Voters' views: David Hamilton

MEET THE PANEL Name: David Hamilton Age: 25 Lives: Glasgow Works: Post graduate Current voting intention: Undecided

Before I was eligible to vote, I always knew I would be a Labour voter.

Ironically, since I have been able to vote, the Labour Party has all but disappeared.

I do not know who to vote for in the forthcoming general election.

Of the three main parties, none represent my views particularly well.

One of my main concerns is the integrity of the parties and their politicians.

Tony Blair lied to the country over the war in Iraq; I have never trusted the Conservatives and when I voted for the Liberal Democrats in the Scottish parliamentary elections, they promptly betrayed an election promise for a seat on the executive.

The policy areas I feel will influence my decision most are education and the measures brought in to combat terrorism.

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

My political leanings are split with regard to just about everything.

I am for ID cards but against imprisonment without trial.

I believe education should be free but that sending half the population to university is a waste of money and can only drag the quality of our education system down.

Even if I could trust any of the parties, which party will represent my views best?

Return to the top

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

---

I used to go to school with David, and I'd urge him to vote SNP. We can then make these decisions which suit us best in a fair, free independent Scottish nation state.
Trevor Owen, Edinburgh

I feel for you, not least as I am at the same age and in the same position. Being at a stage where i'm working and considering buying a home, though, means that my main issues are the economy. And for that, I really can't fault Labour too much. But there are views in the three main parties that do appeal. I suspect I will opt for the status quo, though, as I do not think the Iraq war justifies a change in government.
Undecided, Glasgow, UK

There are four main parties. I'll bet the second-placed party in his constituency is not one of the three UK parties.
Marco, St Andrews, Scotland

SNP - the other parties are only interested in pleasing their Westminster masters who really have no interest in Scottish affairs
Jeff Duncan, Dundee - Scotland

I would consider one of the smaller parties. The only way to make a change to the current system is by supporting new ideas. Obviously, a small party can't win this election but solid support through elections can transform a small party into a big one in time. I think either the Greens or SSP would be best with preference for the latter as their policies on education and free school meals are more radical and achievable.
Robert MacKenzie, Troon, Scotland

Regarding the views you believe in, I would pass the following comments. Giving as many members of society a chance of a good education has got to be a good thing. Even if the jobs aren't there in Scotland there are always opportunities to work in the south of England or abroad, if you are well educated. In my opinion this is one of the areas that Tony Blair has succeeded beyond all expectations. I am not for ID cards as I feel it is a further erosion of citizens' civil liberties. What are driving licences and passports, are these not 'ID cards'. Is the government admitting that these are easily duplicated and open to fraud? I won't be so presumptuous as to tell you who to vote for, you are an educated man. My advice would be to read some of the information leaflets from the political parties. These will no doubt be shoved through your letterbox in the coming weeks. Then you can arrive at a decision.
David Blair, Edinburgh, Uk

I feel the exact same as David. I feel there are no parties out there that represent what my views are. I am 21, tax payer and live on my own struggling with the ever growing council tax. There is no party I feel would improve my situation. I have been brought up to believe in Labour but recently my doubts are ever growing that things will improve if they are re-elected. Reading these pages perhaps smaller parties such as the SSP would be the way forward for the long term.
Undecided, Fife

I sympathise with David a lot as I would never vote either Labour or Tory. They are practically the same party and it's debatable which of them is more right-wing. I have sympathy with all of the Liberals, SNP, Greens and SSP and could probably create a case for voting for any of them. I think this time I'll vote SNP as I would like to see an independent Scotland dealing with its own affairs and problems rather than being dictated to by a Westminster that couldn't care less what we think.
Alan, Dunfermline

Conservatives would scrap the Labour governments 50% target for university admissions and are also against imprisonment without trail, but support ID cards. This seems to match David's views.
Jon Harrison, Glasgow

Your opinions do seem very split. In Glasgow, there are not many parties which can compete with Labour. However, in this election, in many areas of Glasgow, the Greens look like they might give them a run for their money, and have fielded very strong candidates. In terms of your beliefs, they opposed Iraq and imprisonment without trial. I don't know if you are concerned by the billions of deaths predicted by the UN due to climate change by 2050, but even if you are not, I suggest you tactically vote Green as they are the only party with a chance of beating Labour in much of Glasgow this time round.
Adam , Edinburgh, Scotland