The Art of Green Finance

Why should I vote?

Public trust in politicians and goverment is at an all-time low following Brexit, Partygate and erosion of public services. This increases the likelihood of poor turnout at the UK general election in July.

However, the election result is not a foregone conclusion. Although the Labour Party appears to be significantly ahead in national polls, the Labour party lacks both inspirational policies and a charismatic leader to compel people to turn out and vote for them, and in fact, the Labour Party may have alienated many of their core voters due to their stance on the Israel-Gaza war and percieved shift away from traditional left-wing policies. Furthermore, on an individual seat basis, the race may be much tighter than it appears from the national opinion polls. If you live in one of the areas where the race is likely to be tight, your vote counts for more than most.

Another consideration is whether voter apathy could allow an opening for a Tory fightback or a surge from Nigel Farage’s right-wing Reform party? As we’ve seen from the European elections, when voters are apathetic and disillusioned with mainstream parties there is space for extreme right-wing parties to win votes.

Your vote is important even if your candidate doesn’t win. The election results will be scutinised by the political parties and analysed to try to identify the reasons that they lost voters in this election, in order that they can improve their standing at the next election.

Government policies directly impact your finances. Money Saving Expert’s Martin Lewis says that “Voting is one of the biggest consumer decisions any of us will ever make”. Read more about this in What the manifestos might mean for your finances.

Finally, not everyone has always had the right to vote. Campaigns to win votes for women, working class men and other groups have been hard fought – lives were lost. And worldwide fewer people live in democracies than in autocracies. The right to vote remains a privilege that should not be overlooked lightly.

How to vote

To vote in person, check your polling card (delivered by post) to find your local polling station (this is printed on your polling card). You will also need to take photo ID (ideally your passport or driving licence photo card but check other forms of ID here).

If you are a student you may be able to register at your term time address and at your home address. You can only vote from one of these addresses, however, your vote may have more impact at one of the two addresses if one of the seats is a marginal seat. See who should I vote for (below).

Register to vote.

If you are reading this after the 18th June 24 then unfortunately you have missed the deadline to register for the general election 24. Register to vote for future elections now so that you don’t miss out next time.

Once you are registered to vote, by far the easiest way to vote is via post. You don’t need photo ID to vote by post. Apply for a postal vote here.

I’m not into politics. Who should I vote for?

UK elections operate on a first past the post system. In most seats, this means there are only two candidates with a good chance of winning, although in some seats votes may be split three ways. Use the electoral calculus estimates to try to identify the two front-runners in your local area. Tactical voting websites, mostly set up with the aim of ousting Conservative MPs may also be able to give you a good indication of the frontrunners.

Next, look at the manifestos of the parties that you are considering voting for. Unfortunately, there is no guarantee that once elected governments will do everything in their manifesto but this is a document which opposition MPs and journalists will use to attempt to hold the government of the day to account. If this seems like too much work, read more about particular issues in TAOGF guides to the sewage scandal and what the election might mean for your finances.