Hello. In this post I'm going to put my opinion and situation to the readers of this subreddit. I do so in an attempt to get an opinion from you in how I should act in regards to the election today and to give you the viewpoint of a first time voter in the United Kingdom.

Background and context: I am 18 years old and I live in a safe Labour seat. Without going into too much detail, I believe the seat is guaranteed for Labour today as the history of the voting in my constituency shows a 20+ year span of them being voted into power.

Here is where I am at in terms of my opinion of the voting system: I don't feel like voting for anybody in the upcoming election in particular, however, I am leaning towards voting for the Conservatives because I have taken 6 opinion polls and watched a great video explaining all the party manifestos and that seems to be the least worst option I can vote for with Labour trailing an extremely close second. The trouble is, I don't like the idea of being naive and being asked who I voted for and people thinking I am an idiot for doing so. Do I have to tell people who I voted for? I am a bit worried about my family asking who I voted for because I know for a fact who one of my parents are voting for and I don't know how they will react to voting. I feel the current government system needs a reform and a shake up but of course I am not in the position (at this moment in time) to change anything. I could get active in the political scene but i am worried that I wouldn't have the "whip" and would be outcast for my views.

I'm just really on the fence about it all and feel pressured into voting in a system I don't support. However, I take responsibility for not doing enough research into the election to be able to cast a vote. Does anybody else feel this way? What did you decide to do?

I have considered simply spoiling the paper and simply waiting until the next general election but that is five years away and by that time (if I stay in the UK) I might think "I should have voted for n party".

TL;DR: I am 18 y/o I have little support for the current government system especially after seeing cover ups and scandals such as the expenses scandal and the higher up people protecting paedophiles as well as cases where MPs are making money on the side through off the books deals and not declaring the income. I am on the fence about whether to vote and for which party.

So I ask for an opinion on my situation. I really am considering going and spoiling my paper but have heard it is pointless because it gets cast as a no vote like the others.

I'm thinking the only logical way I can not vote and feel I changed something is starting my own political movement. That is how the situation looks to me but I'll see what everybody says.