That almost sounds like a tag line for an ad. campaign.
I’ve been doing some reading around the past couple of weeks into & around the Euro elections. Who’s standing, what the issues are and so on. Unfortunatly, what with the level of Politician hatred that’s kicked off this past week, and with the compounding effect of increasing voter apethy as time goes on, I’m getting increasingly worried that some of the more extremist fringe parties are going to get a seat at the European Parliament, which (to be honest) scares me.
At the last set of elections, the BNP managed a result of around 6.5% in the North West of England. That wasn’t just in the areas that they’re known to be strong (Burnley, Oldham etc), but they managed to field candidates in many seats throughout the region. Low voter turnout was cited as the reason that they managed to get in -they had motivated their electorate but the rest of the main parties had managed to turn ‘off’ Joe Bloggs, and hence they got the seats.
The worrying thing is (that pundits and journalists would have me belive), as soon as they hit the 10% mark, then it’s pretty guaranteed that they’ll get a seat on the European Parliament. Due to where we are now, and our complience (whether you believe it is right or wrong) with the EU parliament and the policies which come out from the EU, if far right parties such as the BNP were to have seats on this decision making board, all of Europe would be effected. It would legitamise other far-right parties throughout the continent, and miniority groups would suddenly find themselves ‘unwanted’ in their society, rather than ‘embraced’. This gives me real cause for concern.
And the worst bit, is that if they hit the 10% mark, then if rumours are true, they’ll automatically get invites to regular shows such as Newsnight on the Beeb. Which then projects their viewpoint, albeit in a carefully managed and packaged product, into the heartland of the UK. That’s the disturbing thing - they suddenly would become a legitamate force in UK politics, rather the unwanted black sheep of the family (pun intended).
So, I guess what I’m saying is that I’m asking you to spread the word out there. Not so much to vote for one of the main parties if you don’t believe their politics, just VOTE, and don’t waste your ballot. Hell, if you’ve real beef with the UK being managed by Europe, evan vote UKIP if you actually believe with their policies. Just make sure you use it though.
As the EU website says on the notion of “Why Vote” :
By voting in EP elections, you choose who influences your future and the daily life of close to 500 million fellow Europeans. If you don’t bother, somebody else will - and decide who represents you at the only directly elected Pan-European assembly. Elected MEPs shape the future of Europe for 5 upcoming years. Get the Europe you want! If you don’t vote, don’t complain.
I know that voter apathy is high at the moment, and the whole Politican/fee thing has ruined the faith that the Electorate has, but if you’re honestly concerned about keeping your joy if you work in the public sector, or worried for the stability of society if you’re in a minority group, make damn sure you and everyone you know votes in the upcoming elections. I truly beleive in this situation that not voting for whatever reason, is a very foolish (if not downright stupid) thing to do. We’ve taken a bloody long time to get to this point in our society, and ignoring the democratic process because you can’t be arsed or think its cool is unbelievably self centred. One person, one vote.
Use it - and try to encourage others to do the same.