The young should use their votes
THIS year people have had to actively sign themselves up to vote in the upcoming election. It’s crucial for everyone, but especially young people. Over the past five years they have experienced much higher unemployment and a lot slower recovery than older workers. With many still struggling to get onto the first rung of the career ladder it’s vital that they have a say in who’s going to run the country.
Most young people didn’t vote at the last election — only 44 per cent — but they can make a big difference. Research by the Intergenerational Foundation reveals that if 10 per cent more of young people went to the ballot box they could swing the result in 83 seats.
We urge young people to take control of their futures. Lynn Gradwell, director, Barnardo’s London OVER the past few months Operation Black Vote have been criss-crossing the UK, including London, to get the message across that if you don’t vote you will take the diversity out of our institutions.
Black celebrities including Tinie Tempah, Sol Cambell, David Harewood and June Sarpong have helped us to get the message across. Now, we’re urging all of our communities, particularly black and minority ethnic (BAME) ones, to vote. Exercise your democratic franchise, we say.
In the most tightly-contested general election in a generation there will be over 160 seats — many of which are in London — where the BAME vote could be crucial in deciding who wins and who loses. Our political demands are simple: a society where the colour of your skin does not determine your life chances. This way, many more people can fulfil their fantastic potential. Simon Woolley, director, Operation Black Vote
ALONG with the right to vote in British elections, with the universal suffrage fought for and won a hundred years ago, we retain and hold the right not to vote.
It is apparent throughout the world that socialism denies innovation and suppresses the right to find ways of making a legal living by one’s own wits, acquiring and using skills and talents to provide for our families. Only capitalism sees the children fed.
Many people hold different political views from my own — firmly held and thought through— that the state should be in charge of people’s lives and livelihoods.
But the last Labour government deterred house building and development, exported our manufacturing jobs and froze tax thresholds the poor were depending on to keep up with higher living costs.
I respect their opinions but ask that they use their right not to vote — I simply cannot afford another Labour government. Sue Doughty
Most young people didn’t vote at the last election — only 44 per cent — but they can make a big difference
Lynn Gradwell