Thought For The Day – Tuesday 4^th June 2024

On Thursday July 4th, one month from now, there will be a General Election in the U.K.

A General Election, which usually occurs every four or five years, is where people aged 18 and above have the opportunity to vote, or express a preference for a political candidate (or prospective Member of Parliament) standing in their local area or constituency.

Unlike in Australia, for example, voting is not compulsory in the U.K., but, as the Suffragists and Suffragettes  showed, people have sacrificed their lives to have the vote.  Voting is precious. In democracy, people have a say and are equally valued.

Here is an excellent 5 minute guide to the way the General Election works from the always brilliant “First News” newspaper and “F.Y.I.” broadcast team (which features on “Sky News” each Saturday):  https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WuBHczMHyWI

The two leaders of currently the two largest political parties in U.K. will debate their policies, values and vision tonight in the “leaders’ debate” at 9 p.m. on ITV.   Appropriate and legal smaller parties, who also play a very significant role in the election, will join future debates and are part of the very important conversation across the U.K.

This all is a key part of politics. Political scientist Harold Lasswell said that politics was the process of “who gets what, when, and how.” In many ways, this links to Economics, how resources are allocated, and all other subjects you study and that are at the heart of life.  There is an outstanding Politics department at The Bishop’s Stortford High School with subject leader Mr. Conquest and Mr. Wagstaff.

With anyone, or anything, in life, including ourselves,  the good values of commitment, aspiration, respect, integrity, community, equality and sustainability are vital.