Historical voting.
 

Carrying on from the local election threads, is the way you vote influenced by how your family voted?

Re: Historical voting.
 

I vote the same way as my parents did because I feel there is only one party able to represent the 'common man'.

Re: Historical voting.
 

I voted "No I vote differently from my parents" although one or both of my parents might vote the same as me at any specific election, I don't base my decision on theirs.

But if we want to generalise one parent is generally Labour and the other Conservative, if they can be bothered to vote. *rolleyes*

Though Im incredibly confident that'll all change come the next general election.

Re: Historical voting.
 

my vote has and will change depending on who I believe is teh right person for teh job at that particular time. I find it hard to understand those who vote one way "just because".

Re: Historical voting.
 

Ark. Yeah I must state that point, im talking how i'd vote given the current situation. The future is uncertain and im not going to vote for a party just because it is a party, i'll vote for the one I thinks best, and we all know what I think that is right now! ;)

Re: Historical voting.
 

Whilst I understand what you are saying, I have to point out as you grow older ( I have now been a voter for 40 years) you will see the effect certain parties, being in power either locally or nationally, have on your life and the lives of people around you. I know that my political opinions have been moulded by those factors. There are some things you never forget, how certain sections of the community were regarded with disdain and consigned to the 'dustbin'. I was brought up to believe that 'I am my brother's keeper' and that has always influenced my political choices - I have the responsibilty to consider the needs of people less fortunate than myself.
I don't mean to infer that you are selfish or thoughtless, but just giving you some insight into how older people's attitudes to political parties have been arrived at.

Re: Historical voting.
 

Thanks Ian you saved me typing that in :D

Re: Historical voting.
 

Aint a clue how my parents vote as it should be. I vote with my head not with my heart or under the inflence of others. I am old enough to make up my mind and hopefully wise enough.

Re: Historical voting.
 

i did vote the same way as me parents did, not because of any influence they had on me, cos as claytonender says, its arrived at by whats happened around you over the years.

Re: Historical voting.
 

Re: Historical voting.
 

i have voted the same as my parents, but it wasnt because they did, it was because its what i wanted to do, its just coincidence thats all

Re: Historical voting.
 

Besides my maternal Granny, I come from a long line of socialists, and my upbringing does affect how I vote today.

I'm now an atheist, but I also think being brought up a Methodist affected my politics. To me the basic beliefs of Christianity are very akin to socialist principles, and that's why I'll probably always vote Labour.

(The only time I haven't voted Labour was in the London Mayoral elections, when I voted for Red Ken, rather than the offical Labour Party candidate Dobson.):D

Re: Historical voting.
 

Garinda
I was brought up a Methodist too and I ams ure that has affected my politics, you are quite right about the basic believes of Christinaity being akin to Socialist principles.

I am sure I would have voted for Red Ken in the London Mayoral Elections as well.

Re: Historical voting.
 

Fair enough religous upbringing could influence political thinking but religion and politics should be kept seperate. All it has ever lead to is trouble in the past.

Re: Historical voting.
 

I voted that I vote indepedant then my folks, though probably with the same mindset. However, I believe the key for me is that I, and my brothers and sister, all vote because my parents raised us to "believe" it was a very important right to take part in!

Brian

Re: Historical voting.
 

My mum and dad were brought up to be unionists aka tories over here. When they came over here thats how they voted. But in the late 80's early 90's mum changed her vote - and became a member of the labour party. Thing is though they didnt influence who i voted for because at the age of 14 i was already delivering leaflets for the labour party. My 16th birthday pressie was membership of the labour party for 5 years! My dad always said always vote cos otherwise its wasted and its up to you who you vote for not people who knock on your door, family or friends.

Re: Historical voting.
 

I wasn't brought up like that, but I am like that, thats why Id vote Conservative if there was an election tomorrow. :)

Re: Historical voting.
 

If Gordy Brown gets in your chance might be sooner than you think.

Re: Historical voting.
 

Me too..panther.....

Re: Historical voting.
 

As your only 18, you cant even imagine the heartbreak Maggie caused the working class,,If you were well off you thought she was the Bees Knees...It will be a cold day in Hell before i will fall for their bluff again..

Re: Historical voting.
 

Michael Foot not equal to Tony Blair
Margaret Thatcher not equal to David Cameron

If you listen to what the Conservatives are saying then you'd notice a huge difference to Thatcher.

