The 20th January 2015 is Democracy Day and marks the 750th anniversary of the first parliament of elected representatives at Westminster. The BBC is broadcasting a day of live events, discussions and debates about democracy.
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/30876658
It is a shocking fact that 9000 women in the UK do not vote. I have been surprised when some of my female friends say they don’t bother to vote. Emily Pankhurst leader of the British Suffragette Movement led a sustained and determined campaign to win the vote for women and so it is with great dismay to learn of this high number of women not choosing to exercise their democratic right to vote. I expect Pankhurst would be turning in her grave if she knew her efforts had been partly in vain. And 100 years ago Emily Davison jumped in front of King George v’s horse at Epsom Derby because she believed so strongly in the cause.
And so on this basis it makes me feel quite angry when I hear that some women can’t be bothered to vote. Of course it is their choice. Voting is not compulsory but they are doing the campaigners of the past a massive disservice by not voting. Many tell me ‘what’s the point? Every party is the same. They all a load of rubbish.’ If some women feel like this then it is time to change things. Stand as a local councillor. Start a campaign on an issue you want to change. Our institutions need to be represented by both sexes. The voice of both sexes needs to be heard.