Whoever or wherever you are in Britain today the sad fact is millions of people mainly the under 30's are not exercising their right to vote, under 56% of under 24's are registered compared to 96% of over 65's. What does this tell us as about where we are as nation? It tells me that those over 65 still remember the struggle that they and their parents and grandparents went through in order to have the basic right to vote and that our under 30's are not informed or educated enough about politics, which is mainly the fault of our current and preceding governments. This is also backed up by a disenfranchised population who have no trust in their elected officials at all.
I believe passionately that we must change in order to force the political elite to change. By not being registered to vote you are in turn doing what they system expects of you, allowing them to continue to ignore you and make policies without your input, at the end of the day politicians make policies for the people that vote! Something that is debatable, yes, but a fact nonetheless. Russell Brands thinks he has the answer with his revolution movement but it leaves a very bitter taste in my mouth. Tell me, how can not voting force them to listen to you? It clearly doesn't work; a 35% turnout in this year's European/Local elections proves it. The media now thinks that because UKIP won 27.5% of the vote from the meager 35% who exercised their right to vote that they are what the nation wants. If you are one of those people who chose not to vote then this again proves that they (the media) and Westminster will continue to tell you what they want you to believe.
You only have to look at the Scottish referendum this September to see how engaging democracy can be with a turnout of 84.59% it shows that when people are educated and informed about their nation and what the political parties plan for them that they can become passionate about their rights and opinions. For all the good that came out of the Scottish referendum what resonates mostly with me is that democracy only works when we the people come out and vote.
What if you don't know who to vote for or don't like any of the candidates or parties standing in your locality? Well, there is an alternative to simply not turning up at the ballot box, turn up and spoil your ballot paper. If there is no one you believe represents you then you can tell them by simply putting a line through your ballot paper, this shows that you value your freedom and right to vote and will not be ignored. Millions of spoiled ballot papers will send a much more powerful message than millions of non-voters who are effectively choosing to be ignored. History proves that decision makers will always fail those who put up the least resistance.
Perhaps this demonstrates why our most deprived areas are the way they are, because it is in these areas that people don't vote or make their voices heard when it comes to politics, they put up the least resistance which is why the Tory's can attack the welfare system and the most vulnerable in society with brutal cuts because they know the tax evaders and banks will fight back if forced to pay their share, our deficit could be a surplus now if the political parties had the balls to fight for the people who elect them not the banks an big companies who put our nation in the dire position it is in today.
If this message reached just one person I can at least say I did something, if it reached 100's I would die a happy man. So please, please register to vote before May 2015, by doing that alone you have the power to be heard. Don't continue to let people you don't know make decisions without you. I find myself quoting from The Great Dictator a lot lately but it is as relevant today as it was 75 years ago.
"You the people have the power, the power to create machines, the power to create happiness. You the people have the power to make life free and beautiful, to make this life a wonderful adventure. Then in the name of democracy let us use that power - let us all unite. Let us fight for a new world, a decent world that will give men a chance to work, that will give you the future and old age and security. By the promise of these things, brutes have risen to power, but they lie. They do not fulfill their promise, they never will."
Only we the people have the power to change this...
Register to vote now! https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote