Voting day

With Rosemary at the Senedd, May 2006

Election Day. And probably one of the most important ones for years. So much uncertainty about the future, and so many important decisions to make to put us on the road to recovery from the pandemic.

Almost certainly how the governments and their leaders have dealt with the crisis will be a deciding faction. Voters will weigh up the decisions, ponder on the errors.

Another uncertainty is how many will bother to go to the poll.

It is easy to criticise and harangue governments for their performance in a unique situation but could we have done better?

I doubt it, yet past experience suggests too many will not bother to turn out today. Britain’s performance at the polls, national and local over many years has been miserable, a disgrace.

I am not convinced that it will be better this time, when there is a much wider range, including the devolved governments, mayors and police commissioners.

In Wales we have sixteen and seventeen year olds getting the vote.

I was involved in and enjoyed elections for many years. I found them exciting and important but was always disappointed to be in the minority.

In local elections turn out could sink to 30 percent or even less with 50 percent, almost laudable, for a national poll.

The Senedd has never attracted more than 50 percent.. Maybe this time will be different. I hope so.