'None of the Above' candidates for next general election.
Just imagine looking down your ballot paper: 'Tory'... 'Lid Dem'... 'None of the Above'... I know where I'd put my cross.
I no longer see any viable choice for my vote in our current electoral system; a system designed to keep out new parties and in effect limit our choices. Thanks to the Lib Dem's monumental error of judgement in negotiating for a referendum on a system that nobody wanted, we shall never see an opportunity for reform for a generation. So I propose a 'vote of none of the above at the next elections.
I was a Lib Dem voter, but like many, this is no longer the case. I am now trying to work out who to vote for. Labour: Incomparable, reactionary, ideologically bankrupt; Tories: the politics of self-interest; Lib Dem: Sell their convictions for trifling concessions. And voting for other, smaller parties is almost a wasted vote in an FPP voting system.
If we could raise as many £500 deposits as possible and ask people to stand as a figurehead for the campaign in their constituency, we could actually create the first registered, un-ignorable protest vote.
Such a campaign would be reliant on persuading politicians or anybody else. It is simple, doable and would send a clear message that we are sick of the ruling class taking advantage of the apathy that they themselves create on a daily basis. Every time I hear a politician failing to answer a straight question, every time I realize that all the main parties are much the same and have an interest in keeping the status quo I think... 'None of the above’.
Hamish
shared this idea
3 comments
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Lucy Desmond
commented
Unfortunately political parties only have to adhere to 5% of their manifesto under UK law, which makes a mockery of having them in the first place!
This is a great idea. I'm sick of people who have only studied politics or similar running our country into the dirt. We need people with actual life experience and experience of running a business, not someone who worked in PR for the media or some other toff who've never had to budget for themselves let alone a nation! Being told how something should be done and being able to put theory into practice are two very differing things!
Good luck with this suggestion. -
Anonymous
commented
There is little difference between the main parties. They are all guilty of ignoring their campaign promises, many treat the commons as a sneering arena and waste time exchanging personal insults. Do we need Parties at all? Do we need so many MPs? The USA has fewer and seems to manage with fewer - there's a sizable cut for you! Why not have a major None of the Above rebellion and take our power back? A clean sweep! We need a reminder as to the meaning of democracy. Frances.
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Andy
commented
Brilliant, I came here to add this idea, I've spoiled my paper for the last 10 years in an attempt to protest against a political system that only allows large parties any chance of getting MPs elected.
Andy
