Using your vote is majorly important. It allows you to engage with the politics around you, and have a say in the way your country is run. With the UK snap election just around the corner, and only days until you can no longer register to vote, now is the important time to engage yourself in politics, and understand what you’re voting for.
People tend to say they don’t vote because they don’t find politics interesting. Unfortunately, as uninteresting as you find it, as someone living in the UK, the UK political scene, and the party in power, is obviously something which directly affects you.
One of the worst things you can do in these scenarios (besides not bothering to vote) is voting one way and regretting it later. This was definitely seen in the recent EU referendum, whereby polls indicate that the number of people who regret voting leave is a greater margin than the Brexit victory itself. It was a campaign that can be seen as shambolic from start to finish, with false facts being thrown out left right and centre, notably the ‘£350 million for the NHS’ figure which was reinforced consistently throughout the campaign, only to be debunked hours after the result was announced. It’s hard not to wonder what may have happened had the British public truly understood what they were voting for.
Therefore, with Britain’s exit from the EU imminent, in order for you to fully voice your opinion, it is important to educate yourself on who you’re voting for.
Firstly, figure out what is important to you when it comes to politics.
Firstly, figure out what you care about when it comes to political change, and what you are looking for in a political party. Which local MP will be most beneficial to you and the people you care about? Whose policies will create the greater amount of positive change for more people? Who speaks about issues which you personally feel are important?
Research party manifestos, and see where they stand on key issues, like social issues, health care, education and housing. If researching in great detail is not for you, then there are plenty of other ways to learn. For example, handy online quizzes will help you determine which party your views align with.
Remember, even if after researching all of the parties, none of them appeal to you, you should still go ahead and vote. For example, you hate every policy you’ve read about, so on the 8th June you go to the voting station and scribble all over your ballot paper, at least by spoiling your ballot, you are voicing an opinion and displaying some form of political discontent. If you don’t vote at all, not even your political dissent is noted.
So remember: register to vote before the 22nd! It takes 5 minutes and gives you the chance to head down to the polling station on the 8th June and have your say.
