GIP!

Only a century after people spent their lives in pursuit of universal suffrage, most of us don't bother to vote in local, European and mayoral elections. None of the parties seem right, somehow; politicians have feet of clay, they get embroiled in things we don't believe in. It's all so hard. The elections are complex, the issues are difficult, we're asked to choose between shades of grey.

Exercise your right to vote; if that means choosing the lesser of several evils, or voting tactically, so be it. But don't forget, or think it's pointless.

GIP!

Only a century after people spent their lives in pursuit of universal suffrage, most of us don't bother to vote in local, European and mayoral elections. None of the parties seem right, somehow; politicians have feet of clay, they get embroiled in things we don't believe in. It's all so hard. The elections are complex, the issues are difficult, we're asked to choose between shades of grey.

Exercise your right to vote; if that means choosing the lesser of several evils, or voting tactically, so be it. But don't forget, or think it's pointless.

More polemic for people considering not voting

Minor parties need about 10% of the vote (depending on where you are in the UK) to get a seat in Europe. Some minor parties, such as the British National Party, are very good at getting their vote out. If the turnout is below 25% in the European elections (and it probably will be), that means that fewer than 3% of the electorate could elect, eg, an openly racist MEP, or one that believes that God speaks to them and tells them what the right policies are. It's worth voting, even if you have severe reservations about the main parties, if you have any political preferences at all.

Encourage all your friends, too.

More polemic for people considering not voting

Minor parties need about 10% of the vote (depending on where you are in the UK) to get a seat in Europe. Some minor parties, such as the British National Party, are very good at getting their vote out. If the turnout is below 25% in the European elections (and it probably will be), that means that fewer than 3% of the electorate could elect, eg, an openly racist MEP, or one that believes that God speaks to them and tells them what the right policies are. It's worth voting, even if you have severe reservations about the main parties, if you have any political preferences at all.

Encourage all your friends, too.