UK voters...do you vote for, policies, local MP or national leader?

Question

Obviously, you vote for a local MP, but on what basis do you cast your vote?
Is it for party policies? Is it on the basis of what your local candidate does? or do you vote on the basis of what the national party/leader says and does?
Maybe you have another reason?

Answer 1

I always go by the national party's intentions.

Im not one of these narrow minded sods who say oooo im a Labour supporter... I am and always will be an England supporter and will support the party who will do the best for us...

I truly believe that Tony Blair has done a stand up job and will be dissapointed to see him go..... who will take his place??

I think the Torys are gonna get control in the next election. David Cameron is much more charismatic than any of the Labour candidates and I believe the Tory's could give us back a bit of that sense of individual character and power we used to have when Mrs Thatcher was in charge!

Answer 2

A whole number of reasons: local issues, economic strength, which party will get the best deal for Britain, the party with the policies I agree with. Sometimes, I look at the party which will help me on an important thing in my life (ie, when I was a student, I voted for the party who pledged to help more with student finance).

I can't understand why lame-brains don't bother voting. Even if the parties are quite similar at the moment, politics affects everything in our lives (look at the animated TV advert). If you take time to read the manifestos, you find there ARE pro and con ideas for each party.

I am very suspicious about soundbite politics. For instance, a lot of the 2005 election was fought on grounds of immigration, giving rise to lots of soundbites about asylum seekers, immigration quotas and so on. A kind of give-em-what-they-want style of campaigning which preyed more on people's fears and mental laziness than actual concrete debate and governmental ideas.

I do think image is important, but only up to a point. I always want our national leader to be someone of substance and elan vital. Iain Duncan Smith lacked these qualities and never filled me with confidence. How could a wet fish ever stand up to bullies in trade negotiations, or strengthen Britain's position in the world? However, the last election was a toss-up between the bloke who grins too much, against the bloke who can't pronounce the /l/ phoneme. A very trivial way of deciding our Chief Executive.

Answer 3

I vote for a local person on the basis of party policies. I actually read the stuff the local guys put in the letterbox and also use that to afffect my descision. its a pity that most of the time its a 2 horse race. its been a long time since i voted for either of those 2 parties

Answer 4

My vote is cast for the party that has the policies with which I agree most. At the last election it was Labour. They've got about 3.5 to 4 years to convince me. I think they will be heavily punished at the next election but it may not be a victory for the Cameronians. Behind Camo there are the grey suits, the men really pulling the strings. Do you really want Redwood, otherwise known as 'Spok' on the front bench? Wait and see.

Answer 5

MP: 25% guidelines: seventy 5% chief: 0% .... i assume a adverse % isn't conceivable notwithstanding it would want to be authentic. i do not vote for a personality or solid looks or television overall performance yet i might want to opt to imagine the chief knew what life replaced into truly about and had gravitas.

Answer 6

National Leader - I don't really know much about my local MP!

Answer 7

I'm a disaffected voter, can't cast a worthwhile vote in my area because one major party is totally dominant!!!!

Answer 8

I vote against the Tories

Answer 9

I don't vote - have never done so. Voting is taken by politicians and the state as a positive declaration of support for them and British democracy. I cannot accept this.

Answer 10

I generally find it a very wise choice to vote for the person with clean underwear.