Get Out and Vote!
It's Not A General Election But Vote Anyway!
Today is 4th May 2023. You may ask what is so special about this date? Well, unless you've been living on Mars for the last month or so you will be aware that it is the local elections.
This is not a general election so it will not replace or re-elect the current government. It is simply about voting for councillors of whichever party you prefer in your town hall. Councillors are like mini-MPs except they are representing their constituents in local areas. They are elected to mini chambers similar to parliament at Westminister. Whichever party has the most votes forms the ruling council and decides policies for the area they are in.
Even though it is not a general election the results could be used as a gauge to see what party would dominate. All party leaders Rishi Sunak of the Conservatives, Sir Keir Starmer of Labour, Ed Davey of the Lib-Dems, etc, have been touring the length and breadth of the land. From the south, midlands, and the north, the party leaders have been rallying the faithful. Also trying to convince floating voters that their party has the people's interests at heart.
It is speculated the Conservatives (if polls are to be believed) will lose a thousand councillors. Rishi Sunak will be aware of this (unless he is living in a bubble as many accuse him of) that results for the Tories could be dire. But of course, Sunak has to put a brave face on it before and after the results.
Sir Keir will be hoping for the breakthrough Labour need. The breakthrough they need if they are to form the next government next year. Polls give Labour a significant lead over the Conservatives. Ed Davey of the Lib Dems will be hoping people fed up with the two other parties will turn to his party. There are other parties like the Greens, Reform, etc, who usually do quite well in local elections. Unfortunately, our First Past The Post voting system only favours the two biggest parties with the biggest votes. It is difficult for smaller parties (like the ones mentioned) to break through. If we had a more representative form of voting then these other parties would have more MPs. As it stands the Greens have only one MP in Westminister.
If the local elections go badly for the Tories many say let's hope they get the message. Get the message and change tack. There is absolutely no chance of that. Sunak and his cohorts will probably dig in and carry on the same policies right up until the next general election in May 2024. They may put some sweeteners along the way for the pensioners and others who usually support them. Nevertheless many say let's hope the Tories really do change course but why should we want them to? They have been in power for 14 years (or soon will be). If they had wanted to change policy they would already have done so. The Tories under 5 Prime Ministers and disastrous policies have had their chance. It's time for a change and we need to deliver a verdict at the ballot box that will deliver an earthquake to the Tories. Both today at the local elections and in the general elections next year.
Many have questioned the necessity to have I D as you go to vote today. Some agree with it to prevent fraud and that is understandable. Others see it as creeping authoritarianism and they may have a point too.
The important thing is to get out and use your vote. Deliver a message to Wishy-Washy-Rishi and say the next time we vote it won't just be losing councillors. It will be him and his bunch of crooks out of office at the general election in 2024.
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About the Creator
Nicholas Bishop
I am a freelance writer currently writing for Blasting News and HubPages. I mainly write about politics. But have and will cover all subjects when the need arises.
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