I guess you're referring to a viable opposition contender where you live, but I'm planning on supporting the most agreeable independent candidate I can find.
No practical chance of them getting in, but it's an option when you think it's important to vote anyway for philosophical or historical reasons.
Especially in constituencies where you could pin a red or blue rosette on a donkey, and it would still get elected.
I've often though the best policy in a safe seat is to vote for the opposition, no matter who you support. It just makes the seat slightly less safe and hence your MP a bit more responsive to their constituents needs.
Are you sure they are safe? Historically they may have been, but this election will be different and many Tory supporters may not feel like giving them a manifesto for a hard brexit.
Labour are a disaster, so I suspect the Lib Dems may benefit strongly from the current situation.
> spoiled ballot papers counts are not announced at all
That's not true. Returning officers announce the number of rejected ballot papers, and explain why they were rejected, at the same time as this winner is announced.
No practical chance of them getting in, but it's an option when you think it's important to vote anyway for philosophical or historical reasons.
Especially in constituencies where you could pin a red or blue rosette on a donkey, and it would still get elected.