So, we’re only a few days away from the polls opening; by this point on Thursday, I will have voted in my first general election. Like many people, I haven’t decided who I’m going to give my vote to, but I do know that I am going to vote. So, politicians, you’ve still (just) got time to persuade me to your cause.
Not everyone is as sure as I am that they’ll be heading down to their local polling station, though. In fact, for some, it’s too late to make that choice, as the register to vote deadline passed a fortnight ago.
If potential voters did what comedian-come-political-revolutionary Russell Brand told them to before today, it will be too late for his shocking new political commandment to vote Labour, as he had claimed the only way to get change was to not play democracy’s voting game.
He was wrong and I’m glad Russell Brand has now changed his tune on voting. Not voting is the one, sure-fire way you maintain the status quo. There will also be someone to vote to keep the same similar faces in Westminster. If you want change, you need to vote for change, and, fortunately, this election is providing an opportunity for that with the surge in minority party support.
A few week a ago, I tweeted a link to an article written by Channel 4 News’ Alex Thompson explaining in his own words – having travelled to some of the most politically constrained countries – why you should vote and it stirred heated opinions.
If you’ve said you’re not going to vote in May, this by @alextomo sums up pretty well why you should change your mind http://t.co/gzxDxtajdZ
— Michael Seymour (@michaelgseymour) March 30, 2015
If you choose not to vote, you choose to let someone else decide the kinds of benefits you and your family will be entitled to, you choose to let someone else decide how much you pay for a pint, a basket of shopping and a tank of petrol, you choose to let someone else decide what kinds of schools will be open to your children. I could go on.
But how often to you hear someone who didn’t vote say, ‘I don’t mind how my country is run?’ You don’t, instead you hear them complaining about it. If you choose to not to vote, you choose wave your right to complain.
Good point, well made. VOTE. pic.twitter.com/zs0WxPZ8AZ
— Alex Andreou (@sturdyAlex) April 3, 2015
So do yourself, and the rest of the of us a favour. Whoever you vote for, just make sure you vote on Thursday.
Remember to keep an eye on the YourElection15 live blog on Thursday evening and the days following for live updates on the result of the election and the formation of Britain’s new government.
Michael Seymour
Live Blog Editor
Excellent post. I’m experiencing some off these issues as well..
Firstly, congratulations to all students involved with this site for providing better election coverage than the local Echo, but I think you’ve seriously missed an opportunity to provide the information that is needed in ‘safe seats’ such as Bournemouth.
IIRC, in both Bournemouth constituencies, the numbers of people not voting in the last election was greater than that achieved by any individual party, so there is still a chance to influence results if significantly more people vote and the use their votes tactically.
How many students from BU are likely to vote? Is the number big enough to make a difference to local results? I’m guessing it could be.
With apparent cosy jobs for life for the Tories in most Dorset seats, the main choice at the polls is do you want the Tories re-elected or not
If an individual’s answer is ‘no I want them out’, what is the best tactical voting option to remove them?
In the Bournemouth seats, the Lib-Dems trounced Labour in the race for second place in the last two elections, but Labour easily held second place in earlier elections.
With the Lib-Dems presumably unpopular with students for their tuition-fees U-turn, and unpopular with left-leaning voters for propping up a Conservative-led coalition, is the Labour party now the best tactical vote against the Tories?
As long as we have FPTP voting, tactical voting is one of the key concerns for voters and I think you’ve missed the chance to tackle the issue.
Hi Dave,
Thanks for the feedback. After a few days rest following our all-night TV, radio and online coverage we’re now looking to reflect on the project and discuss where we could have made improvements.. Your comments are something we’ll definitely take into consideration – however as trainee journalists’ our aim was to be as neutral as possible and not sway or encourage votes for any political party.
Thanks again.