Swap My Vote - why not just vote for one of the top two parties here?

Someone at 38 degrees thinks the vote is sewn-up in Richmond Park.
Last time, the unelected candidates' votes were similar to the elected candidate's votes, so I don't think it was sewn-up last time - just too short of stubborn voters who ignore the local numbers.
http://www.electionforecast.co.uk/tables/predicted_vote_by_seat.html is the table used for predictions, but is suggests a lot of people voting for their no-hope choice which didn't happen last time.

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Dear Fido

Next Thursday, would you rather be voting in an area where the race is tight?

In places like Richmond Park where you live, your vote might not change the result. It seems like it’s already sewn up. [1] But what if you could move your vote to a battleground constituency, like Brighton Kemptown, where the race could come down to a few votes?

Here’s the idea. You swap your vote with another 38 Degrees member in a tight-race constituency. They’d prefer to choose one of the smaller parties, but they’re willing to vote for a front-runner to help swing the result - as long as someone somewhere else (you?) votes for their smaller party. That way, when the national picture’s totted up, their favoured smaller party will still have the same share of national votes.

Basically: they’ll vote for the party you want to win, in a seat where that vote has huge impact. And in return, you’ll vote for their choice of smaller parties.

Are you in? Click here to say you might be interested:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/swap-my-vote

Here’s how it works:

1. You fill out a quick form to say which party you’d like to help win in a tight-race constituency. You also say which parties you’d be prepared to vote for in exchange.
2. The website will search through forms from 38 Degrees members in places where the race is tighter, until it finds a match.
3. You’ll be put in touch with them to arrange the vote swap.

Why would someone living in a marginal constituency want to swap their vote? Even where the race is tight it’s usually only between two parties. Someone who supports another smaller party might find themselves in a tricky position. Voting for their favourite party could split the vote, and actually help the party that they really don’t want to win.

That’s where you come in. If you vote for their party then they vote ‘tactically’ for your party - knowing that their favourite party still gets a vote somewhere else in the country. Both of your votes have more impact as a result.

If you’re in, click here to express your interest, so the office team knows if it’s something lots of people will want to do:
https://secure.38degrees.org.uk/swap-my-vote

Why bother? Our democracy’s a bit shaky, really. Not everyone’s vote has an equal effect on who the next government is. 38 Degrees members have spent the last five years using new technology together to change the way the world works - so why not bring the same spirit to this election?


Thanks for being involved,

James, Susannah, Laura and the 38 Degrees team

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NOTES
[1] As estimated by independent election experts: http://www.electionforecast.co.uk/

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