| This article will not make a pitch to earn your | | | | similar to this. I may not always agree with |
| vote. My own voting preference is for the Labour | | | | internal decisions by party colleagues but agree in |
| party. The decision to do so came from lots of | | | | the overall aims we hold together. How we move |
| research including discussions with friends, family | | | | towards these aims are shaped by debate, |
| and reading of websites and reference books. I | | | | disagreement and ultimately compromise. Rather |
| even had a meeting with someone from another | | | | than not voting, choose the party who best |
| party and nearly joined it before deciding my | | | | represents the most of what you would like to |
| overall values and concerns were best met by | | | | achieve and who offer the policies that benefit |
| the Labour party. For you it may be different and | | | | you the most. |
| of course it is your own decision, you just need | | | | In choosing which political party to vote for any |
| to do similar work to find out which party is right | | | | reason to choose one party over another is a |
| for you. | | | | valid one for you, but try not to be superficial. |
| Because all of the main parties are towards the | | | | Rather than thinking "I hate David Cameron" or "I |
| centre of the political spectrum there is not much | | | | hate Labour" look beyond first impressions and |
| to choose between them. There are some | | | | think about what they are saying and make |
| fundamental differences between each party and | | | | informed decisions. Read the newspapers but |
| these are the big issues you should look at first | | | | remember they each paper normally supports a |
| before deciding who to vote for. | | | | specific party so read widely and make up your |
| If you are unsure on who to vote for do not | | | | own mind. |
| despair. Floating voters decide the elections and | | | | The most important thing is to go and vote on |
| there are many voters who are never totally | | | | Election Day. Democracy is something we take |
| sure even when they vote that they are making | | | | for granted in the west but in places like |
| the right choice. The more research you do the | | | | Afghanistan and Iraq democracy is something our |
| better for finding the right party for you and the | | | | own troops are fighting for everyday. Use your |
| less likely you are to be uncertain when you | | | | vote and have your say in who runs our country. |
| actually vote. Remember that voting for a party | | | | Every vote counts and it may seem a very small |
| is like working for a company. You may disagree | | | | vote within the millions cast but collectively if |
| with some of the smaller decisions or policies but | | | | everybody voted we would get a true |
| believe overall in the goals of the company. If you | | | | democratic decision. Unfortunately people choose |
| find you disagree with too many things you look | | | | not to vote, but I advocate having your say and |
| to change companies. | | | | taking the time to properly make a decision. This |
| Your relationship with your political party should be | | | | is a good example to set. |