Personally, I don't see much value in turning up yet not voting for anyone.
None of the above is still a vote - it shows dissatisfaction with the parties on offer, the current system and allows a protest vote that doesn't involve voting for a party with more extreme views. I don't think any of the main parties are offering anything for me as a voter. However I agree that a vote is a privilege and as such would not allow myself to not take part - though at the moment I am only really voting for the lesser of 5 evils as opposed to voting for someone whose policies I believe in and who I feel could make a real difference to the country.
Currently MP's don't really represent the people voting for them they work for a central party with whips keeping them in line. Look at the recent digital economy bill where MP's admitted to voting yes to a bill they disagreed with. The whole thing is a bit of a con. I don't believe my MP actually cares about his constituency - after losing his seat elsewhere in the in the 97 election he moved to my area because it was a safe seat and was re elected at the next election. He came to my area to get his job back as an MP not to represent the area I live in. The fact that where I live is a safe seat means that my vote has no real weight in the outcome of the election - in fact most peoples votes won't, it will only be people living in certain areas - the same at most elections that will decide the outcome.
All three of the main parties are very similar - the only difference is who funds them, the unions, big business etc Very little difference in their promises and from what I can tell a large percentage of them have had their hands in the till for years. MPs living in London claiming for second homes so they could be close to the House of Commons (catch the tube like everyone else you lazy gits), MP's buying and selling property, swapping 2nd home status, having them done up then selling them and making thousands in the process at public expense, moat cleaning, duck houses - I could go on. Most of them are living on a gravy train and living a life most people can only dream of. Even when they were caught they never really put their hands up and admitted it - they blamed a flawed system basically their excuse was I knew it was wrong but did it because I thought I could get away with it - Don't blame me, blame the system.
Also our current PM wasn't even elected to run the country - he got his job through a deal made with the last PM. The two cushiest jobs in the country at the moment seem to be either an MP or an investment banker.
There are some good MP's who seem to stick to their beliefs and work for the good of their area - the first that springs to mind is Diane Abbott but something seems to happen to most of them when they get elected - I'm sure most start out wanting to represent the public and do some good but they seem to forget why they got into politics in the first place and who they are actually working for.
Now tell me to pick a party whose values represent mine.I still deserve to get a chance to have my voice heard and currently I'm shouting "None of the above" - but the only way my voice will be heard is if there is a little box to tick that says the same.
If you stood, what would your manifesto say
I asked a similar question in another post here
Sorry rant over