Islington Law Centre is urging residents to make sure their
voices are heard by registering to vote in the General Election, set for
December 12th 2019.
Almost three in ten eligible residents did not vote in the
2017 General Election and the Law Centre is keen to make sure people have the
right to have their say in this election.
“As a Law Centre, we exist to protect and enhance people’s
rights and make sure they can exercise them,” said Centre Director, Stuart
Hearne. “One of the most basic rights is the right to vote and influence who
governs us.”
Stuart reiterated that the Law Centre is not party political: “We are not concerned with how people vote – that is a matter for them alone; we are just concerned that they can vote and have a voice.”
The process is simple and can be done online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote or by
post. The Law Centre, which is open Monday to Friday 10.00-4.00 (closed between
1.00-2.00pm) is able to help people with the paper forms at their offices at 38
Devonia Road, Islington N1 8JH.
There have been concerns raised in recent years that
registering to vote can be difficult for vulnerable people. A House of Commons select
committee heard after the 2010 election that voter registration was
significantly lower among black and minority ethnic groups than those who were
white British[1].
The same is true of younger people when compared to older people.
Stuart said, “We can understand the concerns of people who have
lived through the hostile environment of the Home Office or been subjected to
benefit sanctions about signing up to vote. Anyone who is unsure if registering
to vote will affect their housing or employment status can seek advice from the
Law Centre or any reputable advice agency.”
[1] https://publications.parliament.uk/pa/cm201415/cmselect/cmpolcon/232/23207.htm
