Register to vote or be fined

[Imploding Turtle]

Are you registered to vote?
Yes
What's your name?
Why?
To confirm that you're registered to vote.
But i know I am.
I know, but i need to know that you are.
I just told you I am.
Yes, but I need to confirm it.
Why?
Because if you're not then i have to fine you.
Oh.
So, what's your name?
I reserve the right to remain silent.
What? You're not under arrest.
Oh. Are you not the police?
No.
Then i don't have to tell you my name.
Yes you do.
Why?
Just cos. Stop being a dick. What's your name?
Mike
And your surname?
Ocksosmall
Thank you. Finally. I'll be one moment while i find your entry
No problem.
I can't see Mike Ocksosmall... oh, ok dickhead.
Heh
You've now committed a criminal offence by supplying false information so now you'll be fined.
Oh, crap.
What's your name?
Well, see you later then.

[IanMcL]

All the above is a false representation. You need to be validated on arrival at the polling station, to demonstrate that you are on the list and entitled to vote. What's all this fining lark? That's rubbish.

[IanMcL]

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

Why we are leaving the EU then? What caused that? How come we have a Tory Government that hardly anyone likes, instead of a Labour, LIbDem,Green,UkIp, etc Gov who hardly anyone would like?

Locally, your vote has real impact on what goes on in your neighbourhood.

One vote got a colleague of mine elected as a councillor. (One more than the rival).

Someone who bothered made a big difference there - thanks to all those who bothered earlier to tie the vote.

[cricketfieldclarets]

All the above is a false representation. You need to be validated on arrival at the polling station, to demonstrate that you are on the list and entitled to vote. What's all this fining lark? That's rubbish.

Well on the one occasion I did vote I went in and all they asked was my name and address.

I could easily do that at several polling stations for people I know.

[Blackrod]

Many politicians( not all) lie or change their views to match an agenda if though they don't fully believe in it. A bit like people who make a career out out of corporate arse licking. They aren't being true to themselves. I don't agree with anything Corbin says but as a man he sticks to what he believes.

Local voting does help on local issues though and have a real impact. It's not just about your own personal lifestyle but helping the rest of the community. It's about helping aged people, vulnerable people, making sure your company can stay in business to employ you and others, public services, taxes etc I personally think it's neglectful not to vote but don't expect others to agree.

[lucs86]

Is this a hypothetical? Not seen anything about this, who's getting fined for not registering?

I'm guessing not registering to vote is different to compulsory voting like they have in Australia, but it seems like a step on the path towards it.

I'm a bit torn on compulsory voting, I think it's better for democracy if everyone's made to participate and engage in the decision making, even if it's just a spoiled vote, but I could easily see it lowering the level of the debate and generally making politics worse than it already is (as #26). So I don't know, I think a much better thing would be to replace FPTP to allow space for the growth of smaller parties that will be more representative and give current non-voters something they feel worth getting involved for.

Can't see how this has anything to do with Big Brother, unless you're living in the woods your name and postcode are on a list somewhere already, they aren't going to follow you to the booth and look over your shoulder, hardly a big deal.

[smudge]

I've voted in every election both local and national since I was 18.
Although I'm appalled at what Corbyn and his supporters are doing to the Labour party they will still get my vote.
I'm retired now and financially secure but when I
see what a Tory government like the one we have now treats the poor and vulnerable in this country I despair.
Most people who don't vote do so through laziness or apathy.

[Bertiebeehead]

I've voted in every election both local and national since I was 18.
Although I'm appalled at what Corbyn and his supporters are doing to the Labour party they will still get my vote.
I'm retired now and financially secure but when I
see what a Tory government like the one we have now treats the poor and vulnerable in this country I despair.
Most people who don't vote do so through laziness or apathy.

You're appalled by the Labour Party yet continue to vote for them? But not because you're lazy or apathetic?
Ok.

[Sidney1st]

That's also part of the problem, people vote for the same party regardless of who's in charge or what they've done.

There are probably still people who'd vote Blair back into power, if it was possible, simply because he's Labour.

[Blackrod]

Yes just to vote a party because you always do is ridiculous if the policies have fundamentally changed. If Labour ever changed their tax and spend policies and relationships with unions it always possible.

