Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

Cheers tim :) case and point!

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

We are very lucky live in a democracy.

If the most poplar party happens to be one that many people do not agree with then those who disagree should have got out and voted.

I only hope those sitting at home moaning that someone with a different view to them got in will be spurred on to actually exercise their democratic right at the next opportunity before voter apathy leads to a system whereby a party in power actually manages to remove the democratic power completely.

The protest vote is also something that causes this problem. If we have mainstream parties X,Y and Z with people wishing to register a protest by voting for the hamster empowerment party or some other daft, single policy organisation, that just effectively removes "opposition" from "extremest parties" giving them greater chance of success.

Of course there is always the chance that local feeling it as such a level that the policy from an "extremest party" accurately reflects the local feeling in which case that is exactly what should happen in a democracy.

If you didn't vote or voted "for a laugh" you have no right to complain so far as I can see.

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

Actually I'm not so sure I did. If we lived on a little island that worked in isolation to the rest of the world then maybe you have a point, but it isnt that simple, in fact far from it.

There are jobs that are difficult to fill in the UK, even in the construction industry under normal circumstances. At the moment the world economy is in a situation that effects many industries but especially construction and vehicle manufacture.

In the IT industry we have seen it for years when employers move facilities off shore to gain benefits from lower salaries in countries like India and China. Actually the reverse is now happening. Cultural differences are causing certain problems but mainly the employees in those regions are sitting up and thinking "hey, I want a plasma TV and a couple of cars" just like those people in the UK and other European countries. As a result the cost of skilled IT labour in India is almost now the same as Europe.

If you happened to be the last guy in your community of 1000, a skilled builder and the only job left was a cleaner in a hotel would you be happy to take it.....I dont think so. So who will.....

Back to the original subject though it was interesting to note that the other main parties did not make any significant gain at Labours expense. This does show a protest vote (or more likely no vote) allowing minority parties like the BNP to benefit. If you seriously think that the BNP reps have your own interests at heart then just take a bit of time to read around the net and whats out there. www.hopenothate.org.uk

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

I hate the BNP and all it stands for.

It's simply appalling that they now have some sort of legitimacy to peddle their disgusting agenda.

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

Hardly the best source of information is it?

I don't support the BNP in any way shape or form, but I fail to see how anyone that's sound of mind can't find fault in HopeNotHate's arguments. Without bothering to look. It just slaps you in the face, like a rather large trout holding a "WTF?" sign!

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

:rolleyes:

Reading what they have to say it contains some pretty compelling stuff. I'm not a supporter but its simply an organisation that I had heard of and that was relevant to the discussion. I disagree with the protest against the BNP being allowed to stand as that is what a democracy is about but they do point out alot of factual information that is difficult to dispute.

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

With exactly zero independent verification of said 'facts.'

Sorry, but if you're going to scream & shout that someone is doing something bad, either expect people to take you as the same as those you accuse, or back up what you're saying.

To stay on topic...

Britain has 72 seats in the EU parliament, out of 736 total seats. Of the 69 seats declared (so not NI yet), 2 of those belong to the BNP.

Woopeedoo. They get 0.271% of the EU parliament.They've got friends in the EPP. Next election they'll be out on their ear, as non of the voters will remember why they voted for them.

One of the EPP's key priorities is about freedom & security (both physical and moral), so the BNP aren't going to sit too well with them. EPP being the largest EU party currently, they won't be that affected by a couple of 'rotten eggs.'

Much-a-do about nothing IMO.

PS. To backup my point about independent verification of facts, the above info was taken from: http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/shared/bsp/h...sh/html/eu.stm :)

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

Flymo i get your argument I really do, but I wasnt refering to the uk as a whole. I wasnt been genuine it was purely and example to try explain my point for why these two countys have resulted in right wing representation.
If I stick with your analagy then, I was in fact refering to a little island on its own, well 2 little islands surrounded by other islands I of course am refering to Yorkshrie and Lancashire, on these 2 'islands' my analagy stands.

But thats all it was, I wasnt arguing for UKIP, I wasnt saying the BNP even have a point with their policies I was simply explaining my reaction to the OP, which is to say I can understand why in these countys those parties won, it honeslty doesnt suprise me.

Re: Shame on anyone who didn't turn out to vote
 

That aimed at me Baph or the website?