President’s Column

THIS WEEK I have decided to talk (OK, type) about the upcoming European and local elections on  4th June, not because I have nothing more interesting in my life (honest), but because they are very important.

Regardless of whether you are pro- or anti-European you should be aware that the EU Parliament increasingly sets EU-wide policy on important issues such as trade, the environment and civil liberties.

Even if you do not care about what kind of person represents you in Europe, the elections are very important on the domestic front as well. Local and EU elections are used as referenda to gauge the popularity of political parties; if a party does particularly badly they might change their leader, and if they do well they capitalise on it to increase their political momentum. It is an excellent chance to express your thoughts on who should run/keep running the country.

If you vote, it also makes my job easier. I am often lobbying politicians with your concerns and issues, and whilst they normally listen, they listen harder to pensioners. Why? Because more pensioners vote than students. If more students voted, the government (and opposition parties) will care more about our concerns.

It may seem facetious (my word of the week) but democracy is kind of a big deal. People have fought very long and hard to give you the ability to vote and the least we can do is honour their work by using this right when ever we have the opportunity. Remember, if you dislike all the options on a ballot paper you can always use it to compose an amusing limerick!

To register to vote (and make me very happy), go to www.aboutmyvote.co.uk
The deadline is 19th May so don’t delay! Don’t forget to vote on 4th June either.