Use Your Vote!

“Democracy is the worst form of government apart from all the others.” Winston Churchill.

The general election is upon us and with it the opportunity for citizens to exert their democratic choice of the next government. Although voting is compulsory in some countries, in the UK it is not and many do not take this opportunity. Turnout at the last general election in 2019 was 67.3%, i.e. a third of the eligible population did not use their vote. Turnout in the 2024 mayoral elections was worse, at 30%.

According to a recent survey, although 90% of people in the UK support the idea of democracy, only 17% believe the political system in the UK is working well. Whereas in 2018 a majority of those surveyed believed that government had the most power in the political system, in 2023 a majority felt the most wealthy had the most power.

This suggests that people’s faith in the ability of a democratic system to help them is being eroded and there is evidence to suggest that younger people are increasingly of the view that it would be better to have a strong leader who does not have to bother with Parliament.

Conversations on the doorstep indicate that many voters are disenchanted with politics, with comments such as “They are all the same” being common.

Despite its flaws, democracy has a number of advantages over other systems of government. Democracy is about the sharing of power. Once every few years, those with power have to submit themselves to the opinions of the electorate about whether they should retain power or not. A Parliamentary system prevents citizens being subject to arbitrary rule at the whim of a dictator.

The right of all adult citizens to vote has been the result of many years of campaigning and activism by our forbears, some of whom died for the cause, such a Emily Davison whose statue in Morpeth is pictured.

The Squirrel urges you, whatever your political persuasion, to use that right on July the 4th.                                                                 

Michael Clarke