Today is the last day that you can register to vote in this year’s General Election. Whether you’re an adamant supporter of a party, or someone with no interest in politics, it is important to at least register you’re right to vote. Here’s some reasons why your vote matters!
Have Your Voice Heard
It’s a cliché but that’s what voting is, making a cross in a box to show a snapshot of your life opinion. More to the point, it’s a snapshot of the voting population’s opinions, and these will inform the political agenda for the next four years. If your voice isn’t heard, then party policies are less likely to be targeted to your needs.
An easy illustration of this was in the 2010 election. Less and less young people are voting, with the electorate age rising. This means that when party policies are made, the ones that are the biggest concern are those aimed at the solid dependable elderly voter as opposed to younger people. As a result the likely offshoot of this was that education fell off the agenda compared to the NHS and pensions. Not to say that the tuition fee rise was your fault, but there’s a chance you contributed if you didn’t vote!
Curb The Influence Of Extremist Parties
Right, I’m going to assume that like much of the general population, you don’t agree with far right politics. Now the likelihood is these parties won’t reach power, but even if they gain seats, they could wind up assisting a coalition government who needs to take on some of their policies in order to gain power.
This is potentially important in marginal seats, there’s a good reason why the minority parties put much of their energy into campaigning these constituencies. Put simply, they are tighter, sometimes decided by a small handful of votes. If you live in a marginal constituency, your vote really could swing the direction of your local politics, and potentially the formation of the next government. Who knew the pen was that mighty!
People Died For Your Right To Vote
Without sounding like a preacher, people like the Pankhursts and Emily Davidson put their lives on the line in order to gain a right that is so commonplace that we neglect to use it. Only 200 years ago 97% of the population didn’t even have the right to vote. By not registering to vote, you’re essentially ensuring that a smaller margin have their say.
Non-Voters Outnumbered The Support Of Every Political Party In 2010
15.9 million people declined to vote last year, the Conservatives reached power with 10.7 million votes. Do the math. If even half the non-voter population put a ballot in, the election could have an entirely different result!
Even if politics don’t speak for you, there’s a way of letting people know!
OK, so none of the parties appeal to you. What’s the point in voting then?
The answer is simple, register anyway. Go in and spoil your ballot, draw a penis on the paper for all it’s worth. The fact you registered to vote and then didn’t vote for a party shows that your engaged with politics enough to want a say, but are disillusioned by the choice on offer. Or you could do a Russell Brand, refuse to vote and lump whatever government comes into power next month…
You can register to vote here! It takes less than 5 minutes but could affect the next five years of your life.
Don’t Be A Scrote: Register To Vote!
