Alexander Said:

Election question uk?

We Answered:

Technically speaking, parties are completely ignored in a British general election. The UK is divided into 650 constituencies, and in each one, the ballot paper contains the names of the candidates for MP in that constituency. Each candidate is allowed six words to describe themselves - of course the ones that are members of a party (anyone over 21 can stand for election under any label they like, whether they belong to a party or not) use that allowance to give their party name. But the theory is that it is the person you are voting for and their name is in biggest print. The only people that see a party leader's name on the ballot paper are voters in the party leader's own constituency (the leaders are local MPs too and have their own election to win).

326 is one more than half of 650. If a party gets 326 or more MPs, then it can always outvote the rest when the House of Commons, that the MPs are members of, debates and votes on anything. That's why it's given as the winning figure.

Johnnie Said:

URGENT-Have you heard the news about BALLOT PAPERS?

We Answered:

Thank you for that. I'll e-mail my contacts to let them know.

Aaron Said:

UK; Is putting people off voting, treason?

We Answered:

Of course it isn't. I won't be voting either. With the state UK politics is in at the minute, I won't be wasting my time even getting a voting slip sent to my house.

Heather Said:

Should ballot papers have an Abstain option?

We Answered:

Yes!!

It gives a clear message that the people are not happy with the current options.
By just "not turning up", it just gives the message that you don't care who gets in.

Bernice Said:

Should voting be compulsory in the UK (like it is in Australia)?

We Answered:

It certainly should be illegal to accept 'non-voters' for any reason. We are even given the choice to vote in many ways now and still the %of votes is low compared to the popullation. More annoying is that on a daily basis we get people complaining about different things in society and ask them if they voted, the reply is all to often "no they are all the same - its a waste of time etc., etc., So yes, if we were to bring a penalty in of even just five pounds (which should be given back to the community) I am sure that the % of voters would then increase - hence we could all have a say of what is happening with a so called "true voice".

Veronica Said:

If there was a general election could you vote or do you find it hard to vote for any politician?

We Answered:

I am pretty certain who I will vote for, same party as ever, but its a good idea and I might consider it, if I start to get disenchanted!!