Calling on Lincoln to Vote for Students

As you will almost certainly know, the Prime Minister has called the General Election for May 6th 2010 – which is very exciting for geeks like me!

However it’s clear to see why politics puts people off, particularly young people – but that shouldn’t be the case – in my opinion.

If you don’t intend on voting because you don’t think it affects you, allow me to ask you some questions:

- Are you at University / wanting to go to University?
- Do you have a student loan to pay?
- Would you like a job / training upon graduation?
- Would you like to own a home at somepoint soon?
- Has your house been burgled, or do you know of this happening near to you?
- Do you live in a house with other students?
- Do you have a job?

If you answered yes to any of the above, then the government and your elected representative (MP) has a big say in your life – whether it’s politicians wanting to limit the number of Houses of Multiple Occupancies (HMOs) in each community or politicians wanting to lift the cap on tuition fees or politicians wanting to change the amount you earn before you pay income tax and national insurance.

Voting couldn’t be made much simpler (unless it were online) and it really is something that you should do to make sure that your voice is heard and your opinion counts! And it will make a difference, if a third of the student community at Lincoln cast their votes in a similar way – we could swing an election and make sure that our representative worked FOR students, because after ploughing millions into this economy for years and helping to transform the city – it’s about time we had somebody who stands up for us and fights for our well being.

If you are not registered to vote, you have until April 20th - and it’s a case of filling out a simple form and posting it off or dropping it into the local council office – more can be found at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk

If you are registered, check out www.voteforstudents.com and sign up to pledge your support in the battle to build a student friendly parliament.

Next week, we’ll be making it that bit easier to register to vote and pledge your support to Vote for Students – with a stand in the atrium (Tues – Fri lunchtimes) where we’ll have the forms and info you needs, a visit to as many apartments in Courts as possible and 9 -5 help registering in the SOAP Centre Tuesday – Friday.

Please do give it a go; make sure you’re registered and sign up to the site – you never know, you might even enjoy the trip to the ballot box and playing your part in democracy.