[Burnley Ace]

Everyone has an opinion, even a fool. We have had enough examples of the problems with democracy and trying to force democracy on others. There is something to be said for a Pittacus or Ghaddafi (as long as you are on the right side!)

[Vegas Claret]

Why we are leaving the EU then? What caused that? How come we have a Tory Government that hardly anyone likes, instead of a Labour, LIbDem,Green,UkIp, etc Gov who hardly anyone would like?

Locally, your vote has real impact on what goes on in your neighbourhood.

One vote got a colleague of mine elected as a councillor. (One more than the rival).

Someone who bothered made a big difference there - thanks to all those who bothered earlier to tie the vote.

I was talking in general Ian, over here it's well known that plenty of votes don't get counted, Russia and many of the middle east and Asian countries are clearly corrupt and fraudulent too.

Maybe at a local level you could well be correct, on a national level don't kid yourself, the common man has very little input into how things work

[smudge]

That's also part of the problem, people vote for the same party regardless of who's in charge or what they've done.

There are probably still people who'd vote Blair back into power, if it was possible, simply because he's Labour.

I am appalled at what Corbyn is doing to the Labour party but their are many good local Labour MPs.
My local MP being one of them and she will get my vote every time.
Before you say anything I live in Bradford not Burnley.

[No Ney Never]

I've voted in every election both local and national since I was 18.
Although I'm appalled at what Corbyn and his supporters are doing to the Labour party they will still get my vote.
I'm retired now and financially secure but when I
see what a Tory government like the one we have now treats the poor and vulnerable in this country I despair.
Most people who don't vote do so through laziness or apathy.

I don't normally get involved in these political threads too much because a lot of it is subjective, but when someone mentions 'the poor' in this country, for me it's bordering on taking the p*ss.

Poor.
Poor is having to walk for days in bare feet, with only the clothes on your back, in sweltering heat with little or no water to a refugee camp in the hope of food and shelter. Holding your children in your arms as they become infected and helplessly watch them die of malnutrition.

Poor in this country is simply not being as well off as some. That's not what I call poor. There are endless charities willing to help;
Homeless? There's shelter with accommodation.
Hungry? There's food banks.
Threadbare? There's clothing banks.
Skint? There's benefit payments claimable, etc.

There aren't any poor in this country, simply people not willing to put enough effort in or do whatever is necessary to get their way out of their predicament.

As for voting for one particular party whether they are any good or not. That's probably worse than simply not voting at all if one thinks they're all muppets.

[Spiral]

I don't normally get involved in these political threads too much because a lot of it is subjective, but when someone mentions 'the poor' in this country, for me it's bordering on taking the p*ss.

Poor.
Poor is having to walk for days in bare feet, with only the clothes on your back, in sweltering heat with little or no water to a refugee camp in the hope of food and shelter. Holding your children in your arms as they become infected and helplessly watch them die of malnutrition.

That isn't 'poor', that's abject poverty.

[smudge]

That isn't 'poor', that's abject poverty.

Charitys
Food banks
Clothing banks
Lifes wonderful in this country.
What more do the poor want surely not a decent wage a home and good schools and health service.

[No Ney Never]

Good schools and health services are accessible to everyone. A decent wage and a home is down to the individuals level of determination.

[Imploding Turtle]

I don't normally get involved in these political threads too much because a lot of it is subjective, but when someone mentions 'the poor' in this country, for me it's bordering on taking the p*ss.

Poor.
Poor is having to walk for days in bare feet, with only the clothes on your back, in sweltering heat with little or no water to a refugee camp in the hope of food and shelter. Holding your children in your arms as they become infected and helplessly watch them die of malnutrition.

Poor in this country is simply not being as well off as some. That's not what I call poor. There are endless charities willing to help;
Homeless? There's shelter with accommodation.
Hungry? There's food banks.
Threadbare? There's clothing banks.
Skint? There's benefit payments claimable, etc.

There aren't any poor in this country, simply people not willing to put enough effort in or do whatever is necessary to get their way out of their predicament.

As for voting for one particular party whether they are any good or not. That's probably worse than simply not voting at all if one thinks they're all muppets.

You need to learn the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty. If you don't think there are poor people in the UK, and I mean a lot of poor people, then you're exactly the kind of ignorant person who the Conservatives want us all to be.

