Should you vote tactically?

Especially if there is a hung parliament.

I think that if you are poorly, as ethel is, that makes a difference.

Also, is the banner of which party going to make that much difference this time around? Not sure.

I think the idea is that an MP supports his or her constituents, ethelt, not the other way round. What was your previous MP like? It seems you didn't like him/her or their politics well enough to 'support' them by voting them back in? I'd find that quite a useful political indicator myself.

farnorth, I just happen to think that whatever I vote it wouldn't make any difference. I told you all about it because I wanted to make a contrast to everyone having an opinion and I always said I would vote for the party that never makes a disparaging remark about the others.
As none of them do this I just stuck a pin in, after all the vote is a 'right' not a compulsion and many people deliberately spoil their voting paper, at least I did not do that. I will support whoever gets in.

Why bother telling us about it, if you care so little about the future of your country?

I voted by post last week and used a pin as I said I would so I cant remember who it was that got my cross. I am soooo fed up with the wrangling that I just don't care anymore. sorry if this offends anyone.

A variation on what seasider said. Our current MP is a good MP so I'm going to vote for him even though his Party is not the one I've historically supported. Better the devil you know....

No-one I've ever voted for in a general election has ever won. Just saying, bye the bye.

We have Labour saying vote for them or the SNP will allow the Tory blighters in. The Tories saying vote for them or Labour will get in. Both parties demonizing the Scots they were so desperate to keep in September totally terrified we might have a say. Vote Labour/conservative to stop the Scottish tail wagging the English dog is an actual quote. We were loved a wanted by the Westminster lot right up to the point they realised we had not gone quietly back into our box.

Vote NHA if you can and want to vote tactically. They hope to have more MPs than the green party.

www.bbc.co.uk/news/election-2015-england-32519907

Though I do not agree with his party's overall vision I will vote for my local MP because he seems to have a genuine interest in his constituency. I have had reason to contact him in the past and he has always helped so he deserves my vote!

It is a lot to read, Ana.

Heaven forbid!

It means I forgot to read my post before posting.
Or were you saying you were very tempted to read the article?

I'm very tempted...but I will show restraint.

Interesting, I mean. Not sure what intersting means.

An extremely intersting article about austerity.

www.theguardian.com/business/ng-interactive/2015/apr/29/the-austerity-delusion

It's also a long article.

I see, pompa. I think I misunderstood your use of the verb "like". My approach is similar to yours.

And your point is Maggie?

Thatbags, I take both into account for general elections, if I thought my candidate was useless, I would not vote for them regardless of party. Luckily we have one on the best MP's we have ever had and she supports a party I am happy with, so an easy decision.
When it comes to local elections, I want someone that will represent me at council level, I don't trust those that live elsewhere to do that, regardless of what they say, our village has suffered recently from such counsellors decisions. Party politics come second, with a few exceptions. That decision is also made and waiting to be posted.

GrannyTwice Mon 27-Apr-15 15:12:18

Unlike you I have never reported a post.

What this country needs are more unemployed politicians.

Edward Langley, Artist (1928-1995)

pompa, is it important, do you think, that one personally likes local politicians one might vote for? Or is it sufficient to like what they and their party stands for? I would have said the latter. I've have never personally known any politician sufficiently to even think about whether I liked them personally, nor does knowing them personally seem important.

A camel is a horse designed by a committee! Poor old UK.

I have to vote tactically because I live in a marginal constituency. However this time I have swapped my vote with someone in a safe seat and think that system is a really good idea. If you're interested , www.vote swap.org

OMG, am I glad I'm out of this process now, my vote has been posted, can't change anything now. BUT we also have to vote in the local election, that is a problem I have to address today, only two of the candidates lives anywhere near our village, one I don't personally like and the other is UKIP (no way). I am compelled to place my vote, but who ?.