The wives of miners, of the working class voted Conservative in HUGE numbers, that was one of the key reasons she got in to power. The wives wanted strikes to stop, blackouts to stop, they wanted their husbands to be in work bringing in a living. So its not just the wealthy that she was the Bees Knees for.

Oh and I wouldn't say she caused "The Working Class" heartbreak, yes it was incredibly bad for all the miners, but she tried to change the country so that people who wanted to work, who wanted to suceeed could do so without being members of the aristocracy. She attempted to create a meritocracy and it worked. Which is the complete opposite of what people are saying, the Conservative party is not just for rich people. Just look at what we have today, if it was not for her and Major, Labour would never have had such a sucessful economy.

I won't say everything Thatcher did was great, of course not. There were some awful consequences, but one way or another things like strikes and recession had to be tackled. What annoys me is when people won't vote for the party because she was the leader 20-30 years ago, and because people don't see past the unemployment and look at the big picture, and look where we are now thanks to her.

Re: Historical voting.
 

YES US POOR DELUDED HOUSEWIVES THOUGHT A WOMAN PRIME MINNISTER WOULD CHANGE THE WORLD..... HEY WHAT A LAUGH... HINDSIGHT IS A WONDERFUL THING.

Re: Historical voting.
 

that was then granny,seems to me cyfr is DELUDED now.;)

Re: Historical voting.
 

I vote for the person I think will do the best job......not easy really because some of the folk who put themselves up for election wouldn't find their bum if they used both hands!

Re: Historical voting.
 

Yet another profound statement by our Margaret LOL

I still cannot understand what local elections have to do with National politics, except different ways of spending our money I suppose.. :confused:

I change my vote according to the person who is standing .. even though don't always know them personally, some you do.

Certain member of my family would vote for a Labour candidate if it had been proved they had a shady past and, I suspect, Cyfr would vote for the Conservative candidate no matter what sort of credentials they had.

Re: Historical voting.
 

I know we all have some sort of past, but I would find it difficult to vote for someone if it was proved they were dishonest.
I don't think the powers that be,....the ones who are responsible for making sure candidates are up to the task, should put us (the electorate) in that kind of position. They KNOW that some people would vote for a Jackass if it was running under a particular banner. Me......I'm one of those floating voters.

Re: Historical voting.
 

. They KNOW that some people would vote for a Jackass if it was running under a particular banner. --------------------- obviously your refering to David Cameron, margaret.:signntme: :rofl38: :rofl38: :rofl38: :rofl38: :rofl38:

Re: Historical voting.
 

Cashie.....I am naming no names :)

Re: Historical voting.
 

Looks Like there is no family trait for one party going back many many many many moons. So in a way we are politically independent when it comes to the vote.

Re: Historical voting.
 

[quote=Cyfr;420383

Oh and I wouldn't say she caused "The Working Class" heartbreak, yes it was incredibly bad for all the miners, but she tried to change the country so that people who wanted to work, who wanted to suceeed could do so without being members of the aristocracy. She attempted to create a meritocracy and it worked. Which is the complete opposite of what people are saying, the Conservative party is not just for rich people. Just look at what we have today, if it was not for her and Major, Labour would never have had such a sucessful economy.

I won't say everything Thatcher did was great, of course not. There were some awful consequences, but one way or another things like strikes and recession had to be tackled. What annoys me is when people won't vote for the party because she was the leader 20-30 years ago, and because people don't see past the unemployment and look at the big picture, and look where we are now thanks to her.[/quote]

You have no idea what it was like for ordinary hard working people under Thatcher. Just try to envisage what is is like to be made redundant (it happened to me twice during the Thatcher/Major years). People still had families to feed, bills to pay and mortages to pay - all extremely difficult without an income. It is impossible to even begin to explain what it does to your self esteem. I hope that it is something that you never have to experience, because if you do your views might change dramatically. It is no consolation that you losing your job makes the company more - especailly if it is months before you can secure another job.

Re: Historical voting.
 

Growing up as a gay teenager under Thatcher wasn't much fun either. Homophobic legislation being introduced like Clause 28, and being classed as a criminal, unlike my classmates, in the eyes of the law. All that as well as turning us from an industrial nation into a service/call centre nation, soon to be undercut by places like India.