Westminster, we have a problem

The dust is settling from the General Election. For the vast majority of people, elections are a sideshow. But for many of those involved, it’s a pressure-cooker experience: non-stop and intense. It’s a relief to get through it, and get back to ‘normal’ life.

Many thanks to all who participated in it, from all sides, in a great range of ways. Writing and designing leaflets, networking, putting posters up, door-knocking, stuffing envelopes, IT and admin tasks – all this, and much more. So much work in service of democracy is unglamorous – but without it, the system falls apart.

Was it worth it? Did it work? Here in Leeds South, you might conclude: ‘no’. Many thanks to all who voted – but we need to recognise that most people did not. Turn-out here was 42.4%, the second lowest in the UK. Only fractionally ahead of our lowest-ever figure: 41.7% in 2001. A clear win for the non-voters (who, if they got organised, could be the kingmakers for our community).

We’re not unusual. These tally with national figures: national turn-out was just 60% – which translates into 52% once you include people not registered to vote. Again, only slightly ahead of 2001, when it was 59%: the lowest in over 100+ years. And voter turn-out has been generally trending downwards for decades – not just in the UK, but across Europe.

Why is this the case? Is it a big deal? Is democracy worth fighting for? And how do we go about that?

There are many reasons for the low turn-out. An assumption that the result (nationally and locally) was a foregone conclusion. Voters needing photo ID. The short notice of this election. But surely above all else: a lack of enthusiasm for politics. An assumption that it makes no difference, that “you’re all the same.”

Yet politics can make a difference. Labour swept to power in 1945, and created the NHS, the welfare state, and much more. In a different vein, Reagan and Thatcher fundamentally took the US and UK on a new path through the 1980s, towards deregulation, privatisation, and (I’d argue) inequality; meanwhile, similar countries in mainland European pursued fairer paths. (By way of indication, Norway invested their 1980s-90s North Sea oil and gas windfall in a sovereign wealth fund, in service of the nation, that’s now worth over £1 trillion; let that sink in.) And I sincerely hope that this Labour government acts boldly to undo the damage of the past decade or more.

But whatever you believe, don’t wait on politics and politicians to act. Democracy isn’t just about voting: it’s about year-round action, pushing those in power to act for the best (however you see that). It’s about campaigns, dialogue in communities and with elected representatives, robust action and accountability via the media and social media, and much more. Through these means, we can all shape politics.

But there’s a problem. When push comes to shove, our representatives don’t need to listen, or act, if they know they’ll get safely re-elected in future. And for the time being, our constituency remains a ‘safe seat’, monopolised by one party.

A decade ago, the local Council election results were a foregone conclusion in this corner of Leeds – and in many parts of Leeds, they remain so. But it’s good to see that here in south Leeds, that’s no longer the case. Our communities win when politicians and contenders are battling for votes: we get better service, and more exciting and engaging elections.

One way or another, I trust our constituency might go the same way in Parliamentary elections – but we’re not there yet. The recent General Election here in Leeds South felt muted and low-key. Labour were (rightly) confident they were going to win – so, by their own admission, barely campaigned here. (That’s not a criticism: they were campaigning in close-run marginal seats instead.)

We and a couple of the other smaller parties did some campaigning, and picked up vote share accordingly. But I can see why the election failed to register with or spark the interest of many local people.

Changing our outdated voting system would help move things along: our unusual First Past The Post (FPTP) system delivers warped results, time after time. Changing this would make elections less predictable and more engaging. But that’s a conversation for another day.

And there’s this wider issue: loss of faith in politics. Democratic politics is often slow and unglamorous. But it does shape absolutely every element of society. And as Churchill said: “Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.”

Can we pull together, to reboot democratic culture here in south Leeds? Craft ways to discuss politics, online and offline? Take time to read up on hot topics, and share your learning? Develop political education in schools – and pubs and clubs? Develop links with diverse groups and networks, to build engagement?

And work with us – your elected representatives – to make politics visible, accessible, interesting. Hold us to account. And get involved. Politics is head-banging at times, but it’s also brilliant. It is – at least in principle – an act of love, in service of our communities. (Apologies when it doesn’t live up to that.)

The choice before us is this: either we step up and shape politics, to serve our communities. Or we step back, and let politics shape our communities – without us. What’s it going to be?

This post was written by Cllr Ed Carlisle (Green, Hunslet & Riverside) and parliamentary candidate for the Green Party in Leeds South at the general election.

Photo: The declaration of the election result on 5 July 2024

While you’re here, can we ask a favour?

South Leeds Life is published by a not-for-profit social enterprise. We keep our costs as low as possible but we’ve been hit by increases in the print costs for our monthly newspaper which have doubled in the last two years.

Could you help support local community news by making a one off donation, or even better taking out a supporters subscription?

Donate here, or sign up for a subscription at bit.ly/SLLsubscribe