Building a Fairer Society: One vote at a time

Sometimes it can be difficult to get inspired by mainstream political parties. It is often difficult to see how a vote translates into a specific issue that you might care deeply about.

In the build-up to a General Election, a council election or a mayoral election it can be easy to let it wash over you, or conclude it’s all too complicated, or feel that all politicians are the same, and when the polls close on election day you find that for reasons that made perfect sense at the time find you haven’t actually cast your vote.

The reality is that government whether national or local matters. Government is, to put it bluntly, about real power. Government chooses how much money is spent and what it is spent on. Government sets the tone about how minority groups are thought of – asylum seekers being a good example.

Sure it’s difficult to see how one vote can make a difference - it’s only a drop in the ocean. But the ocean is made up of drops. Maybe your vote and your passion isn’t reflected in an election result. But if you don’t vote your voice, and those people who think like you, certainly won’t be heard. In fact, it’s a good excuse for politicians not to listen- ‘they never vote anyway’.

Shout Out – UK, a group campaigning for higher voting levels, highlights how only 70% young Londoners are on the electoral roll compared to almost 100% of over 65s [1] while 83% of people Black ethnic background are registered 94% of white Londoners are [2], and while 93% of homeowners are registered to vote only 85% of social renters are [3].

Sure these statistics are examples, and are London statistics, but it seems reasonable to assume that these power differentials tell a story that is reflected across the UK.

Building a fairer society isn’t just about voting. But progress on the ground can be quickly overturned by a Government. Progressive attitudes and outlooks can be reversed.

So if you wish your voice to be heard, if you aren’t registered - register to vote now and encourage others to do the same.  When election day comes, be it national, local, mayoral or referendum - vote.

Let’s build a fairer society: one vote at a time.

[1] 72% of eligible 16-24-year-old Londoners are registered to vote, compared with 97% of 65+ year olds. GLA, Survey of Londoners, June 2019 https://data.london.gov.uk/dataset/survey-of-londoners-headline-findings
[2] 83% of Londoners from a Black ethnic background are registered, compared to 94% of eligible White British Londoners. GLA, Survey of Londoners, June 2019

[3] 85% of social renters and 86% of private renters are registered to vote, compared with 93% of homeowners - occupiers. GLA, Survey of Londoners, June 2019