Here in the United Kingdom we have just undergone our local elections. These also included the election for the new Lord Mayor of London. When I went to vote there had been few people at the local polling station and the people in attendance were not expecting a very busy day. One of the things that a true democracy does embrace is the feeling that we live in a free country. A country where we can influence change, can make our voice heard, can make a stand against something that does not accord with our wishes.
In past years this is something that many countries around the world have managed to attain. One remembers the people who risked their lives to vote in elections in less freely democratic countries. Countries that had fought for the right for a free vote. It is quite humbling when one discovers that only around 30% of the people in the United Kingdom bothered to cast their vote – or to put this a different way more people watch a soap opera.
I well remember being in Bolivia, South America when they had a national vote. Firstly, everyone was expected to vote. Secondly, the only people who were allowed to travel were people who were being helped to the polling station because they could not otherwise attend (people who were infirm), or people who were on pre-agreed public business. Anyone else who was travelling could be arrested and their vehicles impounded. Something that the national news reported – so by 9.00am more than 600 people had been stopped by the police in the main city of La Paz. The picture shows one of the polling stations which was busy all day. Whether we agree or disagree they took their voting seriously, and you could get an ice cream!
Now this got me thinking about the nature of people who complain about what our National and local government is doing. Most people seem to have an opinion but, and this is a challenging BUT, if you have not voted what right do you have to complain as you have done nothing to make your voice heard, to make your opinion official?
Too often it is easy to be a critical bystander rather than active in passing an opinion. So a question – where have you been casting an opinion in an area of your life, work or home, without casting your ‘vote’?
A question that made me feel a little uncomfortable. Next time before I pass a judgement I need to consider if I have made my voice count…..will you?
I do hope so rather than join the band of the critical bystanders.
My best wishes,
Peter
