What's really important is that we change the voting system.

We need Proportional Represenation. First Past The Post discourages people from casting their votes, especially in safe seats. I'm in one and I'm seriously considering not voting this time.

On the other hand, a free pint might encourage me to get to the polling station and spoil my ballot paper :smile:

FYI "To anybody with a postal vote - if you have email confirmation of signing up to vote by post then this will count, so just show the email to the bar on Thursday or Friday to receive your Punk!"

Can is better than nothing i suppose.

Anyone who didn't make it to a BrewDog pub last night, but took a picture, you can still claim a drink today too.

UPDATE - SCOTLAND

This is NOT a free pint in Scotland due to licensing (scotland) act. You'll get a free can of punk IPA to drink off the premises while stocks last.

I'm there now.

I think you should still vote. If the 2nd place candidate started to get more votes, then other people, thinking as you are, might vote.
I suspect that in many safe seats, if everyone who is eligible to vote voted for the 2nd favourite candidate, they might win.
I too, would prefer some sort of PR, but I'm unsure which type would be best.

First they say they will give you a pint of beer, then further down the page they say they are actually giving you a can of beer! :disappointed:

To those saying it's rigged, that's impossible. Undemocratic certainly as it's first past the post and not proportional representation.
You can sit and whinge or you can vote to help change it. If we keep seeing a party with fewer votes winning, especially without a hung parliament then people will finally accept something has to change. To moan, not vote and let May get in with a majority again is just insane.

Hi Mike,

It's possible that you don't understand how proportional representation works. First past the post really is the problem, because it means that a lot of voters simply can't make a difference to their outcomes based on their post code.

I'd you don't think that disincentivises voting,I don't know what to tell you.

In Scotland there is a fptp system for the local representation that you're keen on, but everyone gets two votes.

One for that local candidate, the other for a party, meaning that it's always worth going to the polls, because you're always making a difference to the outcome for the country, even if locally you don't get on with whomever is elected.

The Scottish Parliament has proportional representation, and I have a lot more confidence in my vote.

And even though I wouldn't vote conservative, it does provide that party with a voice in Scotland... It would be easy to forget how many voters go that way north of the border without PR.

Not to mention the green party actually getting a seat at the table.

Goku for PM

Don't forget to check https://www.tactical2017.com

Punks not dead!!!!!!!!!!

Section 113 of the Representation of the People Act 1983 would appear to make this idea a criminal offence. I notice that Banksy has also had to withdraw his offer of a free print for voting against the Tories in one or more of the Bristol constituencies.

I disagree, out current system allows for proportional representation at a local level, rather than national, my local MP is chosen by the majority of my neighbours, which is fine, because he represents us. If you introduce proportional representation, then large population areas will have significant impact on areas that are entirely unconnected and have entirely different problems, that may not be dealt with by the MP forced upon them.

It's not the proportional representation that's the problem, it's the inability of prospective candidates to get their voters off their backsides and down to the polling station, that's the real problem, and this has got to be down to most politicians seemingly in it for their own careers, no matter what colour their politics.

Normally I vote on local policies, though with the choice between Lib Dems and their undemocratic attitude to the EU vote, or Tory, it's very much a rock and hard place. Not that any of the other parties, even if they could muster a decent fight, offers anything better than career politicians.

mike

Impressed there's no political debate on this (so far!), but I think this is brilliant. I think it's really important we vote more - especially the young folk, who can find it a bit pointless - I say this as I used to be one of them. :smiley:

"It is a criminal offence under the Representation of the People Act 1983 for any voter to accept or agree to accept a gift or similar in return for voting or refraining from voting.

"Any person participating in an offer to receive a gift is at risk of being prosecuted."

Mmhm, I'm sure there's more than a handful of people in your area who feel the same way as you. You're not as unique as you think you are. I think you might as well go and vote. It's not gonna cost you anything.

You're assuming there'll be enough people in your constituency that share your opinion, otherwise the message falls on stony ground when it only cuts a massive majority by a handful. I know what my local constituency is like, unfortunately, even though the sitting MP is utterly useless.

Once again a very strong case for PR - where every vote counts.

Is it the first?

It's not about flipping the seat, but sending a message.

1 person - 1 vote

I support and follow https://www.makevotesmatter.org.uk/

How else do you suggest I take responsibility to effect change?

What have you done?

You say "safe seats" cause apathy and disown all responsibility for your situation.

I say apathy creates "safe seats" and suggest you take responsibility to effect the change you want.

One of those mindsets will lead to a healthier democracy. Do we agree on which?

Give it time....
Am waiting for the " it's your civic duty " or the " it's the only chance we have " BS

Great idea for whoever want to get a free pint...
As for me, I've never voted.. never will.
Why you ask?
I don't play there corrupt rigged game.

I completely agree, it's the best way to make your vote count regardless of where you live.

If it wasn't for postal vote then I might have been out of this one, I doubt I would have wasted time queuing on Thursday given that I dislike all the options we are being offered, there is no clear cut obvious way to vote.

In the end I went with my gut an made a choice, and it was for a local MP and definitely not a vote for any of the clowns standing for PM.

I'm also very unhappy with the way democratic campaigns operate these days, having not caught up with modern media I've seen lie after lie being spread round and I've had clueless moron after clueless moron attempting to browbeat me to agree with their pub-talk politics.

It's all a bit disheartening. Especially so soon after the last debacle.

I'd like to see some of these liars tried as criminals.

Since when can't they vote for themselves? Absolute nonsense. As long as they are registered to vote and live in that constituency then of course they can. If one wanted to be ultra pedantic, they are not an MP anyway as the Queen dissolves Parliament just before a General Election.

What about that? A free pint just to get lazy gits off their **** and vote for their preferred regional MP, the person you deem best fit to represent your constituency. They can't vote for themselves you know? As I've said many times, you vote for whom will represent your constituency best, not blanket vote out of spite. Blanket voting only results in more moaning and career politicians primarily motivated by a large monthly paycheque and a big hand in the expenses pot

I completely agree. We need to make sure every vote counts, and therefore we need an element of proportional representation. (The failed attempt to introduce AV, better known as STV, did not address this at all.) And please spoil your ballot if you like none of the choice - at least they know that there are voters out there who care.

I agree, which is why it's so annoying that we're currently stuck with this antiquainted and undemocratic system.

So what's the solution? PR, compulsory voting (as in Australia) or....free drinks ?!

Still think it's important to turn out even if it's just to spoil your ballot in a safe seat. I've had a council election in the past where I put 'none', 'of' and 'these' in each of the three boxes in turn.

Don't seem to be seeing too much stuff encouraging older people to vote & help to get elderly people to the polling stations. I wonder why?

FYI "To anybody with a postal vote - if you have email confirmation of signing up to vote by post then this will count, so just show the email to the bar on Thursday or Friday to receive your Punk!"

Heat ..... Cheers :smile:

aww, theres no brewdog bars around my area :disappointed: but its an awesome idea strong