DO you know what day it is tomorrow?
The more knowledgeable of you will be aware that it’s local election day, although I must admit it’s pretty easy to let this fact pass you by these days.
I don’t know about where you live, but round our way (Wirral) we’ve not seen a single election leaflet, doorstepping candidate or megaphoning van.
Maybe they feel the outcome in our ward is a foregone conclusion, but I think the fact no candidate seems willing to make an effort goes a long way to explaining the increase in voter apathy.
In recent local elections in the borough, a voting turnout of 40% has been considered good. In reality it’s pathetic.
Candidates – whether they think they’ve got much chance of winning or not – should be spending every spare hour trying to convince the huge ranks of undecided and uncaring to get off their backsides and get down to the polling stations.
Grief, you don’t even have to get off your backsides any more! If you’re too busy, too infirm or just plain lazy, you can vote by post or by proxy if you want.
Personally I always make the effort to vote, even if I’ve no idea who’s standing until I get my paws on the voting paper.
To me it doesn’t matter that I haven’t got a clue what the candidates’ policies are – although it would be nice – it’s the principle of the thing that’s important. You cannot moan about the council/government if you don’t even bother to vote against them when you get the chance.
Go on about the bin collections/council tax/pot holes if you like, but don’t tell me it’s not worth voting.
It’s called democracy, and tens of thousands of people around the world would literally give their right arms for it.
So remember, tomorrow is local election day. Get out and vote; I don’t care who it’s for. Vote for the Monster Raving Loonies if they’re standing – or even the Tories – I don’t care. Just do it. And stop moaning.
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Neil wrote...
Couldn't agree more Rock Chicky. I still remember how excited I was when I could vote for the first time, and I make a point of always putting my x in the box.
Otherwise, you can't have a moan. People should get involved. All you're talking about is a few mins walk to the polling booth - surely not too much to ask.
Posted by: Neil | May 2, 2007 6:49 PM