In a few days time millions of Britons will converge on their local school, church or village hall to cast their vote in the General Election. This year, more than ever before, I hear of people becoming exasperated with politics and politicians. Whatever the political party, the personal attacks and ‘mud-slinging’ are not appreciated; the promises that are made are open to scrutiny and are deemed untrustworthy. For some there is an apparent disconnect with real people in the real world and so some people are sceptical about whether or not their vote has any bearing on the outcome at all.
I have always exercised my right to vote. Having two young daughters it is always an adventure going to the Polling Station. They are entertained by the experience even if they do not appreciate what is actually happening. I read recently that guidance to polling station staff asks them to be welcoming to under 18s so as not to put off the voters of tomorrow! My oldest daughter always wants to be the one to mark the cross on the paper and is most put out when I explain that legally she cannot do it and that it has to be me that places the cross on my ballot paper. I am met with the inevitable question, “Why?”, and so have to explain in simple terms how it is the job of the person in charge to make sure that I am who I say I am and that only I vote.
Politicians are not alone in promoting their values. We all do it by the manner in which we live. Being the person we claim to be, having integrity is an important quality that we should all aspire to. We don’t always manage it and on occasions the person we claim to be is not the person others see. When delivering the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus said, “Let your ‘Yes’ be ‘Yes,’ and your ‘No,’ ‘No.’” Quite simply, he was teaching his listeners to live by their word. I would like to think that on Election Day we can be ourselves, exercising our right to vote according to our values and most importantly by the manner that we live we can make sure that we are who we say we are. That gets my vote!
Major Adrian Allman