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Local elections: Ten reasons to vote Local elections: Ten reasons to vote
(about 9 hours later)
Some people always vote. Others actively choose not to. But if you're one of those yet to decide, here are some reasons why you might want to have your say.Some people always vote. Others actively choose not to. But if you're one of those yet to decide, here are some reasons why you might want to have your say.
1) It's free. How often in these days of paid-for TV polls - like X-Factor, Strictly and Britain's Got Talent - do people get to have their say gratis? The polling station is a nice, ambient setting to make decisions in peace too, without all that music and dancing.1) It's free. How often in these days of paid-for TV polls - like X-Factor, Strictly and Britain's Got Talent - do people get to have their say gratis? The polling station is a nice, ambient setting to make decisions in peace too, without all that music and dancing.
2) It affects where you live. Westminster and European elections can feel a little remote. They may get almost all the national news headlines, but councils are where it's happening in your locality. They usually run schools, libraries, street cleaning, leisure centres, the bins: in fact, many of the services you need, love and maybe despair of.2) It affects where you live. Westminster and European elections can feel a little remote. They may get almost all the national news headlines, but councils are where it's happening in your locality. They usually run schools, libraries, street cleaning, leisure centres, the bins: in fact, many of the services you need, love and maybe despair of.
3) Councillors are important. In most places you will get three votes, to select three councillors. If you have time, try and understand the qualities each candidate brings. They, rather than MPs, will be the people you get in touch with if you want to improve your lives over the next few years. And they may have a crucial say over whether planned developments take place down your road. 3) Councillors are important. In some places you will have as many as three votes, to select three councillors. If you have time, try and understand the qualities each candidate brings. They, rather than MPs, will be the people you get in touch with if you want to improve your lives over the next few years. And they may have a crucial say over whether planned developments take place down your road.
4) Loadsa-your-money is at stake. Councils account for a whopping one quarter of public spending. This equates to billions of pounds. Even divided area-by-area, this is a fortune. Would you give away 25% of your hard-earned cash and not ask any questions - especially in these straitened times?4) Loadsa-your-money is at stake. Councils account for a whopping one quarter of public spending. This equates to billions of pounds. Even divided area-by-area, this is a fortune. Would you give away 25% of your hard-earned cash and not ask any questions - especially in these straitened times?
5) It gives you the right to moan. It might sound flippant, but what gives you the ability to criticise the "powers that be" with any authority if you didn't do your bit to help choose them.5) It gives you the right to moan. It might sound flippant, but what gives you the ability to criticise the "powers that be" with any authority if you didn't do your bit to help choose them.
6) Voting can be fun. Polling stations are not dour or dull. The staff are usually very pleased to see you and will give you a cheery smile as you make your way to the booth. They will help with any problems or concerns, so don't worry.6) Voting can be fun. Polling stations are not dour or dull. The staff are usually very pleased to see you and will give you a cheery smile as you make your way to the booth. They will help with any problems or concerns, so don't worry.
7) It's anonymous. The candidate and party you choose are not made public. You can pick any and you don't have to tell. It's your secret. Even if you don't want to vote for any of those standing, you can make your point by going along and "spoiling" your ballot paper.7) It's anonymous. The candidate and party you choose are not made public. You can pick any and you don't have to tell. It's your secret. Even if you don't want to vote for any of those standing, you can make your point by going along and "spoiling" your ballot paper.
8) You could be helping the prime minister of the future. Who knows how far the political career of your chosen candidate will go? Westminster, Brussels, running the UN? Your vote could be a stepping stone in a political journey of epic proportions.8) You could be helping the prime minister of the future. Who knows how far the political career of your chosen candidate will go? Westminster, Brussels, running the UN? Your vote could be a stepping stone in a political journey of epic proportions.
9) It should turn out nice. The weather is set fair across England. Why not get in the car, take a stroll, hire a helicopter? If you've got young kids, take them along - it might be warm enough for an ice cream on the way - and for those working late, don't forget you've got until 10pm.9) It should turn out nice. The weather is set fair across England. Why not get in the car, take a stroll, hire a helicopter? If you've got young kids, take them along - it might be warm enough for an ice cream on the way - and for those working late, don't forget you've got until 10pm.
10) It doesn't happen often. Unlike some countries, we don't get a vote on every issue or even a vote every year. Many people around the world would love the chance to have the vote.10) It doesn't happen often. Unlike some countries, we don't get a vote on every issue or even a vote every year. Many people around the world would love the chance to have the vote.