Stoke: Why your vote today matters.
Today, voters in Stoke-on-Trent Central will have the chance to decide who represents them in Parliament for the next three-years. Both UKIP and Labour have a chance of winning the seat — and even the Conservatives have seen their odds slashed by the bookies in the last few days. In short, the by-election is set to be close and every vote really does matter.
But the sudden spotlight in Stoke and the constant leaflets through the door might not be enough to convince your to head out to your local polling station if you feel cut off from mainstream politics. What if you don’t like any of the candidates on offer — or feel like you can’t trust the promises they make — does your vote still matter?
Yes. And this is why.
Your vote matters because without your voice, things in the city will never get better. If people in Stoke-on-Trent don’t vote, there’s a real chance that the policies thought up by central government will benefit other towns and cities, whilst neglecting the Potteries. Even if the candidate your support doesn’t win, a vote tells politicians that you really do care about your city — and that they should too.
Your vote matters because if you take part in the by-election, you can hold your MP to account and challenge them if they don’t live up to their promises. One common perception I’ve heard from people across the city is that politicians often lie and mislead their constituents — which absolutely shouldn’t be part of how our democracy works. If you buy something from a shop and you get home to find something different in the box, you can take it back and complain. Voting works a little like this. If you elect an MP and they fail to deliver their pledges, you can complain and push for change — getting involved in the process of voting to start with is what gives you the power to do so.
Your vote matters because if you don’t vote, you could end up with an MP who doesn’t represent your interests. Sometimes, a single vote can change the outcome of an election — and you can amplify your message by convincing your friends and families that their votes matter too. You really do have the power to make a change to the status quo — and even if you don’t believe in the system, it’s worth giving it a shot before you discount it entirely.
Your vote matters because you matter. Whether you’re a doctor, a teacher, a plumber, a bus driver, or someone who works in a call centre, you have a part to play in society, and it’s only fair that you have a part to play in how decisions that affect your life, and the lives of those around you are made. Britain only works because we are bound by shared values and diverse ideas. People who try to convince you that your voice is too small to make a difference are wrong. People who try to convince you that you don’t deserve to have a say are wrong. People who try to convince you that voting is just a big waste of time are wrong.
Even if you’ve never voted in your life, this is your chance to change that — get out and send a message to Westminster, that real people in cities like Stoke-on-Trent won’t be ignored any longer.
