#DearLauren … #votingmatters

#D e a r L a u r e n  ….    # V O T I N G M A T T E R S
I N T E R N A T I O N A L   W O M E N ‘ S   D A Y   2 0 1 5

 

.

 Voting matters, globally!

 

Thanks to everyone who took part and also to The Peoples’ Politics, who worked with us on this #DearLauren social media campaign to encourage young people to vote as well as encourage discussion about #Votingmatters as part of the events around the WOW Festival and International Women’s Day on 8 March.

Because voting matters, globally.

There was a great response from across the UK and far beyond. You can see messages of encouragement, wit and wisdom in our #DearLauren Storify parts I, II and III.

 

.

———–   This is the original post about the campaign   ———–

 

 

Who is Lauren?

Lauren is a student in Glasgow. I met her in September 2014, on the eve of the Scottish Independence Referendum. As a seventeen year old, she was a first time voter in the Independence Referendum, which was reported to have had a record turnout of 84.6%.

Lauren said she planned to vote in the Independence Referendum, but had a very different opinion about politics in general:

 

I don’t really care … I’m not really interested in it. I think it’s very boring.
– Lauren, Glasgow

 

And she is not alone.

At the last general election only 39% of young women aged 18-24 voted, whilst just 20% of BAME young women used their right to vote.

 

 

.

If first time voters, like Lauren, continue to give up their hard won right to vote, their voices will not be heard and they will likely continue to bear the brunt of economic cuts. #Votingmatters.

The deadline for registering to vote in the UK general election is 20 April.

 

– Does voting matter to you? Or do you agree with Lauren?

– Maybe you’re not yet eligible to vote? The next government will have a big impact on your life too.

– What would you say to Lauren?

 

Dear Lauren …
#votingmatters

 

I’ll be at London’s Southbank Centre for this year’s Women of the World Festival or get in touch via:

Twitter

Instagram

Facebook 

Vine

.

#DearLauren … #votingmatters

• Record a #DearLauren clip & send it to us via social media
• Write down your #DearLauren message
  – send a photo/selfie
  – or record a video clip with you holding your message & say “Dear Lauren … #votingmatters

 

I really want to hear what you have to say. Don’t let others silence you. It matters to me that your voice is heard.

The People’s Politics will also be sharing photos over the coming days, so watch this space.

 

In the meantime, hear Lauren’s story in her own words and send us your #DearLauren …. #votingmatters:

.

No vote = no voice.

.

Building on the success of the #Emilymatters House of Commons event and May elections 2014 social media campaign what you say will form part of an ongoing #votingmatters digital archive to inspire and motivate first time voters and especially young women to vote in the future.

 

The suffragettes used the cutting edge technology and new media of their day to promote their campaigns, so Emily Davison and her sister suffragettes would have been all over social media!

 

.

Plans are already in the pipeline for a much larger future project that will include my Emily Davison play ‘To Freedom’s Cause‘, which has extensive audience feedback to prove that young women, in particular, identify with much of Emily’s struggle and the importance of voting.

 

.

With only weeks to go before the UK general election, a business as usual approach by Westminster won’t wash. The grassroots revolution in Scotland shows that it is possible to reach first time voters and those who were previously disaffected.

It’s time for Deeds AND Words, so if you’re passionate about getting more young people to vote, get in touch.

There’s no time to lose!

.

.

Thank you.

 

Kate Willoughby
Actor & Writer of Emily Wilding Davison play To Freedom’s Cause

 

 

Here’s the Storify of #DearLauren … #votingmatters (for International Women’s Day – Part 1):

 

 

 

A rising tide carries all VOTES!