Get out the Vote!
Our previous blogs over the last few weeks have spoken about unclear plans, missed opportunities and failures to effectively communicate ideas. This blog links this theme but with a different focus: the UK general election.
Two weeks ago, Rishi Sunak announced a General Election for the 4th July. At this election, the British electorate will vote for a government that could potential be in power for the next five years, making key decisions on higher education as well as other policy areas.
This blog sets out the process for registering to vote and encourages all members to vote. If you are not registered, please make sure you do so by the end of Tuesday 18th June, using the government’s website.
It is well documented that University students are traditionally less likely to vote than other groups in society but, given the timing of this election, could boost the ‘student effect’, as many will be registered to vote at their parents address. It is imperative that as many people vote in this election as possible. Students are able to register to vote using either their home (normally parents’ or carers’) address or their term-time address (if residing there over the summer).
If you do decide to vote in person, polling stations will be open from 7am to 10pm, and you can find your closet station here two weeks before polling day. In order to vote you need to be in the queue by 10pm; also remember you now need some form of ID. The accepted list of documents can be found here, or you can apply for a free voter ID certificate here. The deadline for applying for this is Wednesday 26th June.
If you can’t attend polling station on polling day, don’t worry – you can register for a postal ballot online (a physical application form is also available using the same link), but need to do so by Wednesday 19th June.
Whether you vote in person on July 4th, or by post in advance, please do vote in this election!
While there is no sign yet of political party’s manifestos, national UCU will shortly be launching their own manifesto here. We should say at the time of writing our local branch has not been asked to contribute to this, though we are still available if anyone wishes to contact us.