Dear LPG, 

Did you know that the majority of British men have only been able to vote for the past 151 years, while the ladies have only had the privilege for 100 years, but so many of us don’t use the power that we have.

I have so often heard people talking and asking questions like “what is my one little vote going to do to make a difference?” but it is to be noted that many elections are won or lost by really slim margins. Notably just two votes made all the difference in North East Fife during last year’s General Election.

It is also important to realise that different sections of our community tend to vote for the candidate who best supports the issues that need to change to improve their circumstances.  We need to remember that this is the stage when we all get to make an impact on what happens next, and that the vote of the older person can make a real difference.

It is now too late for next month’s elections, but for the future, a postal vote can be arranged so that you don’t have to go down to the polling station on the day.  I know from personal experience, that as we get older there are many who will find exercising their right to vote in person difficult for so many reasons. 

We are the lucky ones, if we want to vote we can as long as we are over 18, live in the Lewisham borough and are legal citizens of Britain, Ireland, the EU or a qualifying Commonwealth country, but it is surprising how many don’t exercise the right now that we have it.

GB, Camberwell

LPG have found some information about all the candidates both mayoral and otherwise, online just in case they did not get to you In the post, along with some historical information about how our right to vote was won.

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