I am continually reading reports that young people are most unlikely to vote in the coming election. That is understandable but is very sad. Most adults are dismissive of young people, expecting them to do as they are told and to hold the same opinions as their parents. In addition, it is usual for young people to ignore politics as they are far more involved in doing what young people do. I know that when I was a teenager I had no interest in politics, I voted, but simply voted as my parents did.
I do find, however, that young people are more engaged today than when I was young. Various factors are resonsible for this, unemployment, the introduction of tuition fees, terrorism etc. What appears to be happening is that this is not being translated into a decision to cast a vote. An overwhelming reason for this seems to be the appalling state of British politics and the tragedy that is the choice being offered to young people in the personnel that they are presented with. How can any young person be motivated by Cameron, Miliband, Farage etc.? One caveat to this scenario is the effects of the Scottish referendum that was a definite motivator as it gave young people's vote a definite focus with a discernible outcome; whether they were for or against independence they knew that their vote mattered and would produce a result they could identify with. In addition, they were given a choice by people they could identify with and who looked real.
Everyone who can, should vote. Why?
People who are active in politics are by definition more extreme in their views and opinions than other people. In addition, people who are activists will always vote. Actual votes cast at elections are the only real signals that politicians get from society. Polls and articles by commentators and the chattering classes may point to trends and possibilities, but it is votes cast by real people that signals the political reality. As a result if ordinary people fail to cast a vote, and particularly younger ordinary people, then the only signals that the elected politicians will get will be from the activists, which is actually a distortion of political reality, but becomes the dominant political reality. I remind you, that the impetus behind the recent Scottish Independence referendum was a reaction by Scots people against what they saw as a genuine distorted political reality as it affected Scotland. Now, one of the dangerous trends in modern British politics is the ever shrinking number of people actually casting a vote. To repeat, activists always vote and so as the number of people actually voting continues to decrease, then the influence of the activists, and therefore the extremists, grows. That is why modern public policy becomes increasingly extreme and disgusting to the ordinary voter who responds by retreating from political participation and telling the political class, a plague on all your houses.
It is quite acceptable to vote against something. If you disagree with something, such as tuition fees, then vote against it by sending the signal to the political class that you will not support a candidate from whatever party who supports the measure you are opposed to. You don't need to be for something, you can be legitimately against something. Whatever your reason for voting, it will dilute the effect of the activist vote and will lead to a more balanced approach to public policy. Make no mistake, the Westminster parties would prefer you not to vote if you are not voting for them. Don't fall for this. Make a decision on who or what you are for or against and vote accordingly. That is democracy and the bedrock of a civilised society. It is your right, don't let other people deny you that right. You have been warned.
Your Servant
Doktor Kommirat
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