[Sidney1st]

Of course there are poor people in this country.

There are also people who aren't willing to give up certain luxury items and would rather seek some form of handout instead first.

[No Ney Never]

You need to learn the difference between absolute poverty and relative poverty. If you don't think there are poor people in the UK, and I mean a lot of poor people, then you're exactly the kind of ignorant person who the Conservatives want us all to be.

Why do I need to learn the difference between absolute and relative poverty and what do you class as poor in the UK?

[Imploding Turtle]

Because you obviously think it's impossible to live in poverty while also living in a rich country.

I think if you're living on benefits you're poor. I think if you're working full time and still can't afford to feed your family without benefits, or food banks, you're poor. I think if you are working full time and can't afford to save any money while simultaniously having enough disposable income to go out whenever you like, you're poor.

[Imploding Turtle]

Of course there are poor people in this country.

There are also people who aren't willing to give up certain luxury items and would rather seek some form of handout instead first.

And do you think those numbers are about the same?

[No Ney Never]

Because you obviously think it's impossible to live in poverty while also living in a rich country.

Where have I said that? It's quite clear in my post what my view of poverty is in this country and its relativity to what poor really is.

I think if you're living on benefits you're poor. I think if you're working full time and still can't afford to feed your family without benefits, or food banks, you're poor. I think if you are working full time and can't afford to save any money while simultaniously having enough disposable income to go out whenever you like, you're poor.

That's simply your idea of poor. Relative is very much open to interpretation. I am relatively poor compared to Sean Dyche. I am better off than someone on benefits or needing a foodbank. I am extremely rich relative to someone who really is poor. There are a lot of people in this country who think they're poor. There are many more in the world who really are poor. I don't care for the statistics and figures spewed out about levels of poverty in this country, I know what poor is, abject and relative.

[Imploding Turtle]

Where have I said that? It's quite clear in my post what my view of poverty is in this country and its relativity to what poor really is.

I inferred it from your derisive comments about the notion of poor people in this country.

That's simply your idea of poor. ...

Well yes, because you ******* asked me what my idea of poor is.

[Sidney1st]

And do you think those numbers are about the same?

Hard to know really, I wouldn't even guess.

[KRBFC]

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?

I don't vote because I couldn't give a toss about politics, if I had a gun to my head and had to vote i'd flip a coin to decide between lying w**ker A and lying W**ker B. Am I really the sort of person you want to be voting against you based off a coin flip?

[Imploding Turtle]

I don't vote because I couldn't give a toss about politics, if I had a gun to my head and had to vote i'd flip a coin to decide between lying w**ker A and lying W**ker B. Am I really the sort of person you want to be voting against you based off a coin flip?

In that situation, if you had a gun to your head, i'd hope the coin landed on its edge.

[South West Claret.]

Only fined, I'd have them shot the lazy barstewards.. alright I'm feeling generous just wounded.

[icu81b4]

People that don't vote deserve what they get.

[IanMcL]

I was talking in general Ian, over here it's well known that plenty of votes don't get counted, Russia and many of the middle east and Asian countries are clearly corrupt and fraudulent too.

Maybe at a local level you could well be correct, on a national level don't kid yourself, the common man has very little input into how things work

I think that counts as fake news!

[cricketfieldclarets]

People that don't vote deserve what they get.

The same result as people who do vote?

[Sidney1st]

People that don't vote deserve what they get.

People that do vote constantly moan when the result of the vote doesn't go their way though

[Bin Ont Turf]

The same result as people who do vote?

Take the internet away and you're even more anonymous.

[Sidney1st]

No internet = no Turtle...

[boatshed bill]

As i see it you would be fined for not registering, voting is still not compulsory.
So what is the point of enforced registration?

[cricketfieldclarets]

As i see it you would be fined for not registering, voting is still not compulsory.
So what is the point of enforced registration?

Hurrsh. Someone has got the point.

[IanMcL]

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

No! It lets what you don't like prevail!

Sometimes the 'spoilt' ballot papers are more meaningful than the cross on a paper candidate! People write on them EG "None of the above" etc.

I have spoilt a ballot paper for the police commissioner, which I don't think should exist. I wrote accordingly. Not mine, but someone who wrote something similar was shown on TV.