There's nothing better for democracy than a floating voter
Nothing more to make a politicain sit up and take notice than to realise they can lose due to a low turn out
Go figure
I must disagree. The problem is that floating voters are no more informed (most likely less informed) and politically literate than hard core party loyalists.
They have the most power to turn elections. Under first past the post, the whims of half a million voters in marginal constituencies can decide an election.
If after four or five years of a government, you haven't quite made your mind up, then you probably aren't particularly interested or knowledgeable about politics yet your whims may well decide the next government.
Such voters are key targets for propaganda, half truths and lies.
You assume too much . . .
Do I?
Well it seems pretty clear cut to me. Five years is a long time to assess the political parties and where they are. What can a government do in a few months that would make you switch your vote, never mind a few weeks!
If after five years you're thinking, "hmmm, Labour, Tory, Lib Dem, UKIP, Green, I still can't decide" then either you're not really well up on things or (less likely) you're in a position where it doesn't really matter to you who runs the country and are Price Harry or living on a trust fund or something. Either of those make you a poor person to to decide what the next government will be.