64% of Teesside's voting public abstained from exercising their democratic right in the 2021 Tees Valley mayoral elections. Jessie Joe Jacobs, director of The Democracy Network, who was on the losing side of the vote in 2021, explains why that hurt more than the defeat
Politics matters and voting does too. Politics is a force that shapes the very fabric of our lives. In 2002 I founded A Way Out, a women and young people’s service that works with women and young people at risk, we were working with some of Teesside’s most vulnerable people, young people living in derelict buildings, women being beaten with broom sticks by pimps, children with no food in their fridges or carpet on the floors, but after years of trying to make if difference, it became increasingly clear, it wasn’t just the work of charities that would create change, it was also about policies and how decisions were made. I came to realise that the issues we grapple with are not merely the result of individual choices; they're deeply intertwined with the policies and decisions made by our elected leaders.
I began to understand, that politics matters. It's not just about what happens in the corridors of power; it's about whether our communities have access to quality public services, adequate housing, crisis support, youth services, and decent-paying jobs. These decisions, often made by politicians, have a profound impact on the lives of ordinary people.
In 2019, fuelled by a desire to effect change at a political level, I threw my hat into the ring for the position of Tees Valley Mayor. It was a tough election, during the Covid crisis, when even speaking to voters was at times impossible and the party I was representing were doing pretty terribly across the country. It was no surprise I didn’t win, and it hurt, knowing I wouldn’t have the power to deliver the change I knew we needed —but it was the fact that so many people just didn't vote that hurt even more. In that election, a heartbreaking 64% of Teesside's voting public abstained from exercising their democratic right. Two out of three people chose silence, leaving the fate of our community in the hands of others. This, to me, was and still is deeply troubling.
The years since have been marked by upheaval and uncertainty, both locally and nationally. From controversies surrounding Teesworks to the scandals of partygate; changes in prime ministers, amidst questions around covid contracts, and a fluctuating and at times, failing economy. And yet, in the face of these challenges, voter disillusionment seems to be on the rise. People are weary of politics, disheartened by the perceived distance between their voices and the corridors of power, unconvinced that change can ever come.
But now, more than ever, is the time to reclaim our democracy. Voting is not just a right; it's a responsibility—a chance to shape the future of our communities and our country. As we approach the upcoming local elections for Tees Valley Mayor and the Police and Crime Commissioner on May 2nd, followed by the General Election later this year, I implore you: use your vote. It doesn't matter which party you support or which way you lean politically. What matters is that you participate, that you make your voice heard.
This is our chance to demand better, to hold our leaders accountable, and to shape a future that reflects the needs and aspirations of all. So, on election day, don't stay silent. Cast your vote for the future you want to see. Don't let apathy, disillusionment or discouragement rob us of our voice. Our democracy depends on it.
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