Rebecca Ford lives in the Suffolk Coastal constituency. Born in 1991, this is the first year that she is allowed to go in to a booth and put that big, black cross next to a candidates name. From September she will be studying Politics and Human Rights. This is what she thinks about voting for the first time.
On the 6th May I am going to be able to vote for the very first time; something that, as a politics student, I am both excited and horrified at. In a political system which I find unfair already I am horrified at the fact so many people blinded by the word ‘change’ are willing to disadvantage themselves and help the top 2% of wealthiest families become richer by voting Conservative. I do not want people to, without realising, vote for widening the gap between the rich and poor.
However, I am also very excited in that I have the opportunity – for the first time – to influence whether this happens or not. This is why I have also become involved in my schools ‘pretend general election’, because I think it is important that people from a young age are educated about policies of parties and not scandals or epic statements of ‘change’ and so called ‘traditional values’ which disregard the rights of many individuals living in the UK today.
I believe that it is the selfishness of politicians and society that results in the apparent ‘change’ which is needed today and therefore I do not think a hung parliament would necessarily be a bad result of this election. Perhaps everybody needs to learn to work together, for the good of others. I believe that this is the real change that is needed. This aside, I live in a constituency, which for years has been dominated by one party and so I do fear that my vote will be wasted. But through principle, I am going to vote for what I believe to be the right party for my constituency and my country and not succumb to popular opinion. I recently went to a local debate with my constituencies candidates and for me their was a clear winner. For this reason I am very excited about going to my town hall on the 6th May and undertaking the right of passage that is to vote! I hope my constituency makes the right decision, and choses Adam Leeder, a local lad who cares about helping others; just as I do.
Words: Rebecca Ford
Are you voting for the first time this year? Or are you abstaining from voting this year? Let Sleepy Orange know what you think about the election this year by emailing us at sleepyorange@hotmail.co.uk
