h2g2 The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy: Earth Edition

it would be interesting if politicians had to keep some of there pre-election pledges

The left is not represented by Labour any more, so there's a bit of a gap in national terms. However in Scotland, the SNP are a centre-left party, and if we vote Yes in September, I think scotland will become more Scandinavian in its outlook.

I'm betting Welsh Labour is further to the left than English Labour too. I think Miliband et al have decided they can't win by veering to the left.

Of the non voters that I know, it wasn't a matter of apathy, or lost interest, it is a matter of lack of representation and they are spissed off with it

I think the way of ballot spoiling is one to be promoted in this situation but as some people just don't think too, or even know that they can

I think that I think the way of the ballot spoiling should be promoted *because*

are spoiled ballots looked at? is it worth writing a message on them?

or should people be more active pre-ballot and contact their MP / MEP / local councillor?

I understand that the candidates can examine the spoilt ballots, and can make a case to the returning officer that any may be a bona fide vote for themselves.

I should add that at the last election, it was touch and go for Jeremy Hunt, but he got a bit of a landslide after they examined the spoilt ballots.

I understand that they have to be read and therefore spoilt my ballot for the police commissioner with a small essay

They certainly have to be counted. If they had to read all the essays in the police commissioners elections I think they would have been there some time.

Polling was very slow but a fair few of who were turning up were taking their time in the booths

Spoilt ballots ultimately have no effect. Most politicians couldn't care less what the public thinks because they know better. They don't care about the non-voters because non-voters don't affect the result. Instead they try to analyse why people are voting for their rivals then they nick their policies to nick their voters.

I try to examine the candidates and see if any stand out, knowing at the end of the day they act as glorified social workers so you might as well get one that looks like a worker.

Failing that, scrub the extremists (BNP, English Democrats, Greens) and vote for the party you dislike least.

Above all, vote.

Greens are extremists?

I certainly am.

Bloody s coming over here, taking our policies!

I like the way we already have smiley representatives of all the main political parties:

Labour
Conservative
Lib Dem
Green
UKIP

Surely UKIP?

UKIP

Post 34 is sheer genius!

Being sheer, you can see right through it.