5 Things I Have Learned During the 2017 General Election

This is my first (and perhaps only) political post on Cocktails in Teacups. The reason why I’m writing it is because this is so far the biggest election of my time and although I’ve been eligible to vote twice prior to this time, I’ve only voted once back in 2010. I didn’t vote in 2015 as I felt all the parties were similar and I was so disillusioned. However, this snap election announced in April by Prime Minister Theresa May (a PM none of the public voted for) is going to be a turning point for the UK and the policies will vastly affect the future of the country, including my 5 year old daughter. In the past I have been complacent but over the last two months I’ve educated not only myself, but my sister too. So less than an hour ago I went out and cast my vote, my vote that will hopefully unseat the Conservative in my area and help push towards a government for the many.

Here are 5 things I have learned about politics during the last few weeks.

1. In 2017, My Heart Bleeds Labour
Lets start with the big one, my political alignment. In 2010 I voted Green. I didn’t do a whole lot of research, I just mainly didn’t want a privately schooled big wig from money. And I didn’t want to waste my vote. Since Jeremy Corbyn took the lead of the Labour party I’ve become more and more affiliated with Labour and what Corbyn wants for the country. He is a good man and a man of the people. He’s the candidate I’ve been after since I could first vote. I’m a parent, the important things to me is ensuring I have money to live and provide LM with a good life, the NHS, schools and the elderly. The Labour manifesto is so good that Conservative and the media attack Corbyn as a person rather than his policies. I don’t agree with everything, but he covers what is important to me. He’s a good man, and it’s about time we ousted the corrupt who only want to continue lining their pockets. I am the many.

2. Don’t Read Everything in the Media, Do Real Research
It’s so easy for people to just take everything stated in the papers and on the news at face value. Especially the elderly who don’t have social media or the internet to search for reputable sources of information. This whole election campaign I’ve felt the Conservatives have played a very dirty game. The BBC and many of the papers have been so biased. The cuts of interviews with Corbyn and other labour representatives has been appalling. I’m glad I’m one of these people who can easily do my own research. I read all about Corbyn as a person and about May as a person. I read their policies, watched their interviews in full. I took quizzes online to see who represented my beliefs most, and unsurprisingly it was labour.

3. I Now Know Tactical Voting is Important
Although I’m bleeding heart Labour, I didn’t vote Labour in the end and it slightly broke my heart. In this election for me the number one goal is to get Conservative out, and to do that, where I live was to return Lib Dem to the seat in our constituency. Labour had no chance, sadly. As you vote for your local candidate, the most votes will win them the seat and the party with the most seats wins the election. If by helping Lib Dem to take the seat from Conservative means they have one less and it closes their gap with Labour I’ll feel like I did my bit. Hopefully by the next election we’ll be living somewhere that my Labour vote will count. Just remember if you do tactical vote that there will be someone who is a Lib Dem supporter but will be voting Labour.

4. You Can Make Your Own Opinion
As I said above I voted Green last time, which I’m sure is what my then boyfriend voted too. Growing up my parents always voted differently, my mum Lib Dem, my dad Conservative. I never shared my dad’s Conservative view, ever. It often caused arguments in our house when I was younger between my mum and dad. However, here I am, all for this New Labour, as is my sister. I made my own decision and my parents respect that. Even though I can’t wrap my head around why anyone who isn’t in the top 5% financially in this country would vote Conservative, I respect that some people do and leave them be. I have my reasons and rebuffs if anyone questions my political alignment and I’m sure they have theirs.

5. Just Vote
The demographic least likely to vote is young women. That’s where I fall. Women died so we could vote and affect change in our country for ourselves and our children. In the past I voted “so I had the right to moan” which is the very least why you should vote. But you should vote because our country needs a future, a new future and we’re lucky to live in a place where we can make that happen. Be smart, do your research and use your vote.

This General Election has really opened my eyes to the world of politics and the idea of making the country and better place to live. I’ve ever been inspired to look into ways I can affect change and support my party further than this election. I feel so much better for getting involved and making sure my voice is heard, even if it’s just a tick in a ballet box and some select posts on social media. I know I want a better future of my daughter and I’m going to make it happen any way I can.