Has voter apathy ruined the U.K? In a recent survey British politicians were voted more sleazy than estate?

Question

agents, with that public perception, very few of the population voted and Tony Blair's Labour got another term. Labour is turning Britain into such a police state, that even the Scots want their own country, but arn't the voters to blame as well? Isn't voter apathy destroying the British way of life?

Answer 1

Voting apathy is only a problem for the elected representatives (MPs and councillors) of the people. They fear that if not enough of us turn out to vote, they will feel they do not have a mandate to govern. I think we reached that point about fifty years ago. If the turn out is under 50 percent, how can any politician legitimately claim to have received a mandate from the people to govern them?

Local elections are a case in point - the same shipload of cut-throats get re-elected time and time again. They draw huge expenses (at our expense) and waist their time going on various jamborees abroad to see if the wine is safe for us to drink back home.

MPs are the worse scoundrels. Many of these thieves draw expenses amounting to £150,000 pa on top of their already bloated salaries of £60,000. God only knows what government ministers are paid - something resembling a telephone number I should think.

On the whole I think the British people are let down badly by their representatives most of whom pay little or no attention what so ever to what we the people are saying, once they're elected that is - another five years on the jolly waggon at our expense. And to cap it all, these people want us to pay for their political parties and their profligate spending. Oh, never mind, the tax payer will foot the bill. VOTE NO to that by the way.

Answer 2

I am not typing all this again, cos I"m a bit busy today, but as per my recent post on a similar Q, here is what I consider we need to do to get the ordinary people to the polling stations. I consider it a duty to take part in the democratic process. So I personally would like to see compulsory voting to be enforced. That way we would see political parties elected to government by the real voice of the people, and not just because many of them stayed away from the polling stations giving the winning party an easy and unearned victory. Such steps would undoubtedly increase the turnout, give the candidates a reason to really earn the votes they do catch and maybe even canvass in a proper fashion to influence those of us who are undecided. I would love my local candidates to knock on my door and listen to my views, answer a few choice questions, and maybe I could even end up voting for one of them!! If anyone is still undecided who to place their cross against, they can always put 'none of the above' this would mean even though they hadn't felt confident enough in any of the choices given to vote for them, they have still used their ballot sheet, it will still be counted, and they will, after all have taken part in the democratic process which we all know is a right that has been vigourously fought for. That way, who knows, doorstep canvassing may make a welcome return and bring with it a new enthusiasm that is sorely lacking on both sides of the process and most definitely within those chambers of Westminster. An enthusiasm to get the country back on it's feet and get everybody working to that end. Make voting mandatory and we just might see a difference in both the politicians really earning their crust, and the electorate really looking into what they want from them.

Answer 3

I think that you are rather unfair. The mainstream parties have converged to such an extent that the Labour and Conservative parties have effectively crossed over in some of their policies. Legislation controlling free speech prevents politicians from voicing any opinion that is outside the limit of a narrow social - democratic viewpoint. When the law fails to penalise opponents of mainstream views, new legislation is promised. (Nick Griffin acquittal).
In such an environment, the problem is not much voter apathy as voter frustration at the lack of candidates able to offer alternative policies.

Answer 4

The UK is not ruined! Voter apathy is a problem, and should be rectified by introducing compulsory voting as in Australia (with the option of voting for "none of the above").

But I am at a loss to see why you people think the UK is ruined. We have record investment in the NHS - more people being cured of heart disease and cancer than ever before; more jobs than at any time since 1945; a booming housing market; record low interest rates; new school and hospital building that has neve been matched; more teachers, doctors, nurses and police officers; lower class sizes; more people staying on in education and achieving better exam results.

And whilst people like to think politicians are sleazy, name one current Member of Parliament that has been convicted of breaking the law. Don't throw accusations around when you do not have the facts to justify them.

Answer 5

The main problem is that Blair had the opportunity to clean up politics but instead he is personally more sleazy than any other PM and he is served by a group of incompetent cronies. I do not blame voters for losing faith, he promised them everything and has delivered nothing but unsafe streets, a sick NHS and thousands of immigrants lowering our standard of living.

Answer 6

The problem with democracy is that you only ever get the chance to vote for politicians. And they're the last people you want running the country.

Answer 7

It's not voter apathy - it's that voters aren't being presented with choices which reflect their views.
I would love to see 'none of the above' included as a choice.
I suppose I can dream!

Answer 8

Do you honestly believe they are anything more than Pigs at a trough, grabbing what they can before the farmer realises they've been fed once that day already. They are all scum bags who work to line their own pockets and get their name in history books for some stupid bill they suggested.

Answer 9

yep.
voters faith in any political parties is dying beneath a pile of despondency
when a party that uses common-sense over human rights, which so far has proved the criminals and low-lifes sometimes have more rights than ur average tax-paying hard-working joe public.

Answer 10

A great many people who don't vote aren't apathetic. They just really can't bring themselves to vote for any of the parties.