Voters' views: Michael Marley

MEET THE PANEL Name: Michael Marley Age: 26 Lives: Perth Works: Hotel duty manager Current voting intention: Liberal Democrat

As Britain edges at pace towards the next general election, it is very important to maintain the push against voter apathy especially within the 18-24 voters, and more also within the 24-34 age bracket.

Other alternative ways to vote must be considered.

One important issue to myself as a Liberal Democrat voter, and a former journalism student, is now a more representative voting system than we have at the moment.

The first past the post is outdated, I feel that if people believe votes actually count they might be more inclined to vote.

I believe strongly in a system where first time buyers, (I still rent) are supported onto the ladder without getting themselves into a serious debt situation, and are not left paying rent on a permanent basis, unless this is our choice.

VOTERS' PANEL INTRODUCTIONS Jim Monaghan Michael Marley David Hamilton Stephen Edenborough Jennifer Mackay Bob Crozier Michelle Hunt Duncan King Olivia Drennan Keith Brockie George Whillans

The future of education, of our next generation, must continue on a level where everyone is treated on a fair scale and do not have to undergo continual tests, until sitting Standard Grades/Higher Grades.

I would be inclined to abolish tests for 5-11 year olds.

The future of Great Britain is now at a crossroads, after the next election, I feel we will see the break up of the nation, as devolution continues apace within Scotland.

And I believe we will see Wales moving towards the same stage in political structure as Scotland.

The reason behind me voting for the Liberal Democrats, is I believe they can offer Labour an official and hard hitting opposition which the Conservatives cannot.

Return to the top

Send us your comments on Michael's views using the form on the right.

---

Based on Jim Wallace's performance as enterprise minister about the only thing the Lib Dems would bring us is lower economic growth made worse by their determination to kill off the DTI and to never consider nuclear power.
Dick, Aberdeen

I don't understand why you think the UK is on the brink of dissolution. In the past years since devolution I have only seen British sentiment get stronger. The US and Australia have devolved legislatures in their constituent parts and they are not in danger of dissolving, they are stronger for it. I am curious as to if you wish to aid this or prevent this and thus feel that the Lib Dems would be better at managing devolution compared with Labour.
Walter, Edinburgh, Scotland, UK

I do agree that the first past the post system is long overdue for change. However, I don't see how the Liberals will improve things. It'll be political suicide to give direct tax raising powers to local councils who are paragons of waste and inefficiency. I agree education is key, but disagree with making everyone the same with no streaming until final exams. I also disagree about not taking nuclear energy as less carbon polluting alternative to electricity generation. Renewables are still in their infancy. These are some of the reasons I won't be voting Liberal. The sad thing for me is that no party fully represents my views.
Neil, Menstrie, Scotland

I agree with Michael about the voting system - we need a fair voting system for Westminster like we do for Holyrood. But that's the only reason I'll be voting Lib Dem, they've showed they're not interested in protecting our environment by backing the M74 and opposing congestion charging in Edinburgh. If we had a fair voting system, I'd vote Green - the only party taking the threat of climate change seriously.
Ian Sly, Edinburgh

Don't vote Lib Dem if you want a fair voting system! They were so weak on the issue that they have "delivered" us the least proportional system possible for the next council elections. They could have voted for a much fairer system in a proposal before Holyrood prior to the last election, but the Lib Dems voted against - as they always do when it actually comes to sticking to a policy. Just like on GM, the M74, congestion charging, ID cards - it is always the same, say one thing, do exactly the opposite.
Andy T, Edinburgh, Scotland

I couldn't agree more with you about PR. However, as others have pointed out, the Lib Dems are not as strong here as they often make out - one Lib Dem MSP was famously heard shouting across the floor of Holyrood "we only said we are in favour of STV, not PR" in other words, he supported a system where you list candidates in order of preference, so that if the first candidate had no chance of winning, then the second vote would be counted, and so on, but they are in favour of single member wards. Such a system would benefit the Lib Dems, while still squeezing out smaller parties, even if they got, say 10% of first votes nationally. While they do say they support PR, many of their members only believe in it so far as it will get them into power. For you, a vote for Perthshire Green Candidate, George Baxter, would send a much stronger PR signal to Westminster than a LD vote, and would also punish LD's for their total hypocracy on some of the subjects you discuss, like education, and debt, as well as being a vote for the only party that understands that GDP is not the best measure of economic achievement.
Adam , Perthshire

I can agree with the idea of no standardised testing for very young children. And as here in the states we have a "representative democracy", we do not directly elect our president or vice-president, so I can understand the idea of voter apathy where people have a feeling of "getting nowhere" through elected officials. But having your nation split. Say, it ain't so! After all we went through revolting against England, Great Britain had better not "devolve". Really, though, how do you think you'll be able to "relate with other nations, when they will be immensely more powerful than your country is now? Great Britain is a nuclear power; it will not be permitted to so "devolve" by those in control now. Best not to think in those terms, my friends. It ain't happening.
charles dinegar, north bellmore(long isl), new york

To Michael. Before you vote Lib Dem please consider why so many Lib Dem supporters and activists are leaving the party and joining the smaller more trustworthy parties? So many promises broken and not kept as demonstrated by the performance of the junior coalition partners in Holyrood. Only today a founding member of the Liberal Democrat Party was announced as a candidate for the Green Party. Ask yourself why?
Allan Wilson, Edinburgh

I hope Michael will look at what the Lib Dems have done in Scotland. It doesn't chime with their "honest" image. They haven't abolished tuition fees in Scotland. Students will have to pay for them after graduation. They voted to keep the council tax in a vote in Scottish Parliament not scrap it like they say. That's dishonest. There is rising unemployment, rising youth crime, rising waiting lists. That's with yet another London party in power. The Lib Dems running things with Labour.
J McKay, Glasgow, Scotland

Eighteen weeks to wait for an operation in England. Thirty-six weeks in Scotland under a Labour Government supported by the LibDems. Can Michael explain why Scotland should always have second rate regional unionists governing us and failing?
J McKay, Glasgow, Scotland