Comments on: Is the expenses scandal driving turnout down?

By: laz henson

laz henson — Fri, 22 May 2009 20:25:58 +0000

Paul H-J
Thanks for your opinion – just a little under my guestimate!
In my area 22% have postal votes and I realise some have moved etc but many will use them. I wonder if the figures holds up in all parts of the country?
Certainly there is a feeling of ”why should I vote” and of course the postal votes go out now, this the feeling gets voted on now (or not) and not on 4th June!
Any other guesses please?

By: Promsan

Promsan — Fri, 22 May 2009 19:50:18 +0000

…anyway it’s not the expenses scandal that’s driving turnout down, that’s just the surface of the ocean of resentment…. the straw that’s broken the camel’s back etc…

By: Promsan

Promsan — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:13:53 +0000

“Richard B

This same poll says that 54% of people want a general election now, yet only 45% say they would definitely vote in it. Strange. Very strange.”

Not really – many people feel overworked and underpaid and would be happy for someone else to do their voting for them!

By: Colin

Colin — Fri, 22 May 2009 18:10:49 +0000

“if you pay peanuts then you will get monkeys”

We certainly have some of the latter at Westminster.

Are they being paid “peanuts”?-when you compare the salary with those in a profession say who have had to gain a qualification by years of study?

Some may have professional qualifications of course, together with the associated expertise one hopes…..but it is not a requirement in order to be an MP.

You can just be a monkey-all you have to do is get elected.

I heard Nadine Dorries on radio this morning describing MPs as “professionals”. I think they get themselves way out of focus sometimes-that’s why they started troughing.

By: Paul H-J

Paul H-J — Fri, 22 May 2009 17:59:48 +0000

Laz,

Too high, nearer 25% – probably 27-28% on average.

Remember that the turnout in 2004 was inflated by all-postal voting in several regions. That is not happening this time, and with no local elections in Scotland, Wales, London, North East and large chunks of metropolitan England (affects NW, Y&H and WM most) we could see some areas drop as low as 20% turnout with 30% at the top end of the scale.