Why use your vote by Amy Richards:

What is going on?

As you may be aware this week is the #general election! So we are going to try and give you all some #information on #voting why we should vote, and who there is to vote for. The #general #election is taking place on the 7th May 2015, this takes place every 5 years generally but in two circumstances this can be different. This is when members of parliament decide they no longer have #confidence in the current government and call a #re-election. There has been much activity in recent weeks with each #party arguing from their side to convince the general public that what they’re saying is best for our country, our economy and each one of us. But what is important to you? #Election results are widely reported in the local and national #media, with many providing rolling coverage of the results as they are announced. Each local #authority with responsibility for running elections publishes the results for #parliamentary constituencies in their area. The Electoral Commission publishes the overall election results as well as those for individual constituencies.

The First #World #War provided the first opportunity for #women to take on traditional male jobs so it isn't surprising that in 1918 women over 30 were given the same #political rights as men. But this change was not just a result of war - women had been #campaigning for decades to be given the right to #vote. Votes for #women was part of a gradual improvement in women's #rights that had been going on throughout the 19th century. The movement also #campaigned for the right to divorce a husband, the right to #education, and the right to have a #job such as a doctor. Many women, however, saw the vote as the vital achievement that would give them a say in the laws affecting their lives. At the time, the #Suffragettes caused a lot of anger and it has been argued that they lost support for the cause. Certainly, women had not been given the vote by 1914, even after a lot of Suffragette #violence. However, some historians argue that, although they could not be seen to give in to Suffragette violence, politicians could not face a return to Suffragette violence after the war, and that is why they gave women the vote.

The last election showed that thousands of #Telford and #Wrekin residents didn’t register to vote and didn’t #vote. It is really important we use the opportunity we have been given and #vote, we cannot complain about future decisions taken by a #government if we didn’t try to change the people making the decisions.

Who are the main parties and what are they saying?

Firstly the #Conservatives headed by #David Cameron. The #conservative manifesto is heavily based on the economic recovery they have managed to achieve after taking over from the previous #labour government. They aim to increase jobs available, currently #unemployment is at its lowest since the economic #recession.  The #conservatives have stated if they stay in power they will offer the UK a #referendum on our involvement with the #European #Union. Some people feel this would benefit the #UK so we can decide our own laws, control immigration and change the way we #tax people. However others feel this would be bad for #business and that we would be stronger #together. But, this is the only party offering the public the choice. Another big issue for many parties is the #NHS. The #conservatives plan to spend more on the #NHS, and match the money #NHSEngland say they need to improve services, increase the numbers of frontline workers, and decrease waiting times.

Now the #manifesto of the #labour party. At the start of their #manifesto they claim all the changes that they propose have already been paid for and require no more spending. However, they are also saying that austerity needs to continue, although at a reduced rate to the conservative party. #Labour party have also said that they will cut #tuition fees from £9,000 currently to £6,000. The #conservative party and the #liberal #democrats have not agreed to this but have also not said they will increase them. #Labour say they will back smaller businesses and have claimed that they will cut and freeze #tax for the small businesses. Also suggesting those #employees that work regular hours for more than 12 weeks will be offered a #permanent #contract, getting rid of zero hours contracts. #Labour have also vowed to place a stronger importance on #mental #health and provide a larger proportion of the #NHS budget to this. Aiming to reduce waiting times and provide just as much attention to #mental as #physical health.

The next party we are going to look at are the #Liberal #Democrats. On their website they are the only party out of the ones we have mentioned that offer several types of #manifesto. A full version, shortened version, brail, sing language, audio and clear print.  In their top 5 priorities they put having a strong #economy and reducing the amount of #money the #government borrows at the top of their list. Second to this was changing the #tax threshold so that people would be able to earn up to £12,500 before being taxed. The #liberal #democrats also focus on the #NHS and suggest spending £8 million to improve services, and they also support #mental #health services as equally as physical health. At the last of their top 5 is #fighting for a cleaner greener #environment to protect nature and fight climate change.

So what are you waiting for?

The Polls open tomorrow at 7am.

USE YOUR VOTE!!!