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April 30, 2008
London-wide elections: good for the parties, good for democracy
Blogger and Labour activist Luke Akehurst has written a brilliant piece on the Progress website summarising why, even before any votes have been cast, the election process has been a win-win situation: for voters, for parties, and for democracy.
"Turnout and voter engagement: turnout is going to be significantly higher than in the previous mayoral election in 2004. Once people start voting again they tend to carry on voting in other elections. This contest has proved that low turnout happens when voters think a race is a foregone conclusion. Presented with a genuine close contest they will engage in the electoral process enthusiastically."
"Reaching the parts of London other elections don't reach: this election has had to be fought London-wide. It has been a genuine 32-borough contest with Labour campaigning in every constituency and ever borough, engaging with voters not just in parliamentary marginals but in our own safe seats and opposition heartlands. If you are a Labour voter in Hackney or Newham, or in Chingford or Ruislip, in this contest your vote has really counted, whereas in general elections only the key marginals really matter."
"Regenerating the London Labour party: the London-wide campaign has led to the organisational regeneration of branches and CLPs that have not been a priority in general elections, recreating structures where they had atrophied or died."
Why shouldn't Londoners, and voters across the country, benefit from such positives in all elections?
Posted by malcolmclark on April 30, 2008
Comments
Glad you agree with me. Even after we receive a good thumping, it will still be something we can learn from going forward into oblivion. We'll always be able to say that the New Labour project may have destroyed the Labour Party, but at least we learnt from our mistakes. And it was all very good for democracy. And our expenses accounts.
Posted by: Luke Akehurst at April 30, 2008 11:53 PM
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