London/European Assembly elections

Michael Studman — Wed, 09 Jun 2004 23:00:00 -0400

Today I voted in my first election outside of Australia – for the London Assembly, London’s Mayor and the European Parliament.

I was suprised to learn that even though I am not a citizen nor permanent resident of the UK, because I’m a Commonwealth citizen I’m entitled to vote in all UK elections. It’s quite progressive and internationalist of the UK to approach elections this way, and no doubt, is referential in same part to its imperial past. Australia, would you offer the same rights to UK citizens?

There seemed to be few difference to the system of voting in Australia – political parties handing ‘how to vote’ cards outside, a registration desk, an electoral office representative getting shirty with absent minded voters leaving those same ‘how to vote’ cards on the registration desk. A similar range of candidates – from extreme left (Communist Party) to center left/right (Labour/Conservative) to slightly left of extreme right (BNP). Sadly, there were no looney parties this year.

A key difference is that voting is not compulsory in the UK. My local polling booth certainly seemed less busy than any polling booth in Australia I’ve ever been to.

Another difference is that voting occurred on a Thursday. In Australia elections only ever happen on a Saturday – no end of annoyance to the football crowds, as I recall. I can imagine the turnout would be dismal in this country if they held it on a match day.

Prior to voting, I must admit to some ignorance on what exactly the London Assembly is. Well, now my vote has been cast I know – it’s an assembly to form some checks and balances against the mayor’s power by, for example, altering his budget or investigating issues of concern to Londoners. Aparently I’m not alone on this.

Similarly, it seems many people have little idea what the European Parliament does. Most often it seems to be the perpetrator of a great many Euromyths – apparent affronts to British common sense whipped up by UK tabloids – of which my favourite is “Yogurt to be banned”.

For most people it seems the mayorial contest is of more importance and signifcance. We’ll find out soon enough if Ken, the tireless (but not ineffectual) self promoting Mayor of LondOn, is returned to office.

full fathom five: London/European Assembly elections

London/European Assembly elections