Stop the politics of hatred at EU elections

The European, and local elections consistently get less than 40% of the electorate voting. Many Black people tell me all the time 'what’s the point in voting.' At a meeting in Parliament discussing Black issues a woman, sarcastically remarked:

‘If voting made a difference they would ban it.'

I hear that flippant remark a lot.

With racism on the rise both overt and subtle, African, Asians, Caribbeans and other minorities don’t have the luxury not to vote.

The local elections are critically important too , and can directly effect your schools, your housing needs, and other local services such as libraries, community centres, meals on wheels. All these and other services which can make our communities  a better place to live. Important decisions, with budgets –your tax money –that is around 300-400 million pounds spent every year by local politicians.

The European elections are vitally important too, but sadly seen as remote, with many believing that laws and institutions made miles away barely affect our lives. Nothing could be further from the truth.

For example, The European Union as one of the largest trading blocks in the world which often means the wealthier EU countries can look to consolidate their global status, whilst poorer EU countries can be given support, particularly, as we’ve seen in recent times due to th eeconomic turmoil.

Equally vital too are the Common EU policies, such as; employment laws, freedom of movement, and competition laws that help curtail big multinationals from operating cartels.  All these and more both directly and indirectly affect us.

And we often forget just how much clout we could have as BME voice in Europe which should demand greater equity when the EU deals with the Caribbean, Africa and Asia.

What we absolutely  cannot ignore is the politics of hatred which persist throughout Europe, particularly when times are hard and racists bigots and fascists look for scapegoats. The truth is that the politics of hatred is on the rise throughout Europe and seeking to join forces as a  Far Right coalition which would include  France with Marine Le Pen, Geert Wilders in Holland, and Gábor Vona in Hungary.

Here in the UK Nigel Farage will seek to join the bigoted club as his Ukip party spew their anti-immigrant bile scaring voters about ‘benefit tourism’, which doesn’t exist, and ignoring the millions paid in taxes by migrant workers.

All of these parties know that the most dramatic movement of migrants are white europeans, but their target,  which spurs on the backlash is directed at people of colour, and/or muslims.

So when people tell me that voting doesn’t matter I often refer them back to the 2009 European elections in Yorkshire which saw BNP leader Nick Griffin get elected to the EU parliament . He beat the Green Party candidate  who received 127k votes, winning by securing 133k votes. In a regional constituency of more well over  5 million voters, Griffin won by 5,000 votes, less than one percent of the electorate .

Furthermore,  within weeks of securing an electoral mandate to represent the UK in Brussels, one of his first major statements using his new political base was to state:

'We need to get very tough with those –Africans- coming over. Frankly, they need to sink several of those boats. Anyone coming up with measures like that, we'll support...’

Don’t tell me that voting doesn’t make a difference. It’s powerful and its free. Moreover, you can use if for good, or as we’ve seen by Griffin and his European friends, you can use it for evil.

If we are to ensure that Griffin and the other race haters don’t get our money, and platform for hatred we must ensure we register to vote and vote come May 22nd.

A decent democracy both local and European depends upon our action.

Here’s how to register to vote?
https://www.aboutmyvote.co.uk/register_to_vote/electoral_registration_applica.aspx

Simon Woolley