Can you be bothered to vote?
A YouGov poll for the Telegraph newspaper has discovered that fewer people are likely to vote in the expected 5th May election than have voted in reality TV programmes.
The figures are startling. It appears that 42% of those eligible to vote for the first time are likely to do so in a forthcoming general election, compared to 46% who have voted in reality TV shows such as Pop Idol and Big Brother. Of the 18 to 22 year olds questioned, around a half didn't know what a "constituency" was, or had an idea who would make the best Prime Minister.
It appears to be a matter of party politics turning people off. Whilst 74% of those questioned had an interest in public affairs, 42% said they had an interest in party politics such as the weekly theatre of Prime Minister's Questions.
The poll comes as the NUS is entering the final days of its campaign to get students registered to vote for the local elections and likely general election on 5th May. The deadline for registering to vote for then is tomorrow. Figures suggest that 1.3 million undergraduates are believed to be studying away from where they are registered to vote, and as such are often likely to become disenfranchised.
The Electoral Commission's campaigns manager, Becky Lloyd, urged students to use their vote. "Politics affects every aspect of students' lives, from their night out to transport and the cost of books," she said. "It's vital that they use their vote to have their say about what matters most to them."
Adding to that, NUS President Kat Fletcher spoke of the student vote being the most important it has ever been, with education such a hot topic. "Students cannot have their say if they do not register," she said.
Information on voting can be obtained from the Electoral Commission's voting website at www.aboutmyvote.co.uk or by ringing the free national helpline on 0800 3280280.
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