How 2 handle election apathy

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So we’re barely into the election campaign and most of us are probably sick of all the fuss already... a plethora of election ads through the post, campaigning dominating the newspapers and websites, and non-stop politics on the radio.

Yet many in our demographic are largely apathetic towards politics. There’s a wariness of Westminster and all its goings on. Why?

Well, it’s apparent that politicians have a habit of disappointing us. They get on stage and promise all kinds of things, only to fulfil some of them a few years down the road. Other promises remain forgotten or revised to such an extent that the original policy seems unrecognisable and we vow to never believe X ever again.

People feel duped and don’t want to be taken for granted by politicians. My window cleaner has vowed not to vote altogether. But is that the answer?

The expenses scandal certainly hasn’t helped to boost the public’s perception of politicians, but if we just give up all hope and say there’s no point, then we really will get the government we deserve.

It’s time to get involved. Even if it that just means bothering to read some manifestos online and actually going out to vote on 6 May. For those of you who are parents, it also means you’re setting an example of civic responsibility to your children, and is an opportunity to engage them in political involvement.

You may think that your vote won’t make a difference, as we don’t have PR (proportional representation) in the UK. But dissenters encouraging people not to vote can’t exactly be called progress for democracy, can it?

To find out about the different ways you can vote, visit this website. You can even watch an animated film that walks you through the process of going to a polling station to vote. Voting is easy. It’s your right. So you might as well use it!