To Vote or Not To Vote...
To vote or not to vote…
…That is the question.
Digestible Politics: Why Your Voice Matters
Photo courtesy of Yero Timi-Biu
From mandates to manifestos, the lead up to the election can get really confusing. Not to worry though, Yero Timi-Biu thinks there’s still time to get clued up on politics.
The general election will be taking place next week. Politics can be a contentious subject, (this is why people tend to shy away from political dinner table talk before binge-watching American TV shows that hinge on political tactics and back-biting).
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When an election looms, it seems like all of a sudden various policies, mandates and plans for your future are completely thrust upon you. MPs start having more frequent screaming matches in parliament, and party leaders are quick to claim they have your best interests at heart.
POLITICIANS DON’T MAKE POLITICS EASY TO UNDERSTAND.
The democratic system of voting is a way in which we (the public) can choose party leaders to govern the UK. Parties will be making legislations that affect our everyday lives, from deciding issues about school fees and the increase of minimum wage, to affordable housing in the future. It can sometimes feel like politicians are speaking at us, rather than to us. There are some really useful apps like Bite the Ballot that combat this by engaging users and providing accurate information.
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Many of us (under 18 years old at the time) were unable to vote in the 2010 general election. Out of those of us who could, only 44% of 18-24 year olds voted. Young people, ‘the yoof’, millenials, generation Y and Z, or whatever we’re being called this week, are a hot topic in the 2015 election. We are the future. We are the demographic that politicians and publications keep trying to prod and poke. We are packing out the auditorium of Facebook’s HQ, grilling our current Prime Minister, David Cameron and fellow party leaders. We are important.
we are important.
Even if you’re under 18 and unable to vote in this year’s election, it’s so useful to have background knowledge on parties, the process of voting and what’s happening in your local constituency, as well as nationally. Political parties often have one or two main issues they put at the forefront of their campaigns. Parties and their followers tend to veer towards the same issues such as immigration and the National Health Service (NHS). If you’ve registered to vote and want a simple breakdown of what the parties have to offer, before the big day (7th May) we’ve looked at the main issues affecting young people today such as education, further development (internships and apprenticeships, personal income, and housing). Hopefully this will help you make a well-informed voting decision, or at least a better understanding of what to expect during this intense time frame.
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Don’t worry if you’re still unsure about how the voting process works or who to vote for, as over the next few days we’ll be posting lots of bitesized bits of information to make things a bit clearer. Stay tuned.
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About the author
Yero Timi-Biu
Yero is a 22-year-old writer-director for TV and film and former (self-professed) serial intern. She took a detour through fashion when at aged 16, she took part in a documented internship with BBC Blast, where 10 teenagers had 6 months to create and showcase a fashion label. Subsequently, she then went on to study a Fashion Communication degree in London and graduated in 2013. Yero has recently returned to the UK after 3 months in New York, where she attended a Screenwriting workshop. With a keen interest in broadcast, Yero has always been interested in using writing, film and audio as a form of creating conversations, tackling the stigma of talking about social issues, as well as documenting and promoting underrepresented people in society. She is especially interested in raising awareness of mental health issues, long-term illnesses and encouraging well being, (especially within young people who may want to pursue a creative career).
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