Shakyuk

I'm starting to Terminator 2's judgement day may have been an improvement...

Shakyuk

I voted for Cameron and Osbourne as I felt their policy of cutting spending to get back to a budgetary surplus was definitely a good idea. I don't buy into this idea of spending for growth, the whole of the west has been using that idea for two decades and continued to go deeper into debt in the process. Now we're faced with May who wants to spend and Corbyn who wants to spend. If we have to spend then in my opinion I'd rather it be an idealist hippy choosing who gets the money than a grammar school rich establishment loving Conservative.


But I have to admit every interview I see with Diane Abbott makes me want to bang my head against a wall. I mean seriously, is she really the best Labour has for that position... for any position!? The woman is an expense abusing idiot.

dave_j

It would be a very serious mistake to underestimate this woman. I have followed her climb up the greasy pole for many years. I think her ambition is limited only by availability of opportunity and I expect there to be many of these in the near future.

not2old

I wonder if those conservative OAP's that may lose their 'winter fuel allowance' will now vote labour?

Labour says curbs on winter fuel payments 'sick and sneaky' - BBC News

source BBC "At the moment, households automatically receive a single payment, ranging from £100 to £300"

BristolUK

Is she going to cross the floor then?

Shard

Agreed, no one should underestimate Dianne's hypocrisy or incompetence.

withabix

The chances of those of us with a Postal Vote actually being able to vote in time are slim.

My 'home' constituency's city council are ALREADY suggesting that our ballot cards may not be delivered in time to return them by 8th June, even IF they do actually manage to put the correct postage on them as well as the airmail sticker, rather than just UK second class postage and an airmail sticker.

Ridiculous that we have a fairly high chance of being Disenfranchised because of lazy incompetent public employees....

BristolUK

I registered for the referendum vote and then got told the same thing, so I didn't see it through. But then everything was done in time after all.
With that discriminatory, prejudiced, stereotypical, thoughtless, generalisation I hope they don't get it to you in time. It would serve you right.

withabix

Maybe. But true.

Most of them wouldn't survive in the private sector, where ownership and responsibility is required to keep your job. Not just turning up and collecting your pay and excessively generous pension at the end.

Lazy: not making sure it happens

Incompetent: putting domestic postage on international mail

Hawkmoon77

Why don't you nominate a proxy in UK, who can vote postally if necessary on your behalf ? Seems simplest solution

withabix

Because I shouldn't have to!

They have a system - it should work. This is 2017, not 1917.

Maybe they need to adopt the BC system of Absentee Voting - polling stations at Embassies/HCs or no conclusion to the Election for 2+ weeks after polling day, to allow for absentee votes to de delivered.

Not serious on that - the BC system is ridiculous in terms of the 2 week thing, however the current UK system is clearly not fit for purpose.

Hawkmoon77

I agree it's ridiculous that overseas have so little time to post their own vote.

However, I do want to vote, which is why I use the method described. Far from perfect, but it will work.

And yes, BC is just plain daft to take so long.

dave_j

All voting systems are at the mercy of those in power at the time. If there are obstacles placed in the way of expat voting then this results from what the party in power will consider an avoidable risk. I suggest that the BE poll on this thread is an example that will provide interesting comparison to the real thing, after all, expats are less open to wall-to-wall propoganda. So these systems aren't daft or ridiculous.. they serve a purpose, just not one the rest of us approve of.

In a more representative world, Trump would not be president, but it served the democrats.. or so they thought.. not to question the electoral college system.

withabix

Got my postal vote today, which was a surprise!

It arrived with only Royal Mail 1st Class printed on the envelopes, but was delivered.

Return 'B' envelope has free international airmail, so no stamp required.

Looks like I won't get disenfranchised this year 🙂

dave_j

It hasn't arrived and been counted yet...