Apathetic? No. Angry? You bet.
At the last UK General Election, over 17 million people didn't vote. Like you, those people realised that it doesn't really matter which party you vote for—most politicians would suck the sweat off a dead man's balls if they thought that there was something in it for them.
But let's be clear about one thing, it's not apathy that's keeping people away from the polling booths, it's anger. Anger and disgust at our self-styled political masters in Westminster.
However, our politicians need our votes. Without them, they lose legitimacy in the eyes of the public. They know this, so what are they doing about it? Maybe they're planning on putting up candidates who are a change from the usual mouth-breathing party apparatchiks? No. Instead of offering us better choices, they're planning on forcing us all to vote, on pain of criminal penalty, just to give themselves the legitimacy they crave, that thin veneer of respectability.
None of the Above?
For years, democracy campaigners in this country have urged politicians to include an option of 'none of the above' on ballot papers. These calls have been consistently ignored, and the Westminster politicians have gone further, and even legislated against those words appearing on our ballots. They figure that so long as the only option is to vote for one of their parties, they'll be able to claim that there is nothing wrong with the system.
Not voting can be spun by our politicians as public apathy. Protest voting simply sends the wrong message—your intent is never recorded, just your vote. Is there no democratic way out of this situation? Is there no way for you to send a clear signal to our political parties what you really think of them, and their woeful candidates?
Make Your Vote Count - Make Your Vote Talk
Here's the thing. Ballot paper that are incorrectly filled out are counted and recorded. What's more, the political candidates and journalists attending ballot counts often get to see these 'spoilt' ballot papers.
We can use spoilt ballots to send our politicians a message—one that they won't be able to ignore, and one they won't be able to simply write off as voter apathy.
At the next election in your area, spoil your ballot paper. Turning up at the polling station shows that you're not apathetic. Take the opportunity offered by voting to write a brief message to our politicians on your ballot paper. Voting in this country is still anonymous, so you can let them know exactly what you think of them.
The only way to vote for 'none of the above', and have your vote counted, is that suggested here. Let's not allow these venal scum their so-called legitimacy any longer.
Spoil your ballot: make your vote count—make your vote talk!
Please pass along this website to your friends, family and colleagues. As long as we do nothing, nothing will change. For years, politicians have treated us with contempt. It's time for us to return the favour.
You can contact us via email: contact @ makeyourvotetalk.com