2009 PROJECT

Published on Wed 1st Feb 2006

Despite a slight improvement on the turnout for the 2001 General Election, voter numbers for 2005 remained at worryingly low levels. Just 61.4% of those eligible to vote cast their ballot, meaning that Labour returned a workable majority with the support of just 36% of the electorate. This does not make good reading for anyone concerned with maintaining an effective democracy.

In particular, young people are increasingly staying away from the polls. Based on current trends, it is predicted that just 1 in 4 of eligible voters under 35 will vote in the next General Election. This age group represents approximately one third of the electorate.

This is not only an issue insofar as it neglects a huge chunk of the voting public, it also means that people are failing to get involved in the political process early on in their lives. The 2009 project is aiming to do something about this. If you are going to be under 35 and eligible to vote in 2009, a prospective date for the next General Election, then please follow the link below. The website allows you to pledge to vote in 2009 and will give you some perspective on what impact such a commitment could have on the next parliament.

I would also encourage everyone else to make a similar commitment and hope that we can look to the next General Election as a new high in voter turnout. Democracy is meaningless without participation.

http://www.the2009project.com