Editor's Comment: 'Don't let the minority have their say on who controls Wakefield - use your vote'

In this week's comment, editor Gavin Murray warns of the dangers of failing to use your vote during this crucial time.
By Gavin Murray
Published 6th May 2021, 16:31 BST
Updated 6th May 2021, 16:41 BST
In this week's comment, editor Gavin Murray warns of the dangers of failing to use your vote during this crucial time.In this week's comment, editor Gavin Murray warns of the dangers of failing to use your vote during this crucial time.
In this week's comment, editor Gavin Murray warns of the dangers of failing to use your vote during this crucial time.

THERE IS a real danger to democracy in Wakefield It is the apathetic voter.

At the last council election turnout was about a quarter.

So that means around 75 per cent of people have not had a say on who controls the power and who is allowed to call themselves elected.

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Only around a quarter of people in Wakefield voted in the last local elections - meaning that the majority of people did not have a say on who runs the district's council.Only around a quarter of people in Wakefield voted in the last local elections - meaning that the majority of people did not have a say on who runs the district's council.
Only around a quarter of people in Wakefield voted in the last local elections - meaning that the majority of people did not have a say on who runs the district's council.

Wakefield local elections 2021 overview: Why the polls are important and why your vote matters

If the other 75 per cent who didn’t vote, for whatever reason, did decide to head to the ballot box perhaps many elected members would not be.

It is worrying that so few of you are actually having a say on who runs and makes decisions about the place you live.

It is the minority – is that democratic?

Slightly more of you turned out for the general election.

And if you don’t think the local election is important or your vote will not make a difference then let other people choose what happens to you.

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It is not really healthy for democracy having such low turnouts at such a crucial time.

Maybe voters should be forced to go the polls?

However there is something you can do about this hidden danger.

Use your vote.

Related topics:Gavin MurrayWakefield

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