An Intro to Politics

Politics can be intimidating and it can be hard to figure out where to start learning about it. Learning about politics is important so you know who to vote for, and since politics is such a hostile environment, many things can factor into why people may be voting for the wrong person.

I see a lot of people saying that if there isn’t a good party they won’t vote. This is dangerous because there will always be a ‘better’ party. They will never be perfect, but one will be less dangerous than the other. This is where tactical voting comes into play. Other times I see people say they won’t vote because politics doesn’t interest them, or that politics is boring and they don’t care for it, or even just claiming that they’re not political. If politics doesn’t interest you then it means that the current political climate suits you so you don’t feel the need to change it. I think you should instead look out for people who genuinely need a hand in political climates and help them out. 

There can be a lot of misinformation about politics, sometimes even from those we think we can trust. Here’s how I started learning about politics and how I got a foot in it:

• Don’t always listen to what people say. This is how misinformation can spread. No matter how much you trust what these people say, do your own research. Almost everyone’s politically biased, they’ll try to make their opposing party look bad.

 

• Do your own research. Look at every party’s ideals and go from there. It’s important you go straight to the source. Watch campaigns, read their websites, their leaflets, anything you can directly from the party. Don’t listen to what anyone else says. 

 

• Look at who the influential leaders are. This comes under research. Look at their social media, research their past, anything you can think of. This will show a lot about what they’re like and where their ideals stand. 

 

• Don’t always listen to the media. This is because the media maybig up anyone who benefits them. They tend to be very biased. They may twist headlines to either get more views or to get a good word in with a party if it looks like they’re going to win. Whatever you see in the media, make sure you find the origins of what they’re saying.

 

• Look at tactical voting. Say if you wanted to vote for purple but yellow looks like they’re ahead, and you don’t like yellow, but the only party that will beat yellow is pink, it might be worth voting pink. Although if you vote purple they might get more seats, ultimately if yellow wins then they’ll get the majority of the votes. It’s a very frustrating situation to be in but, sometimes tactical voting is better than the obvious. 

 

• Understand that you won’t agree with everything. There are two major political parties in the UK, and although I don’t agree with everything both say, I understand that one is MUCH worse than the other and although I don’t agree with the other all that much either, I completely understand that they’re the best one for me to vote for. This is where tactical voting comes in - the party my ideals line up with the most wouldn’t win against these parties, so if I do feel as if the very bad party will win, I will vote for the other. Even though I don’t agree with all of their ideals, they’re better than the other option. 

 

• Think about their impact. By voting for someone who’s homophobic, transphobic, sexist, anti-Semitic  and racist, that’s the country you’re going to make. You can’t align your ideals with a party run by people with those ideals and claim you’re not any of those things. You will put all of those people affected by those things in danger. Think before you vote. Look at the bigger picture.

Politics is intimidating and petrifying, but it’s so important to understand it. It’s important to understand just how impactful your vote can be. Voting can be life or death for some people, and, though that seems dramatic, it really is. It’s important to know what parties stand for and know how to figure out what’s fake news and what isn’t. It’s important to know where your ideals stand and how to align them with the best party for you. Remember, vote for who’s capable. Don’t vote for someone because it’s funny. Vote for someone who’s capable for the job and can really inflict positive change. 

It’s hard, but it’s worth it. We need to make the world a better place and, though we can only vote for our country, it will be a massive help. Change won’t come overnight, but we can do our part. 

Your vote matters. As soon as you can do so, please register to vote. Don’t underestimate how important it is. Just vote. Don’t let anyone discourage you from voting. .our vote matters.

~ En

Register to Vote UK - 
https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

Register to Vote EU -
​https://europa.eu/youreurope/citizens/residence/elections-abroad/european-elections/index_en.htm

Register to Vote USA - 
https://www.usa.gov/register-to-vote

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