Anyone else?

I think GN reflects its demography as far as party support is concerned.

So people over 71 largely support the Tories, but that has risen from the 50s or even 40s.

It is obvious that this forum does not reflect the country when you go on other forums or listen to phone ins etc.

I am amongst the priviliged minority of voters who can vote for the party we want to win, knowing that our candidate has a good chance of winning.

I support the Liberal Democrats and live in a constituency where the only two parties which could ever win are the Liberal Democrats and the Conservatives.

It has not always been like that. When we first moved here the Conservatives controlled every level of government - Parish Council, District Council, County Council, MP and MEP.

Gradually, over many years that changed, thanks to the hard work of so many Liberals and then Liberal Democrats, we started to elect councillors who did a good job, then in 1985 took control of the County Council. By 1997 we had our MP and a brilliant MEP.

I feel lucky to have been able to support good candidates who actually got elected and I understand how difficult it must be for people who passionately support the Labour Party and the Green Party in an area like ours, and for fellow Liberals in areas where our party never even comes second.

That is just one of the many disadvantages of the First Past The Post Electoral System which we must campaign to change to Proportional Representation if the UK is ever to become a true democracy.

At the moment I can’t bring myself to vote for any of the parties and yet I feel guilty not to exercise the vote that my grandmother fought to get.

The LP also wants to control immigration. It’s probably the first issue raised with activists involved in canvassing. The Rwanda scheme is just wrong on every level.

Our local refugee/asylum seeker support group confirms the majority seeking refuge are from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. No one could claim they’re safe places .

Maddyone... That's interesting as I too live in the Flick Drummond constituency, for my particular area she's been a very good visual MP.

Think your right LibDems will get Winchester, she will be out of a seat, which I personally think will be a shame.
This area with the boundary changes I am sure will stay Conservative, although with a drop in majority.

Cossy. I totally agree that everyone should use their vote. Yes, that is democracy.
Those who don’t vote have no right to complain about any consequences.

Sorry, OP, but unless we live in the constituencies where they are standing, we cannot vote for Sunak or Starmer. We do not have a presidential system, which is why I find these American-style debates with party leaders so tedious and pointless. Rant over (temporarily anyway).

I voted Reform (postal vote). This is the first time I have not voted conservative. I cannot in all conscience vote labour.

let's hear it for Count Binface

Reform, Andrew Parker. Lovely chap eh ? Represents your views? Good to know the company you keep and who you admire.

I have no idea who Andrew Parker is but the comment was very rude. I’d be pretty certain that biglouis is not a personal friend of this bloke, so what’s your problem? Are the rest of the candidates squeaky clean or something ? I somehow doubt that.

We live in an extremely Labour area of Wales with a go old candidate. But I have never , ever v opted Labour, and here, a Conservative would never get elected. So tactical vote? Plaid Cymru ? I am really torn.

I feel the same as Maddyone, I know Ive never been so uninspired in an election.I want the boats to stop, the NHS sorted, more housing and our young people to be able to afford a home, the young are the ones I worry most about. Future seems so bleak for tgem.

It’s not good for youngsters here in Oz, either, so you are not alone. The cost of houses is on a par with London which is ridiculous for those starting out. We were so,so lucky when we were young but we didn’t even realise it, just took it for granted. Mind you, we worked very hard but at least we were rewarded for our efforts !

Our current MP is a Tory and he does a good job, so I shall vote for him. I don't want this town represented by a Labour MP because they seem to be more concerned about Palestine than Britain (I'm talking about our local candidate, not Labour generally).

nana8, sorry I can’t link but look at the Daily Mail on line for information as to who Andrew Parker is. Reform candidates and activists are referring to Sunak as “a f….g p…”, suggesting the army use asylum seekers as target practice and more. Disgusting racist dangerous people . Farage of course asks whether the other political party supporters are subject to similar oversight

I'm voting Lib Dem tactically to see the back of the Tory government.

Iam64

The LP also wants to control immigration. It’s probably the first issue raised with activists involved in canvassing. The Rwanda scheme is just wrong on every level.

Our local refugee/asylum seeker support group confirms the majority seeking refuge are from Afghanistan, Syria and Iraq. No one could claim they’re safe places .

To really control immigration we need stricter controls, we can expect even more boat crossings as Germany has made it harder to claim asylum. It has also increased the speed of deportations to failed asylum seekers, and restricted benefits to those who stay. So unless we follow that route it will never decrease to a manageable number. Starmer saying he will smash the smugglers is laughable,they are like the many headed Hydra, chop one off, another will take its place.

Germany currently takes more asylum seekers than other European countries .
You’re right Freya5, more people will attempt to get asylum from war torn countries, as well as climate change
So what would you suggest

Iam64

Germany currently takes more asylum seekers than other European countries .
You’re right Freya5, more people will attempt to get asylum from war torn countries, as well as climate change
So what would you suggest

Go down the same route as Germany is doing.

https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202406/medium-705687-screenshot-20240628-093812-com-facebook-katana.jpg https://www.gransnet.com/uploads/talk/202406/medium-401700-screenshot-20240628-093919-com-facebook-katana.jpg

Greyisnotmycolour

Reform, Andrew Parker. Lovely chap eh ? Represents your views? Good to know the company you keep and who you admire.

Get your facts right before accusing other posters.

nanna8

I have no idea who Andrew Parker is but the comment was very rude. I’d be pretty certain that biglouis is not a personal friend of this bloke, so what’s your problem? Are the rest of the candidates squeaky clean or something ? I somehow doubt that.

No one is saying the rest of the candidates are squeaky clean, but to be honest very few people would actually admit they agree with some of the views expressed by Farage and some of his candidates. Farage thinks this should be called “The Immigration Election” divisive and untrue! Yes, immigration is an important issue, yes it needs controlling. But this election and this country is about so much more, Farage would sink our economy without a trace if he was ever to form a govt!

As for some of the other comments about “letting immigrants drown” and “women belonging in the home”, what self respecting woman would support this?

No issue with the other parties whatsoever, or most of their candidates. We need good strong opposition, we need left and right and centre parties, we don’t need a fiscal nightmare and xenophobia and misogynism.

My boundary has changed. I have been moved from one of the biggest Tory (mainly rural) constituencies to a big urban con. which will probably vote Labour. Therefore, I will vote Tory to level out that vote as I don't like the idea on any Party having a huge majority and I just cannot be bothered with the smaller parties.

Nicenanny3

Greyisnotmycolour

Reform, Andrew Parker. Lovely chap eh ? Represents your views? Good to know the company you keep and who you admire.

Get your facts right before accusing other posters.

Interestingly the BBC news website quotes Mr Parker making a statement say that the views he stated on the programme were his own personal views.
So we are to presume it was not an actor.

Andrew Parker may indeed by both an Actor AND a Reform UK supporter!

He certainly has strong views and he was “canvassing” in Clacton and supporting Farage, who has rightly attempted to distance himself from this man’s views. Andrew Parker isn’t the first of his supporters to publicly state such extreme views. He won’t be the last.

The biggest issue here is that Reform UK will bring out the very very worst of our countrymen, those who openly support the National Front etc, even if I agreed with anything Farage says, (which I don’t), I could not support a party which has amongst its supporters a very hard extreme right who are extremely racist and homophobic. Why anyone would is beyond me.