Register to vote now: Last day 17th April

The deadline to register to vote in the 2018 local elections is fast approaching on 17 April. Those who have not registered have approximately two weeks to do so before the elections in early May.

The registration process takes no more than ten minutes and can easily be done online at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote. Those wishing to register will need their National Insurance number and passport on hand to complete the application.

Elections will take place throughout England in the London Boroughs, Metropolitan Districts, Shire Districts, and Single Tier Shire Districts. In London all borough councillor seats are up for election in addition to mayoral races in Hackney, Lewisham, Newham, Watford and Tower Hamlets.

With the BME population steadily on the rise, the community’s voting power is increasingly significant. Every vote chips away at a democratic deficit that has characterized English politics for decades and marks a movement towards progress. There is no reason why the BME community cannot determine the results of local elections, creating the make-up of England’s future leaders, if they show up to the polls this May.