Register to vote or be fined

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:23 pm

Why? How and why can they fine you?

I have a choice to vote and should have the same choice whether I register. Voted once in my life and have no intention of voting at the next election (local or national).

Yes I know some people would love the right to vote. And some women burnt their bras etc. Or was that for somet' else?

Anyway. Anyone else not bothered to?

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:29 pm

You should vote, everyone who is able to should vote.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:32 pm

Bin Ont Turf wrote:You should vote, everyone who is able to should vote.

Nobody should have to do anything they don't want to.

If there is a cause or a party or something I was passionate about I would vote.

DCWat · Post by **DCWat** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:44 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Nobody should have to do anything they don't want to.

If there is a cause or a party or something I was passionate about I would vote.

Working, paying taxes, the list of things that people dont want to do but should have to do is a bloody long one.

Not voting is a little strange. There's not a thing in your life that's not, in some way, affected by politics.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:45 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Nobody should have to do anything they don't want to.

You are of course correct, and even though I don't know what you think about having a Tory government or us leaving the EU, people who don't vote have nothing to moan about in either case.

Foulthrow · Post by **Foulthrow** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:46 pm

People don't vote and then get annoyed when politicians do things they don't like.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:52 pm

Bin Ont Turf wrote:You are of course correct, and even though I don't know what you think about having a Tory government or us leaving the EU, people who don't vote have nothing to moan about in either case.

I am not bothered about having a tory government. Push comes to shove prefer it. But not overly fussed either way. Leaving the EU. I wouldnt have been overly upset had we remained and not overly upset that we are apparently leaving but it is the only time in my life I have voted and the only thing I have ever felt compelled or passionate enough about voting for.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:54 pm

Foulthrow wrote:People don't vote and then get annoyed when politicians do things they don't like.

I don't vote and don't get annoyed. I find politics tedious and voting fairly pointless.

My life is good, enjoy my work, but that is totally unrelated to any vote I have ever made. And living under a Tory government doesn't make life feel any different to me personally to living under a labour one.

Bin Ont Turf · Post by **Bin Ont Turf** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:54 pm

Racist or Remoaner then?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:55 pm

DCWat wrote:Working, paying taxes, the list of things that people dont want to do but should have to do is a bloody long one.

Not voting is a little strange. There's not a thing in your life that's not, in some way, affected by politics.

It isnt strange if you dont feel strongly enough about one party or manifesto etc than another.

What is strange is fining people who dont register. What is the logic and legality behind this?

minnieclaret · Post by **minnieclaret** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 9:59 pm

there are certain countries, Australia is one, where voting is compulsory.
I've long thought it should be compulsory, made a holiday but there should be an abstain box if you don't fancy any of them.

Foulthrow · Post by **Foulthrow** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:00 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:It isnt strange if you dont feel strongly enough about one party or manifesto etc than another.

What is strange is fining people who dont register. What is the logic and legality behind this?

You're right though - it makes no sense to fine people for not registering to vote or not voting. This would only make people more disillusioned with politics. There are plenty of other areas that should be looked at if there is serious demand for reforming the way our democracy works.

You're also right to point out that Tory or Labour, in the EU or not, in the end, doesn't make much difference.

spadesclaret · Post by **spadesclaret** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:00 pm

It is cricketfield's right to choose not to vote.

The only reason I can think of for fining people who don't register is so that the government can keep tabs on everyone

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:02 pm

Not voting or registering should be an option. Not forcing people. If people feel strongly enough they will register. And if enough people don't that should give the parties and the government the kick they need to shake things up and give people a reason to feel compelled to do it.

Why fine people?

The cynic / conspiracist in me thinks its all about monitoring who is where etc

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:02 pm

spadesclaret wrote:It is cricketfield's right to choose not to vote.

The only reason I can think of for fining people who don't register is so that the government can keep tabs on everyone

Spooky. Ditto.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:03 pm

Foulthrow wrote:You're right though - it makes no sense to fine people for not registering to vote or not voting. This would only make people more disillusioned with politics. There are plenty of other areas that should be looked at if there is serious demand for reforming the way our democracy works.

You're also right to point out that Tory or Labour, in the EU or not, in the end, doesn't make much difference.

Exactly. I have done it just to avoid the risk of being fined. And for nothing else. And as you rightly put has made me even more disillusioned with politics.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:05 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Nobody should have to do anything they don't want to.

If there is a cause or a party or something I was passionate about I would vote.

CFC the 1st part of that when applied generally leads to anarchy

while I share some of your frustrations politically (something to be passionate about) understanding what people had to go through (including the ordinary man) is a damn sight more than burning bra's - the struggle for democracy you see on tv around the world was not that much different in this country - just much earlier in history

IanMcL · Post by **IanMcL** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:06 pm

People who do not vote possess an opinion with no substance. If you cannot contribute to decide who makes decisions, then anything you say, for or against the winners, carries no weight.

spadesclaret · Post by **spadesclaret** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:08 pm

IanMcL wrote:People who do not vote possess an opinion with no substance. If you cannot contribute to decide who makes decisions, then anything you say, for or against the winners, carries no weight.

