It was a beautiful day in early summer when a red-haired woman from a comfortable, middle class background threw herself under the King’s horse. As hundreds of horrified spectators looked on, the suffragette Emily Davison made the ultimate political sacrifice. She died four days later after never regaining consciousness.
Fast-forward 101 years and it is hard to imagine someone believing so much in their right to vote that they would be willing to die for it. In fact, according to the latest YouGov poll, almost 60 per cent of Brits aged between 17 and 21 won’t bother voting in the next election. The number is even lower for this week’s European elections: just 30 per cent said they will cast their ballots. A similar figure is expected for the local elections held on the same day.
Many in Westminster believe there is a generation of people who are switched off and apathetic about politics. But I refuse to accept that. Just look at the number of people who sent bricks, blood and even faeces to a UKIP freepost address. You can raise you eyebrows at whether this is the most mature form of political protest, but it does show that people do have an opinion.
The number of people who sent bricks, blood and even faeces to a UKIP freepost address shows that people do have an opinion
Activism is also moving online. The#Bringbackourgirls campaign for the kidnapping of the Nigerian schoolgirls not only attracted celebrity support from everyone from Michelle Obama to Alexa Chung, but hundreds of thousands of ordinary people got involved too. So why is it that young people who are politically engaged aren’t turning up to the ballot box?
I believe there is one simple reason for this: a suspicion that politicians are all the same. It’s difficult to work up much enthusiasm about exercising your democratic right when the brutal truth is, you don’t think it will make much difference whether the top job goes to one wealthy man in a suit who hasn’t had a job outside Westminster or another.
The reality couldn’t be more different. Do you care about climate change? Have a view on whether the free movement of people across Europe is vital for our economy or putting pressure on public services? Or how about answering the age-old question of whether a Jaffa Cake is a biscuit or a cake? Then you should vote in the European elections.
Jobs will be one of the key issues. Are the Lib Dems right in arguing that the free movement of people creates jobs or should you believe UKIP who say it is taking work away from those who are British born? Between the end of 1996 and the end of 2012, the number of European nationals employed in the UK rose by 1.03 million – just short of the 1.1 million increase in employment. But on the flipside, immigrants are more likely to be of working age and more likely to pay taxes. According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, the overall effect of immigration is that the British Government’s deficit is at least £7 billion smaller a year than it would otherwise be.
Are the Lib Dems right in arguing that the free movement of people creates jobs or should you believe UKIP who say it is taking work away from those who are British born?
Britain’s membership of the EU also has a big effect on that crucial work/life balance. The Working Time Directive controls everything from the amount of hours a week you can work (48) to how much holiday you can take. Conservatives believe it’s uncompetitive and illiberal and want out, with one think-tank estimating that it costs the UK economy £4 billion a year. For others that’s a price worth paying for a crucial protection of workers’ rights.
Britain is at a crossroads in our relationship with the EU and it’s never been more important to vote. UKIP’s position is simple: they want out. The Lib Dems want in. David Cameron has promised a referendum if he wins the next election and wants Britain to stay in the EU but with reforms. Meanwhile, Ed Miliband says he will support a referendum but only if there is a further transfer of powers from Britain to Europe.
The local elections on the same day are all about the issues that may not be sexy, but are important. Frustrated by the mind-boggling rules on bin collections? Damaged your car’s suspension driving over a pothole? This is your chance to send a clear message to the councillors who can make a difference.
Incredibly, there is no official source of information about your local candidates but in the era of Google it's easy to do your research. And it's well worth doing because thanks to low turnouts your vote really does count.
In the last local election in Great Yarmouth, in 2010, two candidates TIED. The returning officer produced a pack of cards and said the winner would be the candidate who drew the highest number, as election rules allow. The Conservative candidate drew a three before his Labour rival picked a seven – showing every door knock is crucial.
The local elections will also have a huge impact on the General Election next year. Not only will they set the mood music for the campaign but will give the parties the tools they need to win (or lose.) The councillors who gain seats on Thursday will be the party footsoldiers – knocking on doors, delivering leaflets, pounding the pavements. The Lib Dems would never have hung on to Chris Huhne’s old seat of Eastleigh after he stood down in disgrace without the local council stuffed full of their activists.
Looking ahead to the next General Election, Sky News will be launching a campaign this September to get more young people involved in the democratic process, and ultimately hope to see a rise in the number of young people registering to vote. Because while voting may not pimp your Instagram profile like a heavily filtered selfie hashtagged with the latest campaign – it’s still the most effective form of political activism that we have.
Sophy Ridge is Political Correspondent for Sky News. Follow her on Twitter @SophyRidgeSky
This article originally appeared on The Debrief.