Why you should vote today

In today’s political climate, it’s understandable that many people feel disheartened with the state of politics in the UK and the politicians representing us. Scandals, broken promises, and partisan bickering can make it seem as though the political system is failing. However, despite these frustrations, your act of voting today remains crucial.

Of course the act of voting is indelibly linked to the policies, ideology and personality of the politicians trying convince us to vote for them. But there’s also a wider resonance to the importance of your vote. The very act of casting your vote in itself, no matter who you’re voting for, is an act of consequence which we should perhaps spend more time thinking about.

We must remember the British contribution to democracy (and we don’t own the concept, but we’ve helped its formation more than most) is ground into our very historical DNA. Long before the Norman conquest of 1066, the Witan, or council of wise men, in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England advised the king and played a role in governance and decision-making, reflecting early forms of consultation and consent.

It’s that theme of consent which is at the heart of any representative democracy — and of today’s General Election.

It was the theme of consultation rather than dictation which forced Henry I to swear an oath on his coronation in 1100: to uphold the laws and to rule justly, marking a commitment to the principles of justice and governance that would influence the development of constitutional monarchy. This was a turning point for the Norman rulers to engage with the Anglo-Saxon tradition of principle where no individual, king or otherwise, is higher than the law and justice.

And it’s from the foundations and evolving theories which came out of the Coronation Oath and Anglo-Saxon tradition that the Magna Carta was born. The document, forced upon King John in 1215 by rebellious barons, established the principle that everyone, including the king, was subject to the law. It introduced ideas of due process and habeas corpus, laying the groundwork for modern democracy and the rule of law.

When a new cohort of MPs return to Westminster next week, we should remember that, for all its faults, this is the “Mother of Parliaments”. It has been pivotal in the development of representative democracy. Established in the 13th century, Westminster became a model for parliamentary systems worldwide.

A much-overlooked element in the evolution of our unwritten constitution is the Putney Debates in 1647. These debates among the victorious New Model Army of Parliament at the end of the English Civil War included a sizeable and highly vocal group called the Levellers. They were crucial in discussing the extent of suffrage and governance, highlighting early arguments for extending the vote to all men (not yet women), regardless of property ownership.

An indirect consequence of those debates, two centuries later, was the expansion of the franchise to all men and women in this country. The Reform Acts throughout the 19th century expanded the franchise from a small, property-owning elite to a broader section of society. The Suffragette movement, led by figures like Emmeline Pankhurst, fought tirelessly for women’s right to vote, which was partially granted in 1918 and fully in 1928. The act of voting honours the historical struggle for and achievement of universal suffrage.

After World War II, Europe saw a strong push for democratic governance, with the defeat of fascist regimes in Germany and Italy and the establishment of democratic institutions in their place. That democratic momentum started in the UK.

During the Cold War, the ideological battle between democratic nations and totalitarian regimes, particularly those in Moscow (Soviet Union) and Beijing (People’s Republic of China), underscored the importance of democratic participation. Voting became a symbolic and practical means of opposing authoritarianism and asserting democratic values.

That symbolism stands today every bit as much as it did in the latter half of the 20th century. If anything, more so: the struggle against totalitarian regimes is still inspired by movements for democracy worldwide.

So, while it’s easy to feel disillusioned with the current state of politics and the politicians representing us, the act of voting remains the most positive political act anyone can do. Voting is a powerful statement, felt around the world, in support of democracy and liberalism, principles that are among the most cherished gifts from our forefathers and the most important legacy we can pass to our children. By voting, we honour the historical struggles for voting rights, protect democratic principles, influence critical policies, ensure representation, hold leaders accountable, and shape a better future.

Voting is an act of defiance against dictators like Vladimir Putin, Xi Jinping, Kim Jong-un, and others who wish to suppress our freedoms. Your vote is about so much more than your choice about the government for the next five years. It’s greater than Rishi Sunak or Sir Keir Starmer. It’s more important than the Conservative, Labour, Lib Dem, or Reform parties. It’s above Scottish Independence or Brexit. Your vote is an act which reaches into the very belly of what is best about this country and what it stands for. It’s an act of historical and geopolitical importance. It’s a statement of commitment to the values of democracy and freedom, which we must uphold and cherish for future generations.

Your vote is a privilege, a right and a responsibility. It’s a fantastic and marvellous thing — the greatest of human endeavours and creations.

So no matter your political position, persuasion, ideology, viewpoint or issue: whatever you do today, please vote.

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