Helping the homeless to vote

Helping the homeless to vote

Labour's parliamentary candidate for Southend West, Julian Ware-Lane, is backing a campaign to get homeless people and rough sleepers to register to vote.

Julian says “ I believe the voices of homeless people matter a lot. Since the Tories came to power in 2010, official numbers of rough sleepers have more than doubled to over 4,000 in England, with actual numbers possibly far higher than that. There are also 100s of 1000s of 'hidden' homeless – people living in B&Bs, squats or sofa-surfing with friends and relatives. Incredibly, and very sadly,  this includes well over 100,000 children!“

Labour have pledged to build 1 million new homes in the next five years, if elected, with at least half of them being council homes. They have also pledged to introduce rent controls and give more security to private renters.

“I fully support HARP and the tremendous effort that they have put into encouraging the homeless to vote. I know that voting may not be the top priority for someone sleeping rough but decisions made by government affect them as much as everyone else.”

Southend based charity for the homeless, HARP, are assisting homeless people to register to vote and providing the forms and help completing them at the Bradbury Centre, York Road. Forms are also available on-line at https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/voter-registration-forms-paper-versions

Turnout in Milton ward

I had this vague notion that the higher the turnout, the better were Labour's chances in Milton ward. This is a generally accepted rule for Labour across the country, although there are local exceptions. The reasoning behind this presumption is that Labour voters are seen as less inclined to express their suffrage; whereas Conservative voters, in general, are more eager to cast their votes.

Therefore, the higher the turnout, it is presumed, the more likely that this will include Labour supporters. Low turnout equates to Labour voters staying at home.

A by-product of this thinking (that Labour voters are less inclined to make an effort on polling day) is that we have to encourage and cajole people into voting, especially in marginal seats. This means that polling day itself is a long day for Labour activists.

I am aware that all serious contenders will be out encouraging their supporters to make the effort at the ballot box. A marginal like Milton will see teams from both the main two parties out all day. (I am not deliberately denigrating the efforts of the other parties, but I have yet to see them make any real effort here.)

This table shows the turnout and the Labour vote in percentage terms.

Year	Lab %	Turnout %	Position
2016	45.3	30.5	1
2015	37.8	57.9	2
2014	36.4	30.3	1
2012	35.8	24.4	1
2011	32.5	33.9	2
2010	22.8	52.0	2
2008	25.8	28.1	2
2007	27.9	26.5	2
2006	21.1	30.0	2
2004	27.6	30.9	2
2003	20.1	22.2	2
2002	34.7	27.5	2
2001	46.8	47.4	2

It is far from conclusive one way or another, although I think there is some correlation between increased turnout and increased support for Labour. General Election years create anomalies.

I want increased participation regardless as to whether it benefits Labour or not. If you value democratic engagement then you must want increased turnout.

The cynic in me could make an argument that making voting more difficult is in the best interests of the Conservative party, which may explain some of their recent reforms. Whatever, my aim is to drive turnout up in Milton ward, regardless of the consequences.