Willie Jackson is using his return to the political spotlight to good effect:
Willie Jackson: The health of our democracy is at risk with the Electoral Commission failing voters
The Electoral Commission needs to wake up. What is the use of a democracy if only the middle class vote? How can we make our society fairer and more equal if political parties only pander to a certain group of voters?
Is it any wonder that we can’t solve the housing crisis that grips this nation when those without homes are in such despair with their political system that they simply throw their hands up in desperation and refuse to vote altogether?
Right now we have an emergency with the health of our democracy. Too many young people, Maori and the poorest electorates in our largest cities are not voting.
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Part of the problem is a total lack of civics taught in schools, and part of it is a natural cynicism towards a system they don’t see as being for their benefit, and an Electoral Commission that seems to have given up reaching out to these groups altogether.
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If the Electoral Commission isn’t prepared to do its job properly, then I will. I’ll be out in my community enrolling as many voters possible.While obviously I want them voting Labour, even more important is that they actually vote, so it is imperative the Electoral Commission listen to the criticism and stop their alienation of the young, brown and poor potential voter.
It would be interesting to hear an EC response to this criticism, but good to see Jackson highlighting the concern.
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