GO VOTE!

This summer seems to be getting even more contentious, with both Brexit and Coxit on the cards; it suggests that our voice has never meant more.

The common point in all of this is that the public are being asked for their vote to decide huge political questions. Whether it’s for local councillors, county wide Police and Crime Commissioners, or over our EU membership – so much responsibility has been weighted onto the public conscience.

It just requires us to go out and vote. In reality, I wish it was as easy as this. However, we all know that voter turnout is dropping, creating not only an ethical and philosophical questions over the right to govern, but also leaving us with electoral cycles that only cater to consistent voters.

This in my mind creates a big deficit in our political system, and with fewer people actually voting, does it mean that our political system is defunct?

Are people apathetic because politics doesn’t represent them? Or, does politics fail to represent the community, because fewer people vote? And should we make major decisions based on such low turnouts? I don’t have the answers, but I do see the need for people to turn up and vote.

As a county councillor I understand the power of the vote, when I raise my hand I am voting for what I think is best for residents, so keeping informed and up-to-date with issues is key. However, for many families up and down the country that isn’t an option, often people rely on social media, the press, or television to tell them what is happening – and this can have the opposite effect with people being pulled further away from the ballot box. Polling day belongs to all of us. As residents of the county it is an opportunity to shape how our community works and to send a clear message of what we would want to see. This week you will get the chance to have your voice heard, loud and clear. Please, vote.

Lesley Williams

Labour group leader

Gloucestershire County Council