) prior to going to the polling station and then tick that person's box (so to speak).

I suspect that I will spoil my paper this time around. "A pox on all your houses" might accurately reflect how I'm currently feeling...

 

[Westdene Seagull]

I don't vote for a party - I vote for the person who appears to best represent my views.

This poll is indicative of the real problem with modern politics - parties. If ballot papers didn't include details of the party the candidate stood for then voters would have to learn a little about what they stood for.

First past the post elections I agree with you but remember in this election all the candidates from the party are lumped together in a numerical order. You then vote for the party and depending how many votes the party picks up depends how far down their numerical list they get to go with MEPs.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Those of you voting UKIP, why bother? Your votes for BNP last time round didn't make any difference, did they?

Voting UKIP but have never and will never vote BNP so that somewhat blows your theory apart.

 

[Stumpy Tim]

I've already voted (postal vote) for the Lib Dems. At least Clegg had the balls to debate Farage. My natural political position is New Labour, so I can't bring myself to vote for Ed Milliband.

Farage is dangerous

 

[Kuipers Supporters Club]

The ballot for the South East also has these parties on:
Christian People's Alliance
English Democrats
Harmony Party
Liberty Great Britain
The Peace Party
The Roman Party
The Socialist Party of Great Britain
YOURvoice

 

[spring hall convert]

Blimey - looking at the poll now with Green's and UKIP well in the lead - what a complete kick in the teeth that would be for the 3 main parties.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Blimey - looking at the poll now with Green's and UKIP well in the lead - what a complete kick in the teeth that would be for the 3 main parties.

Indeed - Labour's poor showing is a bit of a surprise. Although that said, the pamphlet they've put through my door is 95% slagging off the Tories for what they are doing at a national level. Nothing like pushing Labour's EU policies Ed

 

[Notters]

Whoever doesn't spend most of their time slagging off the other candidates: probably the greens.

 

[Westdene Seagull]

Whoever doesn't spend most of their time slagging off the other candidates: probably the greens.

I'm anything but a fan of the Greens locally but I'll give them credit at the EU level as their paperwork actually tells me what they have done and what they plan to do as MEPs.

 

[JJ McClure]

Postal voted Conservative. They have Richard Ashworth amongst their MEPs and having heard him speak a few times I'm more than happy to vote for him.

 

[tinycowboy]

Indeed - Labour's poor showing is a bit of a surprise. Although that said, the pamphlet they've put through my door is 95% slagging off the Tories for what they are doing at a national level. Nothing like pushing Labour's EU policies Ed

Whoever doesn't spend most of their time slagging off the other candidates: probably the greens.

I'm voting Green. I like their beliefs and policies (and pamphlet) the best. Not impressed with the point-scoring Labour effort.

 

[supaseagull]

In parliamentary and local elections I've always voted for Labour. However, in the last Euro's I voted for the English Democrats. This time I'm serious considering UKIP, just more as a protest vote than anything.

I'm fed up with the big three smearing UKIP just because they are becoming more popular with the electorate and are in danger of breaking the traditional three party system that's effectively been in effect in England for the past 90 years. Instead of criticising them, I've heard no policies from Labour, the Tories are still ridiculously divided on Europe and that will come out after the election. The Lib Dems - well people say you can't trust Labour with the economy. It appears after the last General Election that you can't trust them to deliver on ANY of their pledges.

The Greens? Thanks but no thanks look at what the mess they've made of Council's in England and in particular Brighton & Hove and there's no one else who I think deserves my vote other than Jean Louis Pascal of the Roman Party Ave!

 

[spring hall convert]

I'm anything but a fan of the Greens locally but I'll give them credit at the EU level as their paperwork actually tells me what they have done and what they plan to do as MEPs.

Fair play. I'm not sure we needed the qualifier though, I think your signature gives you away!

 

[spring hall convert]

What do we think turnout will actually be though? I doubt it will be over 30%.

 

[supaseagull]

What do we think turnout will actually be though? I doubt it will be over 30%.

I think because of the UKIP element in this election that turnout will be nearer 40-45% which will be a good indication of next years voting intentions.

One thing I didn't say with UKIP is that if they have a proportion of over 25% of the vote! then that will be enough I think for people to vote for them in next years General. Previously, they were still too much of a fringe party for anyone to take them seriously on that scale.

There's also one other factor to take into consideration which is that despite my own political opinions, if Labour take an absolute trouncing in the election, which I think they may do, due to the weak leadership of the party, then I think that the party may ditch Milliband.

 

[Seagull1989]

Can't believe people still vote green! 20 mph zones through out Brighton. More bus and cycle lanes! Letting travellers into our parks!