Roger Darlington makes excellent points as to why it’s important to vote tomorrow. I’m certainly somewhat cynical in this safe Labour seat that my vote will make much difference but I will remain optimistic that enough others share my opinion. As Roger points out, it’s a civic duty to be involved in the process by casting a vote. To the friends I have who refuse to vote because they don’t like the options open, I generally suggest the very least they do is spoil their paper. I still think it’s a waste, better to choose the “least worst”, or - if you really dislike the options available - stand yourself.
Not voting, as Ben suggests in my earlier post would lend more weight to those who do vote, and don’t share my opinions. I’m thinking the single policy extremists such as the BNP, Veritas and their ilk. It’s also a sad fact that the older vote is receiving so much more attention in this election than ever before simply because they are over 400% more likely to vote. If more younger people voted, I’m sure some of the policies they cared about would get the attention it deserved.
I’ve voted at every election I’ve been able to, with the exception of last years European elections, because we were travelling at the time and had no way of getting postal votes to us or allocating a proxy who would be able to vote in our place. I thoroughly enjoy the process of participating in a democratic election, despite the likelihood I will see my choice prevail (I’ve only ever once voted for a winning candidate, and that was Ken Livingstone in the first Mayoral election). I’m bemused by the “make it easier” arguments for such flawed ideas as SMS voting: The few minutes it takes to cast a vote is a small price to pay for a democratic process. That the process we have is itself flawed is no reason to abstain: Work for change from within is the best course of action, and I for one will be making my opinions known on the matter to the successful candidate here.
Much to Frances’ bemusement, I love the late-night election night process as the country is quite literally able to profoundly change in the course of a few hours. Only something as important as Bremner, Bird and Fortune on Channel 4 tomorrow night will take me away from the BBC coverage (the national programme is moved to BBC2 here in Scotland).
But it doesn’t end there. I think participating in democracy requires letters to be written to MP’s and councillors, ensuring your opinion is known to our representatives. They are after all representing us, and I’m sure the policies that were put forward would change to reflect the will of the people if more of the people actually took the time to make their opinions known.
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May 5th, 2005 at 4:39 pm
Thanks for the mention, Richard. I wish that all young people were as interested and thoughtful about politics and current affairs as you. I’ll be watching the results on BBC like you until the early hours of the morning!
May 6th, 2005 at 1:40 pm
Hey Rich, I too was watching the election coverage as the seats came in…I even managed to get David to vote (he won’t tell me who for though, but did promise me it wasn’t Tory!).
I was, however, slightly miffed with my (re-elected) Labour MP, who on an election leaflet that dropped through the door last week, had a picture of a number of my midwifery colleagues. I asked them about it and they were not told the photo was for a Labour party leaflet, which I think is underhand and unnecessary. However, I still voted for her, as I could not bear to think of the Tories getting in.
Hope you and Frances are well and happy, love to you both.