Over the past 18 months, I have been working on voter registration in Birmingham, which has had an impact on an increase in figures.
The reports in today's Guardian makes interesting reading on where does the actual responsibility for low turnouts lay.
Disaffection is widespread with many people not being registered to vote and also of those registered, the majority don’t bother going to the polling station, when one examine turnout figure which at the last elections which was for the Police 7 crime Commissioner was 12.5%.
Many will say not many people are aware of elections, however, lets not build a smoke screen, turnout is low because people are becoming increasingly switched off with many Politicians that are out of touch with the people that they are supposedly serving.
There are some very good elected members locally and nationally, however, how many really remember how they get into office and the importance of the electorate. I can tell you this they remember 3 months prior to an election.
The recent comments in my opinion from the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, that his job was overpaid and basically not workable, in my view only seeks to fuel disaffection as the whole idea of democracy is to ensure transparency and accountability to the public, but, also to get on with the job that they have be elected to do.
This not only fuels disaffection, but also discourages new blood from the Communities of our City. People that have first hand experience of the issues of inequality, poverty, poor education, crime, health issues, unemployment to name a few.
The disconnection with young people is ever increasing as they feel that they are in a know your place society, where freedom of choice and expression is at a minimum.
Political parties only concern themselves with their own agenda and at times are also guilty of forgetting about the public.
The syndrome is a simple one Party first and who are the electorate? Remember parties feel safe with low turnouts as these are the faithfully that go out to vote come rain or shine.
The real shockwave will come when the people turnout on mass and send a strong message that enough is enough.
Indeed, I would submit that the current Politicians and Political parties by their own actions fuel disaffection that places a majority of the people of this country at a mass disadvantage when holding elected members to account.
The way forward is for new Independent faces to come forward and I do believe a strong message could be sent to the Political establishment that change is on the way.
This message as we go into 2014 is a simple one, we are not in a dictatorship, and we have a choice, its time for change. Let’s get people from our local communities that we can identify with to stand for office and let’s send a clear message that we are in control and we will not allow the establishment to continue fuelling disaffection with their oppressive tactics and policies.
Ask yourself one question who has the real power. Time to act.
Desmond Jaddoo
The reports in today's Guardian makes interesting reading on where does the actual responsibility for low turnouts lay.
Disaffection is widespread with many people not being registered to vote and also of those registered, the majority don’t bother going to the polling station, when one examine turnout figure which at the last elections which was for the Police 7 crime Commissioner was 12.5%.
Many will say not many people are aware of elections, however, lets not build a smoke screen, turnout is low because people are becoming increasingly switched off with many Politicians that are out of touch with the people that they are supposedly serving.
There are some very good elected members locally and nationally, however, how many really remember how they get into office and the importance of the electorate. I can tell you this they remember 3 months prior to an election.
The recent comments in my opinion from the West Midlands Police & Crime Commissioner, that his job was overpaid and basically not workable, in my view only seeks to fuel disaffection as the whole idea of democracy is to ensure transparency and accountability to the public, but, also to get on with the job that they have be elected to do.
This not only fuels disaffection, but also discourages new blood from the Communities of our City. People that have first hand experience of the issues of inequality, poverty, poor education, crime, health issues, unemployment to name a few.
The disconnection with young people is ever increasing as they feel that they are in a know your place society, where freedom of choice and expression is at a minimum.
Political parties only concern themselves with their own agenda and at times are also guilty of forgetting about the public.
The syndrome is a simple one Party first and who are the electorate? Remember parties feel safe with low turnouts as these are the faithfully that go out to vote come rain or shine.
The real shockwave will come when the people turnout on mass and send a strong message that enough is enough.
Indeed, I would submit that the current Politicians and Political parties by their own actions fuel disaffection that places a majority of the people of this country at a mass disadvantage when holding elected members to account.
The way forward is for new Independent faces to come forward and I do believe a strong message could be sent to the Political establishment that change is on the way.
This message as we go into 2014 is a simple one, we are not in a dictatorship, and we have a choice, its time for change. Let’s get people from our local communities that we can identify with to stand for office and let’s send a clear message that we are in control and we will not allow the establishment to continue fuelling disaffection with their oppressive tactics and policies.
Ask yourself one question who has the real power. Time to act.
Desmond Jaddoo