On Thursday residents of Greater Manchester will have the opportunity to vote not only in their local council elections but also in the region’s mayoral election.
But will the people of Manchester turn up to vote?
Mancunian Matters took to the streets of Manchester to ask that question.
Of the seven people interviewed only one said they were going to vote this Thursday.
Angus Ogier, a 65-year-old architect from Trafford, said: “I’m voting because I believe in democracy.
“People in the past have fought for the right to vote so their effort and blood should not be forgotten.
“I know politicians are venal and make mistakes but I am human too.”
But this was not a sentiment shared by other residents of Manchester, with the other people interviewed all saying they would not be voting.
Rich Padden, a 27-year-old tech worker from Warrington, said: “I don’t vote in any election, I don’t want to be a part of that system, nothing ever really changes.
“I think you can make the best out of your life despite who’s in charge, I do like the mayor of [Greater] Manchester currently but for me I see voting as pointless.”
It seemed the idea of not being dragged into politics was not the only issue preventing residents of Greater Manchester from voting in Thursday’s election.
Caterer Lizzie Prentis, who lives in Stockport, didn’t know local elections were taking place.
The 56-year-old said: “Well, it’s not very well advertised if you ask me.
“I might get down and vote but I don’t know who’s running either.”
Voter turnout is key to election campaigns, and different parts of Manchester have differing levels of turnout.
In the 2023 council elections, Chorlton had the highest voter turnout with 42.03% whilst Fallowfield had the lowest as only 18.35% of eligible voters cast their ballots.
Time will tell if more Mancunians than ever use their democratic right in a local polling station this Thursday.
Featured Image by Will McCue.
