KennyPaulSpeaks
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votetorightyourUse
wonder how many times, over the last “Notvoting
turbulent 12 months, politicians have
really understood the anger and outrage doesn’tmeanyou
felt over the expenses abuse scandal.
The claiming of money for which canwashyourI
manywerenot entitled wasnot a Our countryneeds stability, not slogans.
question of party or political persuasion. At a time when we hope and pray that thehands,orthatthe
This wasnot about left or right but about worstofthe economic recession is behind
right or wrong and knowing the difference. us, we need stable employment,newnextfiveyears
Moat clearing, mortgages which didn’t jobs, affordable housing and protection of
exist, duck houses, second homes which our health and education services. Andwillnotaffectyou
were anything but,haveall led us to question protection for all us from the nullinancial
the integrityofpoliticsand politicians and buccaneersoffreemarket excess, the spivs–theywill”
manypeople, including GMB members, of the banking and private equity world,
will have thought,what is the point of gambling with moneytheydon’t have,piling
voting for anybody – a plague on all up huge debtsand then looking at the
your houses. wreckage theyhavecreated and wailing “we
And frankly it is understandable that so are all in this together”.
many feel let down by those elected to serve voting allows politicians of all parties to And of course we need connullidence in our
us, the people. remain unaccountable to large sections politicians, those who seek our supportand
of the electorate. who make laws in our name.RememberthedecentMPs
Those who bothered to vote in the Not voting doesn’t mean you can wash
The truth is, many really good MPs whose pastgaveusthe National Health Service. your hands, or that the next nullive years will
names didn’t showupinthe tabloid press are Without their votesitwould neverhave not affect you – they will.
likely to paythe penaltyfor the wrong doing come into existence. Choices about who you want to govern
of others: MPs who slept on camp beds Health and safety laws, pensions and our lives will come shortly.Makethat choice –
in their office in the Commons to save the employment rights, were all brought about don’t wake up with regret after the election.
country money; or the ones who when told by political campaigning and political parties If youneed help in obtaining your vote
of the daily food allowance theycould claim, getting electedtogovernonsocial and or help with an application forapostal vote
answered: “I bought my ownlunch in my last welfare agendas. contact your local council or email political.
job and will carry on doing the same now!” Cuts in public services like schools and department@gmb.org.uk.
These aredecent people who have been hospitals, the running down of council Democracy may not be perfect but the
working hard for the constituencies and, housing and the privatisation of water, alternatives don’t bear thinking about.
surprise, yes, there are a lot of them so be gas, electricityand the railwayswereall Best wishes. ■
careful not to throw the babyout with the political decisions made by governments
bath water. claiming the support of the voting public.
Useyour right to vote.Aright fought forby
past generations – blood was spilled getting Yourvote,yourchoice
us all that right to vote. The powerofyour vote in this process
Sometimes people sayvoting doesn’t should not be underestimated. It is your right PaulKenny
change anything. They are wrong. Not to vote, please use it. GMBGeneralSecretary
www.gmb.org.uk 9
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