Today is the day of the European Parliament Elections across the EU, and if you're in the UK (England & Norther Ireland) it's also the day of your local council elections.
To vote is a democratic right, and one that should not be squandered. We are lucky to live in a country (and under a supranational political entity) which acknowledges and upholds our right to vote. Some are not so lucky.
But on the flip side, to vote is a democratic duty as citizens. Our institutions cannot function legitimately if the people they represent do not have much of a say in their composition. At the last European Parliament election in 2009, turnout across the continent was a mere 43% (x). That means that less than half of the people who live under the rules and regulations of the EU actually had a say in the composition of the legislative body that makes those rules and regulations, and that is clearly a problem. It means that those of us who have not voted are represented by officials we may not have wanted representing us. That is a democratic deficit if ever I saw one.
The UK, we all know, has never been the biggest Europe Fangirl, if you will. Thus it should come as no surprise that in the 2009 EP elections, voter turnout in this country was only 34.7% (x). Who cares, right? Who cares what Europe does? The UK hates Europe. We want a referendum anyway, we want out. Screw Europe and their elections, right?
No. It is hugely important. There is some controversy around the amount of legislation that originates in Brussels. UKIP says 70%, the Liberal Democrats 7%. The figure is more likely 14% (x|x). But the quantity of legislation from Europe, large or small, is somewhat irrelevant. The fact that any legislation comes from Europe, from an elected assembly, means that it is imperative as many people as possible have a say in the election representatives who make that legislation.
Poor voter turnout and political apathy are just as much enemies of democracy as the harsh fist of a totalitarian regime, if only covert ones.
Perhaps a little more crucially, it is especially important for those of us in the United Kingdom, at this time more than any other, to exercise our right and duty to vote. Without casting too much of a personal opinion on my urging, we are threatened at this time by an internal enemy. By UKIP, who would seek to remove us from a union that upholds our prosperity. Who would seek to repeal the legislation that upholds our fundamental human rights. Who would seek to disallow equality of marriage. Who would seek to uphold and further entrench existing racial and ethnic prejudices that are not only harmful to those who are discriminated against, but also to the very fabric of our society. They claim to speak for “English liberty”, but they misunderstand the concept entirely. English liberty is rooted in the notion of freedom, toleration and equality. Principles which are contrary to UKIP’s position. The only way that we can fight against this hateful party is to vote. To quote George Jean Nathan: “Bad officials are elected by good citizens who do not vote”.
Voting is our saving grace. Voting is the weapon the citizen wields against ignorance and despotism. As Abraham Lincoln once said: "Ballots are the rightful and peaceful successors to bullets". It is with a simple cross in a box that we can save ourselves from the likes of UKIP.
However, if you are a UKIP supporter, you can rightfully turn my arguments against me. "Vote for us", you might say, "to fight against the ignorance of the establishment and the mainstream parties". I wholeheartedly disagree, but you are entitled to that opinion. That is the somewhat frustrating beauty of democratic society.
The point is that whatever your inclination, you should vote. You should have your voice heard. It is your right, and it is your duty.
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