I note that the recent election in Iraq, where there is the possibility of getting blown up on the way to the polling station or being killed merely for the act of voting, resulted in a turn out of 62%.
Don't you think it makes the turn out at our last General Election of 61.4% look rather pathetic?
I do Bob, but using IED's to up the turnout doesn't strike me as a positive move, except in Islington of course!
Guest 640- Registered: 21 Apr 2007
- Posts: 7,819
Yes a pretty impressive turnout in Iraq despite the bomb and the bullet.
This election this time here in the UK might see more of a turnout than previously. The Labour governments have been in power for a generation. Many voters have never known anything other than a Labour government, so there is an urge particularly among younger voters to try the clean cut fresh faced Tories rather than linger further with the crumpled features of the beleagured Gordon B.
But despite Public Relations imagery which is everything these days, in recent polls there has been a bit of a recovery for Labour...perhaps the crumpled shoveller is a better option than the untried polyester suited readymades David C and his Boy George.
The main reason people dont bother to vote here in the UK is that there is nothing specifically to vote for. In Iraq they are voting for something, very often their lives. Here in the UK the voter wont bother if say its raining, or there is a match on tv or something...or heavens maybe even an X Factor final. Gordon and Dave dont have the appeal of Cheryl clearly.
But the ultimate reason you might hear from the guys down the pub who havent exercised their voting right is..."They're all the bleedin same mate!" "Lining their own pockets!"
So the feeling here is that no matter who you vote for wont make a blind bit of difference to anything. The Parties try as they might , are failing to highlight the differences between each other. On top of that the current disgust with politicians wont help the turnout either.
However the urge for change, change for change sake, might just bring a better turnout this time round.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
the blues are actually using the slogan of "change", be interesting to see whether it strikes a chord with the voters.
don't see it myself, but as said by paul, people get fed up looking at the same faces and the new image of the blues might work.
did in 1997 with the tired looking john major and the bright sparkling tony blair.
Well, if DC can back up the slogan with something the p[ublic can see as less intrusive government, less taxation, more honesty and accountability, it might work.
After Tory Sleaze and Labour Lies it should be the right time for the LibDems to step up, but somehow I doubt they will.
Guest 651- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 5,673
Sid, don't forget Vic, could be the saviour of the country
Been nice knowing you :)
More like the saveloy of the country! No hard feelings Vic, just a bit of fun.
howard mcsweeney1- Location: Dover
- Registered: 12 Mar 2008
- Posts: 62,352
on the face of things, victor and his party seem to be the most active in the run up to the election.
chas seems to be involved in some issues locally, but the other 3 are extremely quiet.
would be nice to hear from them.
Brian Dixon
- Location: Dover
- Registered: 23 Sep 2008
- Posts: 23,940
knock,knock any one there.