It is still cricketfield's right to choose not to vote.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:10 pm

spadesclaret wrote:It is still cricketfield's right to choose not to vote.

yes and by not doing so he gives up the right to complain about any decision by local or central government

No Ney Never · Post by **No Ney Never** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:13 pm

If you don't register they will fine you. How do they know who they're fining if you haven't registered?
If they do know who they're fining, then what's the point having to register if they already know who you are?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:13 pm

Chester Perry wrote:yes and by not doing so he gives up the right to complain about any decision by local or central government

Including the £80 fine presumably too

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:14 pm

IanMcL wrote:People who do not vote possess an opinion with no substance. If you cannot contribute to decide who makes decisions, then anything you say, for or against the winners, carries no weight.

Not strictly true.

Colburn_Claret · Post by **Colburn_Claret** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:17 pm

Bin Ont Turf wrote:You should vote, everyone who is able to should vote.

You can't force people to vote, but they should be made to go to the ballot box. It irks me that people dismiss and take for granted something that others have fought and died for throughout history.
They can make a paper plane out of their voting slip, just do it in the booth.

Chester Perry · Post by **Chester Perry** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:21 pm

cricketfieldclarets wrote:Including the £80 fine presumably too

actually yes - cross information from the electoral roll is used for census information, council tax to name some also used as a basis of determining what kind of funding can be obtained from Central and European (for now) government.

Belial · Post by **Belial** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:26 pm

Whilst I would always vote based on what knowledge I have, the issue with people 'having' to vote is that some are likely to base their opinion on one, or very few issues which affect, or they think affects them only. That could be a war, immigration, or a bloody pothole in their street. Others are likely to vote (as has been the case) largely due to the influence of whatever form of media they choose to read/view and the biased opinions of the contributors, and therefore their votes actually do nothing but magnify the ill-informed opinion of small groups in the public eye (as has been recently evidenced) so in a sense the vote isn't a true indication of the full understanding of the factors or consequences involved

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:29 pm

So choosing not to vote a particular circus to run the country means someone's opinion isn't valid and they can't moan?
Stuff off

.

There isn't a massive amount that changes for the average person nowadays regardless of who's in charge in the UK.

Prices go up, taxes go up, the NHS apparently gets worse, education varies, cost of houses go up and we still have financial crashes every so often.
Oh and we still get involved in dickish wars.

Why bother voting if little will change for the good?

If there was a "non of the above" box then great, but there isn't is there?

As mentioned, its just so they can keep track of people, but some people don't want to be on the electoral role, they don't want to vote, they don't want to be tracked.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Wed Apr 05, 2017 10:31 pm

Belial wrote:Whilst I would always vote based on what knowledge I have, the issue with people 'having' to vote is that some are likely to base their opinion on one, or very few issues which affect, or they think affects them only. That could be a war, immigration, or a bloody pothole in their street. Others are likely to vote (as has been the case) largely due to the influence of whatever form of media they choose to read/view and the biased opinions of the contributors, and therefore their votes actually do nothing but magnify the ill-informed opinion of small groups in the public eye (as has been recently evidenced) so in a sense the vote isn't a true indication of the full understanding of the factors or consequences involved

Said exactly what I was thinking but articulated in a better way than I could think of.

tim_noone · Post by **tim_noone** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 12:42 am

If im honest ive always enjoyed life and working life under the tories from a financial point of view , but for some strange reason i voted for bliars new labour probably the hype going on at the time ,and wasnt happy how the tories treated the miners etc.so i voted for a party with bliar as its leader. He is one of many with blood on his hands not only our soldiers but men women and children throughout the middle east who are still being blown up daily.and to ponce about as a middle east peace envoy is sickening. Thats why i wont/dont vote.

claretandy · Post by **claretandy** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 5:58 am

We should get rid of postal votes to stop fraud, it should only be for those with a vaild medical reason.

Claretmatt4 · Post by **Claretmatt4** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:13 am

I wonder if it's anything to do with making a few more pounds and nothing to do with trying to get people to vote...

Vegas Claret · Post by **Vegas Claret** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:29 am

let's have it right, your vote counts for **** all nowadays - decisions are made far higher up the food chain than any of us will ever be

Burnley Ace · Post by **Burnley Ace** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:31 am

They don't need a. Outing register to keep tabs on you!! Why do you think there is a big push for a "cashless" society and paying benefits directly into a bank account? Once everyone is forced by necessity to have a bank account not only will they know whee you live but what you spend your money on. There are already laws that allow the police to sieze your money if they are "suspicious as to its provenance and you then have to show the Court where you got it from and there is pending legislation that will allow banks to limit the amount of money you can take out of your bank at any one time (which is already in force in some European countries) "they want to control your money!!

The last thing they want is everyone voting, I think we have enough evidence of the problems caused by stupid people thinking they should have a say in important decisions.

They want people like the OP who can't be bothered and just meander along nice and complacent.

