Is this you? Does your vote actually matter?

It’s true - queuing to vote is a hassle. And of course you have to get to the Polling Station. You could register for a postal vote, but even this takes some effort. You didn’t have time to read the campaign leaflets that came through the door anyway so you’ve no idea who anyone is or what they stand for. So why bother?

Perhaps living in a third world nation where voting rights do not exist might change your mind? It is very unlikely that your vote will ever change the result of an election, but your right to vote should not to be given up lightly.

Unless you plan on standing as a candidate yourself, it is only really by voting that you show your support of the democratic structure. If the majority of people chose not to vote democracy might well become a thing of the past.

Showing that you care enough to vote tells election candidates that they must be accountable to us. It means that those who introduce issues to gain votes must provide enough information to answer our questions and address our concerns.

Isn’t failing to register a vote tantamount to saying you don't care?

What do you think?

Perhaps you're not planning to vote this year because none of the parties or candidates reflect your view? If so would you vote for someone who promised to do this?

In Hackney, East London, an independent candidate launched his campaign on Tuesday night on a platform he calls Direct Digital Democracy, promising that, if elected, he will vote in parliament however the people in his constituency tell him to.

On the Getavote website, candidate Denny de la Haye explains how it will work:

“For each vote coming up in Parliament, I will put a poll on this website. Every voter living in Hackney South will have a login for this website, and will be able to vote in the polls using their computer or their mobile phone. Whatever the majority vote is, I will vote that way."

What do you think about this? Is it the way forward? Would you trust an MP who voted the way an online poll told him, or do you think those polls will get hacked or attract silly votes? What do you think would change in the Western Wards if every vote in parliament was decided not by the party whip or the conscience of the MP but by the us voting for what we really wanted?

Let us at LocksHeathPeople know!