As we near the general election on December 12th it is really important everyone has registered to vote. The deadline to vote is on Tuesday 26th November at 11:59pm. Anyone not registered to vote past this time will not be able to fulfil their right as a British citizen to vote in the general election. An election which will bring in massive changes, whoever wins.
We are very lucky to live in a country where we democratically elect out members of parliament. We one of only 20 countries to be labelled as fully democratic by The Economist website, although I do believe we need reforms to our democratic process. It is not a privilege to be able to vote. It should be a right of every adult to vote in a democratic election in their country. We should not take this right lightly, especially after everything people have done to fight for their rights to vote.
For a long time, only rich men of privilege were able to vote in this country. This way the ruling class were able to keep control of the working class. Without any form of representation, or any means of appointing a representative, the working class often lived in poverty with poor working conditions and very little rights. As the Great Reforms of 1832, 1867 and 1884 were enforced, the electorate increased to include men who owned property. Although this did not cover all men, it was a big step forward in the right direction. Politicians now had to consider the rights of the working class to win an election. William Gladstone was Prime Minister 4 times in the 19th century because of his popularity with the working class. With the rise of trade unions, more working class representatives started to run as MPs. These independent trade unionist ended up forming the Labour Party, lead by Keir Hardie.
Although working class men were being given the right to vote, the struggle to achieve universal suffrage continued as women were still denied the right to vote. The fight lead by the Suffragist and the Suffragette will go down in British history as one of the most pivotal fights in British democratic history. The Suffragist was a movement to achieve the right to vote for middle class, property owning women. They believed in accomplishing their goals through peaceful protest. On the other hand, the Suffragette believed in civil disobedience and direct action, by breaking the law. Once arrested, they would go on hunger strikes, which led to force feeding. Their fight led to women being given the right to vote in 1918, where all men over 21 and property owning women over 30 were given the right to vote. In 1928, universal suffrage was achieved as all men and women over 21 could now vote.
Even though we achieved universal suffrage very early, compared to most countries, we should not forget the struggle from all around the world. Whether we’re talking about the civil rights movement in USA or the fight for democracy in countries like Saudi Arabia, we must remember every fight for democracy. People around the world have died so the future generations could vote. We must never think of voting as a burden. Instead we should be grateful to live in a country and during a time where it is possible for you to go out and place your vote, under no restrictions.
The system may not be perfect, but there is only one way to improve it, and that is by placing your vote. Changes we should be seeking are, a move away from first past the post system, an elected house of lords and voting age being lowered to 16. Change will take time but that does not mean you should not vote. There is never a good enough reason to not vote for anyone who is eligible. If you can’t make it to the polling station, there is postal voting.
If you are someone who believes nothing will change, which ever way you vote, you are wrong. This election will bring about vast changes which could drastically change the direction this country is heading. If the Tories win, we are looking at a Hard Brexit which will have a massive impact on the running of this country. We will no longer have close ties with the EU. Austerity will continue to facilitate a Hard Brexit and we likely to see the NHS move towards privatisation to gain a trade deal with America, to replace the one we will lose with the EU. A Hard Brexit will hit the working class the hardest, as we will see an increase in poverty and a reduction in jobs.
Under a Labour government we will have a second referendum. If leave won again, we will have a Soft Brexit, which puts the rights of the workers ahead of the needs of the 1%. We will continue to work closely with the EU, whilst maintaining our independence. Even if we remain, changes are going to be massive. By enforcing a Green New Deal, UK would try to accomplish net zero carbon by 2030. Major work will be directed towards accomplishing that, by creating new jobs and new infrastructure. By ending austerity, we will see funding increase for the NHS, education and police service. We will also see an actual battle to end homelessness and bring down the rate of poverty. Whether leave or remain wins a second referendum, a Labour government is going to bring about big changes that is going to move this country forward.
If you are one of the 30% who didn’t vote in the last election and are not going to vote again, you must rethink. This election could bring about changes that will impact generations to come. Depending on who wins, these changes will either have a negative impact under a Tory government, or a positive impact for the many, under a Labour government. Everyone has something they hold dear to them. From the NHS to battling homelessness and fighting poverty. Whether you want to remain or leave. There has to be something you believe in for you to go out and vote. If you are a new voter, remember to register to vote. Your deadline is on Tuesday 26th November at 11:59pm. Get out there and vote Labour to bring about real change and an equal society.
Aleha
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote
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