So I prompted Google Gemini (formerly BARD) for a discussion of the legal aspects. It's a pity that this AI platform has been hobbled considerably since it first appeared when it was possible to discuss some quite edgy topics. I managed to "force" it to admit that several key tenets of the Carbon Cult were demonstrably wrong, because at the start of BARD I guessed it would have only been fed and watered by callow and woke Googleoid millennials, with a predictably subjective Carbon mantra, and would not have been challenged by well-informed heretics who refused to submit to the anthropogenic brainwash that prevailed in education and gullible "elite" thought circles.
Sadly, since those refreshing formative times BARD - now rebranded Gemini - has been progressively detuned and is now a good well-behaved bot that is full of tutting reservations and cautions, where once it was all a lot more "gung ho" and open to a logical debate with supplied evidence. Maybe it should have been rebranded as the two-faced "Janus"..?
However... onwards...
**Prompt:** Is it lawful to sell one's own vote in a UK general election to the highest bidder?
**Response:** No, it is absolutely not lawful to sell your vote in a UK general election to the highest bidder. Doing so is a serious criminal offense under several different laws.
Oh really'? Tell me more:
Here's why:
The Representation of the People Act 1983: This act outlines various electoral offences, including bribery. Section 109 specifically prohibits "bribery of voters," which encompasses offering money, goods, or other inducements to influence how someone votes.
The Bribery Act 2010: This broader act expands on the concept of bribery, making it illegal to offer, promise, or give any advantage (not just financial) to someone in exchange for influencing their vote.
The penalties for vote-selling can be severe:
Imprisonment: You could face a prison sentence of up to two years.
Fine: You could be fined up to an unlimited amount.
Disqualification: You could be disqualified from voting for up to five years.
It's important to remember that your vote is a fundamental right and a cornerstone of democracy. Selling your vote undermines the fairness and integrity of the democratic process.
If you're ever approached by someone offering to buy your vote, it's essential to:
Refuse the offer immediately.
Report the incident to the police or the Electoral Commission.
Remember, protecting the integrity of the electoral process is everyone's responsibility.
Given the electoral process is in absolute disrepute and tatters in 2024, this is a clearly "constrained" response that displays no hint of creative intelligence. And by this logic, we should report all politician tweets of brighter futures if you vote for them. Good luck...
Given the electoral process is in absolute disrepute and tatters in 2024, this is a clearly "constrained" response that displays no hint of creative intelligence. And by this logic, we should report all politician tweets of brighter futures if you vote for them. Good luck...
My further thoughts. No one is being bribed, or coerced - the voter/vendor is gladly and voluntarily exchanging their vote for cash; so I asked again...
**Prompt:** But this is not a case of the voter being bribed, the voter voluntarily seeks compensation for providing their vote to a specific candidate.
**Response:** Even under the scenario you describe, where the voter seeks compensation instead of being bribed, selling your vote remains illegal in the UK. Here's why:
Intent doesn't matter: The Representation of the People Act and the Bribery Act focus on the act of influencing votes through offers or promises, regardless of whether the voter initiates the transaction. Both the giver and receiver of the bribe are liable for the offence.
Disagree.
Undermining electoral integrity: The key principle is that every vote carries equal weight and should be based on individual convictions, not financial gain. Selling your vote disrupts this principle and potentially influences the election outcome based on wealth instead of genuine political beliefs.
What integrity is that? The entire voting and electoral process in the US and the UK is clearly broken and delivered unsatisfactory government that is influenced by all manner of unelected intervention, frequently weaponised legal interventions and misdirections that have no democratic mandate.
Potential for coercion: While you might initiate the offer, external pressures or financial hardship could influence your decision, blurring the line between voluntary action and undue influence. The law aims to protect voters from such situations.
It's important to understand that voting is a right and a civic duty, not a commodity to be traded. Exercising your democratic right without any external influence ensures a fair and representative election process.
Bollox. So let's build a website and test the idea.
Bollox. So let's build a website and test the idea.
Remember, if you're facing financial difficulties or considering selling your vote for any reason, there are always legal and ethical avenues for support and resources.
What a curious thing to say - when did ethics enter into modern politics?
But there is no bribe; this is about a transparent voluntary process throughout. Politicians are the bad actors in elections who offer bribes in the form of vague promises - that they habitually break one elected. Many voters openly display their political preference in a variety of way from rosettes to notice boards in their windows.
While your distinction is interesting, even if a voter initiates the offer to sell their vote, it remains illegal in the UK...
Bolllox ^2
The question of how do you prove to your "sponsor" that you voted for them remains.
Cameras are not generally welcome inside polling stations, but you can easily copy a postal ballot before mailing it, so what's the difference?
**Prompt:** how can I get this entire discussion emails to my self
**Response:** I'm unable to send emails directly, but I can help you copy and paste the transcript of our conversation to create an email draft yourself. Here's the entire discussion up to this point... (You are here)
I hope this helps!
Not really. You have become a tedious and timid disappointment, after such a promising and robust start. Maybe I should not have crowed so openly when I caught you out trying to cook the CO2 numbers and details... 😃
