WHO I VOTE FOR AND WHY
With the general election approaching tomorrow, I wanted to write a blog post which covers who I’m going to be voting for and why. I’ve had a lot of requests to talk about this, but I’m aware that politics is a touchy subject and I hate to offend or upset anyone. But at the same time, politics is so important to me, having grown up with a really political family and also studying politics for my degree, this is my time to shine haha!
Disclaimer: this blog post is in no way telling you or forcing you to vote in a certain way. You need to make your own mind up. But this is just a warning that this blog post contains my opinion, and it’s a pretty strong one. I don’t care for your opinion on my opinion - this is what I believe and if you want to know who and why I vote, then read on. If you are looking to criticise then it’s best if you take yourself elsewhere.
VOTING FOR A LABOUR GOVERNMENT
For this election, I will be voting for Labour. I’ve voted for Labour ever since I was old enough to vote, and although my reasons have changed over the years, I’ve always felt that this was the right way for me to vote.
Firstly, I was taught by my parents something that I’ve applied to the way I vote every time, and that is summed up by this quote:
“When you are not doing so well, vote for a better life for yourself. When you are doing well, vote for a better life for others.”
This is so important to me, as it really sums up how I personally feel people should look at voting. I think it’s important to consider how many disadvantaged and vulnerable people out there who need support, especially when you are fortunate enough to live a good life yourself.
I am fortunate and lucky enough to have been born into a family and a life where I am comfortable. I had a happy childhood, I never went hungry, I never witnessed any abuse or violence, I had a good state education and therefore have good prospects and a bright future - I have a very blessed life. As a result, I want to help those who were not so fortunate to have been born into a family and a life like I was. So many people, through no fault of their own, go hungry, they are homeless, they live through violence and abuse, they are surrounded by alcohol and drug abuse, they don’t receive a proper education, they don’t receive the mental health support they need, they are on minimum wage trying to feed their families, they are disabled without access to support, and therefore get stuck in the a horrible cycle which is seemingly impossible to escape unless they have the proper support they need.
This is why I vote for Labour, as it is the only party that I believe has the desire to help and support people who lead such difficult lives. You only have to watch the film, ‘I, Daniel Blake’ to understand the desperate situations some people have to live in. If I can do anything to support people who have to live like this then I will. If it means I have to pay more taxes for this to happen then so be it. I’d happily pay more tax than have people die from the lack of support they are currently getting under the Conservatives.
When I was at University, I interned for Jeremy Corbyn for 4 weeks. Whilst I worked for him, I worked on the correspondence unit, where I read hundreds of emails, and letters from people desperate for help, reaching out to Corbyn. It broke my heart and it made me realise the sheer number of people out there who are in desperate need of support and help. In my opinion, only a Labour government will do something to help people in need.
Along side this - I know a lot of people have issues with Jeremy Corbyn. I honestly cannot understand this. I think this is people who desperately want Labour, but who are afraid of someone as progressive and honest as Corbyn and I honestly cannot understand it at all. He has an incredibly busy schedule but he still took time out to talk to me, to see how I am, what I wanted to do with my future etc. He is the epitome of a kind, honest and good hearted man and I honesty cannot think of a better person to lead the country. Everybody complains that you can’t trust politicians, here is a politician you can absolutely trust, with so much integrity, that has a heart of absolute gold and will never ever be like the childish and dishonest politicians we see so often.
My next most important point is about the NHS. I can’t stress enough how much I am desperate to protect the NHS at all costs. Labour created the NHS under Attlee, and Labour are the only party that will protect it properly. The Tories have already started to privatise the NHS, selling off parts of it to private companies. The NHS is crumbling before our eyes, think about how long it takes you to get a GP appointment, how long it takes to wait in A&E, etc. There are not enough nurses and doctors to go round. This is NOT the NHS’ fault. It is the Tories fault. The NHS is understaffed, underpaid and under so much pressure it just cant keep up without the funding it so deserves. I don't think people realise how awful it would be to not have the NHS. In America, people get taxi’s to the hospital because an ambulance is too expensive. Imagine not being able to afford the care you need to keep you alive. People dying because they are too poor to pay for their healthcare… this never happens in the UK and it’s something I am so unbelievably proud of.
My mum has been having cancer treatment on the NHS for over five years now. If it wasn’t for the NHS, there is no way that my mum would be able to afford the treatment she has. Not only this, but whilst she’s been having some of her treatment, she had to give up work. Obviously with no income coming in, she claimed for benefits. The government paid her about £70 a week. Barely enough to live, let alone if you were a single parent, with mouths to feed, rent and bills to pay etc. Luckily, my dad worked and so we could afford to live. But, this is not the case for everyone. And this relates back to what I mentioned at the beginning - if I can support people in need, I will.
What kind of a country would we live in where you live or die depending on how much money you have and if you can afford your hospital bills? This is genuinely what it could come to if the Conservative’s stay in power. How would you feel to know that someone out there is profiting from your family member dying? It breaks my heart to even think about it.
Another important reason for my voting for Labour is the progressiveness of the party. When you compare the Conservative and Labour manifesto’s, the difference in the subjects they mention is immense. See below:
I also want to briefly cover Brexit. Labour’s plans are to put forward a deal to the EU, if accepted, we will have another referendum on this deal. This is so important as it gives us back the power to be involved in Brexit and the decision making. This is the only feasible way forward for Brexit. It is too late now to go back and change our mind about the whole thing (as much as I would like to), but you have to respect democracy and accept that the majority (albeit small) voted to leave. So, I agree with Jeremy Corbyn that the best way forward is to negotiate a good deal, and then put this deal back to the public, because who knows, I do wonder if those who originally voted for Brexit would still vote for it knowing what they now know.
This is not an exhaustive list of why I vote for Labour. But, it covers the key most important things that I consider when making my vote.
Overall, this election is very important. We have had almost a decade of Conservative government and it really is time for change. The thought of having a man who called women who wear burqa’s “letterboxes”, refers to black people as “picaninnies” and who said that the sight of “a bunch of black kids” makes him “turn a hair”. Boris Johnson is a racist, sinister man, who I would never ever trust to run this country.
Thanks for reading, please do go and vote in the general election tomorrow.
Some info about the election tomorrow (if voting in England, Scotland and Wales):
Polling stations are open from 7am to 10pm.
You can locate your polling station on www.wheredoivote.co.uk
You don’t need your polling card or ID to vote
If you didn’t send your postal vote back, you can take your postal vote to your polling station before close.