How am I voting ? I live in a pink pussycat tory constituency, ie the tories could put up a stuffed toy and still win, so my vote is meaningless. Under first past the post one does not have the luxury of voting for what you want, that leads to wasted votes when winner takes all. You have to vote to prevent what you hate from winning. While I hate NuLab, I fear the tories more and will vote accordingly.
I do not get how you think here.
If a conservative victory in your district is a given, there is no need to hold your nose and vote NuLab there. On the contrary it is a good opportunity to vote green/libdem/unreformed communist/pacifist/pirate/whoever to show that your vote is not a given for NuLab, while it is there to be gained against the conservatives for a party with sane policies.
On the other hand, if it is tight contest where you live then I do understand holding your nose and voting NuLab as the lesser of two evils. A vote for PES is a vote for EPP! A vote for EPP is a vote for PES! Support the coalition, vote EPP-PES in 2009!
As there is no chance of anything other than a tory victory I will vote my consicence (Green probably). But if I were in a more contested constituency I would vote to do my best to make the tory lose, even if that were NuLab.
I just wish there was a different voting system to more honestly express my preference keep to the Fen Causeway
After 1997 I don't necessarily agree that most seats are safe. But there's a solid minority that are unlikely to change without significant redistricting, and this is certainly one of them.
The tragedy here is that Labour and Lib/Dem votes are evenly split. Together they could bring down the incumbent. But that would mean strategising and self-sacrifice, and both parties would rather lose than waste their time on that.
Since it doesn't make a difference, I usually vote Green (sic).
