Our period of incredible political flux shows no sign of settling. June’s snap General Election announcement caught everybody on the hop. It won’t be until mid-May that the political parties publish their manifestos. In the meantime, they talk of extra holidays, copy each other’s plans for energy bill caps and argue about NOT doing live TV debates.
There is a fear that voter fatigue and poll apathy will keep people from engaging.
It’s understandable. While we live in a time of change with so many elections and referendums – out of Westminster and from devolved seats of power – it’s hard to see the effect of good governance. Everything is about getting there, rather than the things that need to happen when they arrive.
However, to not engage is a mistake. THIS is the time to really make a difference.
While Brexit remains the flag under which this election sails, there are many problems that need addressed – including around poverty, health, social care, education, literacy, housing and pay equality.
Focus, inevitably, will sharpen on how much the main parties will spend on these issues.