Thought For The Day – Wednesday 3^rd July 2024

Polling stations across the country open at 7 a.m. tomorrow. Some people will have already voted by post.  We pay tribute to the very many public servants, officials, volunteers and the police that play an important role in the running of the day and night.

Throughout history, all election days, and nights, have always been very dramatic and important.

Special assemblies this week, with  Mrs. Miles, Assistant Headteacher,  Mr. Conquest, Head of Politics,  have been wonderful.

These assemblies have featured a “Student Question Time” format where students from all year groups in school were able to submit their questions in advance and then ask their questions to student leaders representing the five main political parties standing in the constituency of Stortford and Hertford. 

The sixth form student leaders and Politics students have done a superb job in clearly articulating political policies, principles and programmes.

Debates, guest speakers, Citizenship lessons and the Year 10 Parliament visit support this wider and balanced education. Last week, Mr. Keith McDougall, formerly of BBC Parliament, spoke to students.

In our traditional TBSHS General Election tomorrow, organized by Mr. Conquest and Mrs. Miles, with the support of Mrs. Haines, you will have the opportunity to vote, filing out our and your ballot paper.

In Australia,  voting is compulsory. It an essential and thoughtful part of being good neighbours. 

In the U.K., voting is currently optional, for equally good and democratic reasons.  

But, as we have been reminded in recent weeks, people have sacrificed their lives for the vote whereas globally, even today, some have not had, and still do not have, a say in how their community and society is run.  Mr. McDougall said to us last week that many of our female relations could not vote. “Votes For Women”, was the message of the Suffragettes.  Democracy is very precious.

Your choice on Election Day should be informed and your vote is personal, private and your business for the wider good.  What and who are you appropriately lending your vote to and why? Do you agree with most or all policies or just some? Are you voting for a person, a policy or a programme, or a combination of all of these aspects? 

In today’s society, we also need to very carefully and critically think about on-line materials also, as you are very well aware from your education.

Tonight is a very good opportunity for you to research what the parties stand for and talk with your family and friends ahead of your vote in school tomorrow. 

Here is an 8 minute summary of the 2024 manifestos (political programmes) from “Channel 4 News”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BjTGJdVwn_4

“Your Ultimate Guide to the U.K. General Election 2024” from “Sky News” in 5 minutes: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ymxWy_CpZiY

The choice is yours.

All this is good preparation for the next General Election, where some of you at very least will certainly have the opportunity to vote, and equally important local elections in years to come.

And, as we always say, in every context, at the end of the match,  people humbly and thoughtfully work together, helping one another, bringing all together, for the good of all.