Sidney1st · Post by **Sidney1st** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:32 am

tim_noone wrote:If im honest ive always enjoyed life and working life under the tories from a financial point of view , but for some strange reason i voted for bliars new labour probably the hype going on at the time ,and wasnt happy how the tories treated the miners etc.so i voted for a party with bliar as its leader. He is one of many with blood on his hands not only our soldiers but men women and children throughout the middle east who are still being blown up daily.and to ponce about as a middle east peace envoy is sickening. Thats why i wont/dont vote.

I also voted Labour when I made my first and only ever vote, turns out that was a bad move and I've never voted since, but if I was to vote it would definitely be Tory.
Similar reasons to yourself too.

KRBFC · Post by **KRBFC** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 7:50 am

Politics is absolute horse crap, probably the most boring topic of conversation ever. All politicians talk a good game and lie through their teeth yet people sit and argue about it. Mass manipulation at its finest, a brainwashed society full of sheep.

Bertiebeehead · Post by **Bertiebeehead** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:04 am

KRBFC wrote:Politics is absolute horse crap, probably the most boring topic of conversation ever. All politicians talk a good game and lie through their teeth yet people sit and argue about it. Mass manipulation at its finest, a brainwashed society full of sheep.

The most sensible post I've seen from you on here. You should just avoid talking about football.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:04 am

People who know me know i don't vote, never have never will! It's a load of ********! I don't moan, i have no interest in politics! This is definitely a big brother is watching you project. I look after my family, bring up the kids properly, the missus is happy, am generally a decent guy (i hope

) and that's all that matters to me. So fine away I'll still stick to my principles and won't be bullied in to doing something i don't want to do and STILL will not vote! This is my life. In the same breath i don't berate people who do vote or even have an opinion, the missus votes and i don't preach or moan about it i let her get on with it.

dushanbe · Post by **dushanbe** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 8:40 am

People who can vote but don't actually visit a polling booth, still vote by not voting.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:00 am

The biggest thing for me was brexit.

Democracy won and whatever your stance on it one side won over the other. Yet because it didnt go the way some wanted people behaved like spoilt babies, protested, made a huge fuss etc. Simillarly in scotland. The public spoke but because it was an unexpected and unwanted result for some they want it all redoing.

So if they make such a big fuss about a democratic decision going against them what is the point?

claretdom · Post by **claretdom** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:04 am

If they want to force people to either register or vote then on all ballot papers put a box with a none of the above option on it.

If that option wins all the named on the sheet stand down. Lets see how quickly the change is dropped

bf2k · Post by **bf2k** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:06 am

To not vote is a little strange but I agree with the OP again it is our democratic right to vote or abstain from voting.

Will this mean that MP who abstain in parliament will be fined?

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:07 am

I dont understand how people think its strange not to vote.

bf2k · Post by **bf2k** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:10 am

cricketfieldclarets wrote:I dont understand how people think its strange not to vote.

It's your chance to effect things and , for example, make a statement on which political model (party policy) you believe the country should employ.

cricketfieldclarets · Post by **cricketfieldclarets** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:19 am

But what if its a cause or a party i dont believe in?

Or what if the response is like post brexit and post scottish referendum?

boatshed bill · Post by **boatshed bill** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:21 am

IanMcL wrote:People who do not vote possess an opinion with no substance. If you cannot contribute to decide who makes decisions, then anything you say, for or against the winners, carries no weight.

What if you don't believe in, or have no faith in the system?
Isn't choosing not to vote expressing a valid opinion?

martin_p · Post by **martin_p** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:30 am

If you pay tax or claim benefit the government knows where you live. If people are not registering to vote because of 'big brother' concerns they are sadly mistaken.

WestMidsClaret · Post by **WestMidsClaret** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:36 am

Not concerned martin, not arsed either way

i still won't be forced in to voting!

quoonbeatz · Post by **quoonbeatz** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:38 am

i've always voted because i feel i've got a responsibility to myself to make sure my voice is heard, even if its ignored.

politics has become a massive turn off though and its difficult to to be enthused about any of it right now.

yet having always voted, i'm really struggling to decide who to vote for right now and at upcoming elections; i don't feel like anyone really represents me anymore, there's no one and no party to believe in and with the way our voting system works, there's little point anyway outside of the main parties.

i doubt i'm alone either, i think there's going to be a lot of disenfranchised people out there in the future, especially in the younger generations, and that's really bad for the country.

martin_p · Post by **martin_p** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:43 am

A fairer voting system is the answer.

boiledclaret · Post by **boiledclaret** » Thu Apr 06, 2017 10:50 am

Vegas Claret wrote:let's have it right, your vote counts for **** all nowadays - decisions are made far higher up the food chain than any of us will ever be

Politicians are nothing but errand boys/girls for the hierachy.
All news is agenda.
All so-called democracy is influenced by mass media.

What happens if you hate the candidates, must you vote?

For example, take the US election. Hillary is a lying pedo protecting monster who should be in jail. Whilst the other candiate is a TV celeb and property mogul who doesn't think much of 'foreigners'

If I don't bother voting should I be seen as someone with 'no oppinion"
or worse still should I be seen as a 'criminal?