Voting is vital. It’s how we all affect our future. It is the time when we, the people, have the most power over our nation’s politicians.
We can elect bright new MPs and end the careers of others. We can make or break governments and decide the future direction of our country. All of that with the stroke of a pencil on paper. Will you vote in the general election? What about the North East mayoral election? Or will you not bother voting, out of apathy?
I understand your disaffection, but the people need your help.
The struggle
I get it. I was 18-years-old when I cast my first vote ever in the 2015 general election. I was so thrilled, eager and optimistic. I felt the power of the pencil on the paper and the satisfaction of sliding said paper into the ballot box. I had a say in who I wanted my MP to be, who I wanted my government to be and I, along with millions of others, was making my voice heard.
But then fast-forward six years and I’m stood in the voting booth again. Elections to the local council this time. The scene has changed from an old church overlooking a beautiful river and fields on a stunningly sunny day to a community centre on a cloudy day. My preferred party was not on the ballot paper. My least favourite candidate was a shoo-in. I stood there, looking at the options, miserable. I had no one to vote for.
Beyond that, I have never once voted in a general election and had my vote count towards the victory. Maybe that will change this year who knows? It was the same in the EU referendum and it has been the same in all local council elections. Despite my passionate campaigning, it does get quite disheartening.
The toxicity
Politics can be an exciting and engaging time. I’ve seen and experienced the thrills of being an activist, debating, making new friends and making a stand against the government. All in a day’s work and all quite good fun.
But there is another side to it. People can talk about politicians in the media saying hateful things or breaking the law but there is a lot more of it closer to home. As a political activist, I have knocked on doors, given out leaflets in the street, done all sorts involving public engagement and received more than enough verbal abuse.
And then there’s those who take it all too personally. Those who see your political views as something to be looked down on and judged. Both on opposing party lines and within parties. Although my political views have remained more or less the same over the last ten years, I have had minor changes of heart. With that, I have changed parties since my first ever vote. Inevitably, I have lost friends as a result. Friends I made on the campaign trail. Not by my wish but because sadly, there are always those for whom the friendship is only about the politics.
So, I understand. Why would you want to be involved when politicians say hateful things, break their promises and even break the law? Why would you want to be involved when some people will attack you for your views? And why, oh why, would you want to be involved when the slightest change of direction could see some friends turn their backs on you?
The necessity
Politics isn’t always great. It can be nasty and exhausting. But you know this, don’t you? After all, you’re staying out of it.
But don’t. Up and down the country, people need your help. For the first time in fourteen years, it looks as though we might get a change in government. We might not, things might just stay the same. Or maybe we get another majority government, this time under the Labour and not the Conservatives. Maybe there will be no majority and smaller parties like the Liberal Democrats, Greens and Reform UK might hold the balance of power.
Who knows what will truly happen until the election itself? But one thing is for certain: change cannot and will not happen if you don’t take part and vote. Perhaps you think that all the politicians are the same? Yes, there are a lot who let the side down but there are those who don’t, those who actually care. Perhaps you think you don’t know enough to vote? All you really need to know is what you want and then you can judge the candidates before you, see who deserves your vote. Your future is yours and your country yours as much as anyone else’s. You have the right to say how you want it to be, whether people agree or disagree. When you walk into that polling station, you and the Prime Minister both become equal voters. You have the power to change things or let them stay the same. Use that power. For all of us.
For the first time in, perhaps longer than I care to admit, I am excited to cast my vote. This excitement is both for the new North East Mayor who will be elected on 2 May and the general election, happening sometime this year. My excitement comes from the fact that in both elections, I have the chance to vote for a more positive future, a positive future that may well come to pass. My plea to you is, join me. No matter how you cast your vote, just make sure to cast it.
