Many Politicians appear to be comfortable with low or even static turnouts just above the 50% mark. However, as in Birmingham Edgbaston with 60% turnout in 2010, where the current MP won the seat by some 1300 votes, one comes to the realisation that 40% of the 69000 electorate did not vote.
You may ask what is the impact of this:
General Election 2010
Electorate: 69,039
Turnout: 41,571 (60.6%) +3.3 Labour hold
Majority: 1,274 (3.1%) −3.1
Swing: 1.3% from Lab to Con
Gisela Stuart Labour 16,894
Deirdre Alden Conservative 15,620
Roger Harmer Liberal Democrat 6,387
Trevor Lloyd BNP 1,196
Stephen White UKIP 732
Phil Simpson Green 469
Harry Takhar Impact Party 146
Charith Fernando Christian 127
The above results clearly demonstrate that despite floating voter's, those who remain have a key role to play; should they be inspired by Politics or Local Candidates to go to the Polling Stations should they choose to connect on the local key issues that affect the local area and daily lives, of the constituents.
In reality we are talking about some 28000 potential voter's which, should candidates inspire them to vote could change the Political Landscape in Edgbaston. The same could be said for other areas also. Infact, a completely different Candidate could be elected without affecting the number of votes previously polled by other candidates. This surely would make a difference not only in approach,but, also the way in which candidates and those who are elected would engage with their electorate.
It's all to play for, however, the question is are the Political parties and their representatives prepared to leave their comfort zones in order to create the desperately needed greater engagement in the political system or is it easier to disregard the disaffected.
Marginals such as Edgbaston will sent the benchmark on the future direction of engagement into politics and civic life in Birmingham.
Desmond Jaddoo
28th March 2015
You may ask what is the impact of this:
General Election 2010
Electorate: 69,039
Turnout: 41,571 (60.6%) +3.3 Labour hold
Majority: 1,274 (3.1%) −3.1
Swing: 1.3% from Lab to Con
Gisela Stuart Labour 16,894
Deirdre Alden Conservative 15,620
Roger Harmer Liberal Democrat 6,387
Trevor Lloyd BNP 1,196
Stephen White UKIP 732
Phil Simpson Green 469
Harry Takhar Impact Party 146
Charith Fernando Christian 127
The above results clearly demonstrate that despite floating voter's, those who remain have a key role to play; should they be inspired by Politics or Local Candidates to go to the Polling Stations should they choose to connect on the local key issues that affect the local area and daily lives, of the constituents.
In reality we are talking about some 28000 potential voter's which, should candidates inspire them to vote could change the Political Landscape in Edgbaston. The same could be said for other areas also. Infact, a completely different Candidate could be elected without affecting the number of votes previously polled by other candidates. This surely would make a difference not only in approach,but, also the way in which candidates and those who are elected would engage with their electorate.
It's all to play for, however, the question is are the Political parties and their representatives prepared to leave their comfort zones in order to create the desperately needed greater engagement in the political system or is it easier to disregard the disaffected.
Marginals such as Edgbaston will sent the benchmark on the future direction of engagement into politics and civic life in Birmingham.
Desmond Jaddoo
28th March 2015