I’ve gone through a lot of elections. I grew up in one country and now live in another, and both have multiple layers of elected government. So, I’ve lived through many elections where the outcome directly affects me or my family. In each election, there’s been a candidate or party I’ve strongly wanted to win. And in each election, I’ve had major disagreements with that candidate or party about one or more issues. That hasn’t stopped me voting for them (when I could), or wanting to (when I could’t). Those disagreements don’t prevent my support, because an election is about choosing the best outcome, not the perfect one. You only get 100% agreement with a candidate if you run for office.

That’s why it frustrates me when someone who clearly 95% in agreement with a candidate or party then talks about voting for an opposite because of the 5% of disagreement. The question at the ballot box is not “which candidate do you agree with 100%?”, but “which candidate is the best?”.

I hope those of you unhappy with your choice of candidates take that into consideration when you vote.