FOR:
The release of NewsnightÔÇÖs latest interview showed the intense battle between of Russell Brand and Jeremy Paxman, and with it came a renewed interest in voting. Within the eight minute video Brand proudly makes the grand statement that he has, and will, never vote. A refreshing voice many people feel, but BrandÔÇÖs disregard for voting is damaging for his wish to change politics.
This generation of students have the necessity to vote now more than ever before. With what seems new weekly damaging news on the state of British politics, the most effective way for individuals to advocate their desire for change is to participate in voting. Too many students use the age old excuse that their vote will make no difference to the election outcome ÔÇô which is simply not the case. Students are a ÔÇÿswing voteÔÇÖ ÔÇô a group that can single-handedly change the election outcome. This collective student vote is key to determining countless results, especially in council elections where dozens of seats have been decided as a direct result of increased student interest in voting. Your vote doesnÔÇÖt matter? Think again.
Politicians form the political and economic policies which will affect us, especially once you have finished your degree and are fully independent. These are the people that decide on the financial future of the UK. It is hypocritical when people scathingly attack the governmentÔÇÖs decisions (or lack of) and demand the need to change, but then refuse to vote. Surely if you do not want to help amend it, there is no backing for peopleÔÇÖs vocal criticism.
Even on a more personal impact level there is still a nonplus attitude of not bothering to actively show your preference. CardiffÔÇÖs election for Student Union Officers is incredibly important to everyone who studies at the university. They are our union ÔÇô the people that directly represent us and are responsible for the welfare of students, educational affairs and are involved with social issues within the city of Cardiff. Having the opportunity to pick the individuals that will passionately attempt to improve your student life should not be wasted. It doesnÔÇÖt make sense that any Cardiff student would be against voting to choose the people that will shape the unionÔÇÖs future policies.
The bloody history associated with the right to vote also darkens its past. The sacrifices made by countless activists, suffragettes and political speakers should not be dismissed. Many individuals in the past have endured too much for students to simply see voting as pointless or an inconvenience. It may sound clich├®d, but surely the least we as a group can do is to honour these past sacrifices by using this right to vote. These people recognised that voting can make change happen within communities and enhances the function of a government, a statement that still has resonance today.
Students should realise that being able to vote isnÔÇÖt just some expendable luxury that should be tossed to one side with a lack of interest. It is our right, privilege and responsibility to having the fortune to elect individuals to positions of power. Getting involved within the political system and being a part of citizen engagement is your right to expressing your opinion. By helping shape the social agenda, you can place people in positions of power that will attempt to make the changes you want to see. There are many worse ways to spend ten minutes than at a polling station ticking a box which will affect your community in the future.
Olivier van der bent Kelly
Against:
First off, I wish to make it plainly clear that by arguing against students voting, I do not wish to encourage political disengagement. It is of paramount importance that the youth of Britain are politically active and engaged. Paxman seemed shocked by BrandÔÇÖs admittance and promotion of the idea that people shouldnÔÇÖt bother voting at all. I do not┬á think Brand argues that people should not vote, he argues that people should not vote for people they do not want to. Brand seems to highlight the flaw in our current voting system. Simply put, our current voting system offers British people the choice between three parties: Conservative, Labour and Liberal Democrats. (There are others but they never really acquire enough votes to be taken seriously- a flaw highlighted by the current system). We are offered three manifestos full of the parties policies, promises and aims which they will try and carry out should the get voted in. As Brand highlights, for many, this means you examine these three parties and chose (or settle) for which one you like the most. This leaves a stagnant political offering that never changes and one that regurgitates the same policies, election after election.
What Brand truly advocates in the interview is change, through the form of a revolution. Whilst he may glaze over how, when or what this revolution may be, he argues that the starting point for change is to stop supporting the current corrupt and failing political system that governs Britain. For this to implemented, the general population would need to cease voting for the ÔÇÿbig threeÔÇÖ. Not voting does not necessarily equate to a lack of political interest and activity;┬á if anything it should take it in a new direction. Just this week, since the interview went viral on the web, there has been an ever growing Facebook group called ÔÇ£Russell Brand For Prime MinisterÔÇØ which is currently on 130 thousand likes. As well as the Facebook page, the YouTube video posted by the official BBC Newsnight YouTube channel has now gathered eight million views, as well as seventy six thousand likes. I think these numbers speak for themselves about the interest and attention that Brand has caught with the interview.
However, Facebook likes and YouTube views and mere attention is not going to cause political change. It is easy for people to become pseudo political activists behind a computer screen by merely clicking buttons. If the young were to stop voting, for it to have reason and any sort of impact it would have to be replaced by action. Whether it be contacting your local MPÔÇÖs to inform them you will not be voting, organising peaceful protests or trying to actively raise awareness on your decision not to vote and why. The main reason for young people to not vote is because it is often a case of them settling for second best through accepting and supporting a party that they do not necessarily like. Try not to vote for Labour just because you dislike the Tories. Just because they are the Conservative PartyÔÇÖs main opponents does not mean they offer better policies. Resist voting for the Liberal Democrats if you merely cannot decide whether you lean to the left or to the right. Demand change, fight for what you want and above all never settle for second best.
Zachary Hughes
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