The clock is ticking and the countdown is on. With the General Election only a day away, thousands will be weighing up their options as they get ready to head to polling stations up and down the country. In a world of information overload, if you’re still not sure who to vote for; Audacity is here to help.
Read each party’s manifesto
Before a General Election, each party releases a manifesto. This is a publication issued by each political party containing a set of policies that the party stands for and would seek to implement if elected to govern the country. This is usually a good place to start. As you research each manifesto you should find yourself aligned to a party that has a similar outlook on the world as you, in terms of your priorities, interests and visions for the future.
Research past results in your area
Some voters will look to vote tactically, often as a way to remove an unwanted local MP. If you wish to take this approach, it’s important to research the past voting record in your area, allowing you to see which vote will have the most impact.
Look into your local candidate
Each party generally has a candidate in each constituency. If elected this candidate will become the MP for your area. Their job will be to represent your interests and concerns in the House of Commons. MPs consider and can also propose new laws, as well as raising issues that matter to you in the House. It is important, therefore, that you feel the candidate you vote for will actively represent you if needed. In this instance, you can research your local candidates past voting record to see if their values align with your own, helping you to make a fully informed decision, before heading to the polling station.
If all else fails, remember this timely piece of advice that is passing around social media as of late: “voting isn’t marriage – it’s public transport. You are not waiting for ‘the one’ who is absolutely perfect. You are getting the bus. And if there isn’t one going exactly to your destination, you don’t stay home and sulk – you take the one going closest to where you want to be.”
