How do you decide how to vote?

I forgot about how did I decide. Through reading the manifestos, listening to politicians on the radio and tv and reading. Occasionally I find a Tory candidate that I like, such as Rory Stewart, but finding one is not enough to make me change my mind.

I have always voted left of centre whether Labour or Libs or SDP. I completed the political quiz and scored in the high 80s for the 3 left of centre parties and 36% for the Tories. I'm surprised that it was as high as 36% quite honestly.

Boris Johnson is on record today as saying he HAS to take the £2200 pay rise on April 1st .Heres another reason why I vote SNP
"Ministers in The Scottish Government have not taken a pay rise since 2008 and I can confirm we will not do so this year either. We donate increases back to the public purse for spending on services. Where there is a will there is a way. "Nicola Sturgeon

M0nica

It starts with philosophy that underlies a party. Then I look at how the party currently interpretes that philosophy and whether it is in accord with my moral judgments.

Other aspects do feed in, like the quality of my local candidate, but in the end it centres on the philosophy of the party and its interpretation of that philosophy.

That is an interesting slant. Do you mean all four branches?

It starts with philosophy that underlies a party. Then I look at how the party currently interpretes that philosophy and whether it is in accord with my moral judgments.

Other aspects do feed in, like the quality of my local candidate, but in the end it centres on the philosophy of the party and its interpretation of that philosophy.

Interesting that I got jumped on for considering the Tories racist but no one picked me up about them not caring for the poor…very interesting

Thank you daisyanne

lilyofthevally did I say the Labour had no racist aboard ?? NO I didn’t unfortunately they are infiltrated everywhere Tories are and always have been from Winston C onwards
I don’t know enough about before

Jennifereccles having a few non white faces on board doesn’t make a cabinet not have racist views Pretti Patel being the ultimate example, about as much compassion as a wolf for its dinner

The party whose values most align with my own.

I take a lot of things into account. I usually read up on the various parties policies on issues that are important to me or that I think will effect the country positively or negatively. I have also been known to vote tactically.

I vote for the only party who have Independence on their manifesto..not tories who Scotland haven't voted for in any numbers since 1955 not Labour who are tories in red ties..and who seem to be happy ramping up the religious deivide in the west of Scotland by standing an ex Grand Master of the OO in the election and because of their fighting AGAINST equal pay for women in Glasgow for 10 years backed by the unions.
I'm a socialist and the SNP is the most left leaning party in the UK .

There's one party that I would never vote for...in view of their history and policies and I'm totally aware of my bias!
I then look at comments, manifesto's etc.

I read political comment and philosophy and decide which party is most likely in my view to reflect what I think is important for the good of society in general.

Ilovecheese

I don't usually have a problem with deciding who to vote for. I am so grateful for the NHS and the welfare state that it has been an easy choice to vote for the Labour party. I like common ownership and people getting together rather than the individualism of the Conservative ideology. It is only when the Labour party starts to look almost indistinguishable from the Tories that I start looking for a different box for my cross.

Interesting - about the common ownership. I find it too extreme but I do like the idea that a party is working for the common good. "Community", I like that too.

Thanks for the link Fanny. Interesting questions, result reassuring!

I start with the fact that both the larger parties are influenced by outside groups. That concerns me. An extreme of either of the big two would not get my vote because of this.

I want to vote for a party whose economic beliefs includes a mixed economy. That rules out the Conservatives and makes me double check the Labour Party.

So, it whittles down to a Labour candidate in a Labour party which I can believe has enough centrists to support a mixed economy or a centrist party. I don't see the Greens as 'centrist'. I have difficulty understanding what they would do other than their green arguments but I feel any party I voted for should be supporting those.

That's my bias dealt with. Then I would be looking at the manifestoes of the Lib Dems and Labour. I have to say I'd look at them with jaundiced eyes these days. I very much read the little they tend to say with the histories of the parties in mind. I would also (my bias again) be influenced by which party could get out, what I consider to be, the worst government that has existed since I was born.

This does seem a very negative process and I see quite a few of us are in very much the same position. How to turn a negative into a positive. It needs thinking about.

The policies, the belief systems that underpin them. The way the party, it’s ministers and leader have responded to the needs of the country.
A genuine commitment to nhs, education, social care, police -

I look at the issues, the parties past performance and also their attitudes and intentions towards the vulnerable in society. I vote for the party most likely to help the poor, the needy, the vulnerable. .

I don't usually have a problem with deciding who to vote for. I am so grateful for the NHS and the welfare state that it has been an easy choice to vote for the Labour party. I like common ownership and people getting together rather than the individualism of the Conservative ideology. It is only when the Labour party starts to look almost indistinguishable from the Tories that I start looking for a different box for my cross.

I would vote for party that would look after our NHS.
That would give education the priority it deserves.
One that would do something about poverty.
Not one that is only interested in lining it's own pockets.
That's probably why I am politically homeless now.

silverlining48

Yes GG am still waiting fir the 40 new hospitals, 50,000 new nurses and 40,000 new doctors as well as the 357 million £ saved every day/week/who knows....I am sure there are more examples of broken promises that I have forgotten but you get the gist I am sure.

Cannot disagree.

greenlady102

GrannyGravy13

In an ideal world all political parties should be legally bound to implement their manifestos, cannot see that happening anytime soon.

That would be difficult because stuff happens...like covid.

Difficult yes impossible I don’t think so.

For instance this Government had no increase to taxes in their manifesto, they are raising NI next month.

Yes GG am still waiting fir the 40 new hospitals, 50,000 new nurses and 40,000 new doctors as well as the 357 million £ saved every day/week/who knows....I am sure there are more examples of broken promises that I have forgotten but you get the gist I am sure.

GrannyGravy13

In an ideal world all political parties should be legally bound to implement their manifestos, cannot see that happening anytime soon.

That would be difficult because stuff happens...like covid.

I do my due diligence. I look not only at what the party manifesto says but what the party leader says and does. When its local elections (parish and council) I also take into account what the local candidates are like in themselves and what they say they will do.

I have just done Fanny’s questionnaire. Quite interesting, with varied questions. Result confirmed what I already know, which is that I am quite some distance from our current government. Other than once, many years ago, when I supported a woman, yes, MrsT, I have never voted conservative, so sadly my vote rarely counts where I live. Which is interesting as I remember reading about ‘ The working man’s Tory vote ‘ as an unexplained issue much debated at the time.

In an ideal world all political parties should be legally bound to implement their manifestos, cannot see that happening anytime soon.