Metropol

Phil is the definition of the modern voter it seems!

Can't say I am surprised with my results...

Having read the policies of various parties, I found it too easy to see what party's policies you were agreeing or disagreeing with, so I didn't finish the process. I remember using a similar tool around the time of the last election that I seem to remember was better than this one.

I don't like the way it only shows a couple of policies it deems to be important ones for each party (without clicking for a longer list). There's a potential there to skew the results, I feel.

The problem with this method is that, whilst I'm not adverse to some of the policies of the Labour Party, I am completely adverse to the party itself. I don't want Miliband, Balls and Harman in particular being back in power.

all new Phil wrote:The problem with this method is that, whilst I'm not adverse to some of the policies of the Labour Party, I am completely adverse to the party itself. I don't want Miliband, Balls and Harman in particular being back in power.

Similar to me. My local Labour candidate is "old-school" socialist, yet I won't vote for the Westminster party while they're in charge.

I am concious of the fact I am voting for my local MP, and not for a particular PM. I want Emily (white van) Thornberry back as our MP, and will never vote LibDem again. In 2010 I voted LibDem because I did not want Gordon Brown as PM, and that lead to the Tories getting in!

I don't personally mind Ed Milliband (I am a bit geeky and odd, so I don't hold it against him) but it's possible he won't win his seat, and so someone else will need to be chosen for PM. And it does depend on the final seat counts and whatever arrangements are made. Not all policies will be implemented, and the cabinet may not entirely be made up of people from one single party. So I will go by my local representative!

It does bug me when people go on about the personalities. For what it's worth, I think Osbourne is the most self-satisfied shit in politics by far but I wouldn't mind voting for him if he had any intention of making rich people pay their way. I made the mistake of aligning my views with a person rather than a party last time.

I actually don't particularly like Natalie Bennett as a person, nor Caroline Lucas, but Green have my vote this time - simply because their policies (especially the non-flagship/environment stuff) are closest to my own views.

Like Martin, I've no problem with Ed Milliband, and I'd go as far as to say I hope he's the next PM. But we don't vote for a PM, nor a Deputy, nor a Chancellor.

Sorry but I completely disagree. I vote for the party and the people running it, as that is what affects me the most. I have barely any interest in our local candidates. My vote pretty much goes for who I want to lead the country, and I reckon the vast majority of people do the same. I don't think that's the wrong approach to take.

Sorry, but I completely disagree with you, and (my god) I find myself agreeing with WillPS. Localism is alive and well, and examples of constituents voting for personalities over parties are widespread:

1) The two recent defection UKIP by-election wins came as a result of both candidates being incumbent in the seats anyway and also being on the extreme right of the Tory party. Clearly the vote was for the person, not the party.

2) Peter Law in Blaenau Gwent split from the Labour Party. You could probably pin a red rosette on a donkey and it would win in Aneurin Bevan's home constituency. The late Mr Law proved otherwise, as did his widow and successor, Trish.

3) George Galloway in Bradford West (and before that, Bethnal Green) - again, one would think a nailed-on Labour seat lost to a charismatic individual. Put any other member of Respect up for that seat and Labour get it. Galloway - for all his faults - clearly has a resonance with the community in Bradford and knows how to play politics to his advantage.

Alas alot of people still vote for a person not a party and that is how the UK works. To be fair to George Galloway he is a labour man and could win any seat where the labour MP is more right wing.

When it comes ot the English Greens the leader is truly dreadful, and I can't see how she will a seat.

It's even worse in Wales. Whereas before, Plaid and the Greens have co-operated and shared platforms / candidates, this time round there's a lot of squabbling.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-wales-politics-31480549

Basically it stems from Plaid telling voters in England* to vote Green, and the Greens then telling Plaid voters in constituencies where Plaid doesn't have a chance to vote Green.

*Does not include Cornwall apparently. I checked personally.

So the Tories have unveiled their latest election poster ...

I'm sure there will be a number of spin-off's of this