[Eric]

Originally Posted by Margaret Pilkington

Eric, in the last general election I didn't vote..or perhaps to be more precise I spoiled my paper. I did this because, in all conscience, there wasn't anyone I felt reflected my core values.
I wasn't too idle to go to the polling station...I had appraised myself of the various candidates who were up for election.......and found them all wanting.
I have many political discussions with my daughter - who tried her very best to get me to vote for someone rather than spoil my paper.
I felt that my vote would count for nothing, it would make no difference.

I have no political affiliation and support no party. At each election I try to weigh the candidates against my own values. I cannot see me putting a cross against any of them any time soon. But I might write 'none of the above'.
We need some major changes to shake the parties out of their complacency.
They need to start listening to the electorate, they need to start telling us(the electorate) the truth(rather than what they think we want to hear), they need to start living in the real world.

Indeed ... and this is a group I didn't mention ... it adds weight to the argument that there is more than apathy at the root of the low voter turnout.