Who are these people that switch their votes between parties?

[johnnydawg68]

So the Tories had a huge majority for the entirety of the 80's and early 90's. Then Labour had a huge majority. Now the Tories are back in, albeit with the help of the Libs.

So obviously enough people are switching their votes. My question is who are these people?

 

[ijjysmith]

I only really vote in polls where a variety of cheese on toast is an option.

 

[Allezfan]

So the Tories had a huge majority for the entirety of the 80's and early 90's. Then Labour had a huge majority. Now the Tories are back in, albeit with the help of the Libs.

So obviously enough people are switching their votes. My question is who are these people?

Not everyone who can vote now could vote then, like.

 

[rascal]

I don't bother voting at all, I dislike politicians enormously.

 

[tommye]

I don't bother voting at all, I dislike politicians enormously.

are you Russell Brand??

 

[Brownie]

People that don't really know what's going on or are disillusioned with politics in general so just go with what they feel at the time.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Not everyone who can vote now could vote then, like.

Changing demographics does explain a bit but not all. You'd basically have to be saying that most young people voted left after they came of age in the 90's, but now young people are conservative.

If true that would only explain part of it. Also, is that true?

 

[johnnydawg68]

People that don't really know what's going on or are disillusioned with politics in general so just go with what they feel at the time.

So a lot of low information voters?

 

[Moomin]

I don't bother voting at all, I dislike politicians enormously.

People died for us to vote, the least you should do is deface the voting card with a cock and balls.

 

[Brownie]

So a lot of low information voters?

Lots and lots and lots I reckon.

 

[Moomin]

Changing demographics does explain a bit but not all. You'd basically have to be saying that most young people voted left after they came of age in the 90's, but now young people are conservative.

If true that would only explain part of it. Also, is that true?

The main reason is the media, and whoever News International has backed has gone on to win.

 

[roydo]

So the Tories had a huge majority for the entirety of the 80's and early 90's. Then Labour had a huge majority. Now the Tories are back in, albeit with the help of the Libs.

So obviously enough people are switching their votes. My question is who are these people?

Doesnt take many to switch to make a change to the result over here. Something like 80% of seats are safe, insofar that Labour would never win in some, and the Tories would never win in others.

Occasionally there will be big swings, such as Thatcher in the 80s, and Blair, but this is usually cos the other party have right royally dropped a bollock of immense size.

 

[johnnydawg68]

Lots and lots and lots I reckon.

Scary thought innit? I mean whatever political philosophy you hold, the future of your country depends on the people who don't really pay that much attention.

It's the same over here.

 

[Allezfan]

Scary thought innit? I mean whatever political philosophy you hold, the future of your country depends on the people who don't really pay that much attention.

It's the same over here.

The thing is so many political issues are basically 50-50.

If you were to gather the 1,000 most intelligent, well researched informed people in the world and asked them their opinion, there's only really two options. Either they don't know the right answer either and we're all just guessing or they'd all agree in which case the political system would work fine if only all us ignorant idiots didn't insist on voting, too.

 

[roydo]

Scary thought innit? I mean whatever political philosophy you hold, the future of your country depends on the people who don't really pay that much attention.

It's the same over here.

Its weird mate. I am not a supporter, in general, of Labour, but when Blair was elected, I was genuinely convinced he would deliver. All we got was years of Labour party internal crap, capped off by Iraq. What I always thought about them in the past was proved at that point, and the depressing thing is, the (realistic) alternative are cut from the same cloth in so many ways.

Its probably similar with Obama and the likely alternative in a few years time.