Why vote at all?

Voting is the most important way to make your voice heard on the issues that concern you. In many countries around the world people have fought to gain the right to vote. In other countries they still do not have the right.

NZ was the first country in the world to grant women the vote; we are also one of only a handful of countries in the entire world to remain a democracy throughout the entire 20^th century. This is quite a special legacy to have.

But having the right to vote is not enough. A strong and stable democracy also relies on people using their votes. By voting, you can hold your elected representatives accountable.

There has been much talk about 'voter apathy'.  Sometimes this is connected with a belief that all parties are the same. We hope that reading this website you will get a strong sense that this is not the case. Labour has a strong sense of what NZ can and should be. Whether you agree with what Labour has done over the last six years or not, voting is something that I think every eligible New Zealander should do.

Not just because people fought and died so that we could.

Not just because it gives you the right to complain afterwards.

But, because under MMP every single vote counts. Decisions are made on your behalf every day, ranging from what is happening in local schools and what recreational facilities you have, to national issues like healthcare and education, to global issues like trade and the environment.

We hope that you will choose to influence these decisions with your vote. We also obviously hope you will agree that this government is doing a good job, see Why Vote Labour?

Some decisions in parliament are decided by party votes (these are called whipped votes). Others are conscience votes where MP’s choose which way they will vote, decisions such as the lowering the drinking age and the Civil Unions Act were conscience votes. You can use your electorate vote to influence who the local MP is and whether they are likely to agree with you. Ask local candidates or scrutinise local MP’s records. These can be complicated, Don Brash for example has voted both for and against the Civil Unions Bill.

If you ever doubt that one vote can make a difference you should consider the incredibly narrow result on the US in 2000 where a few votes won Bush the US presidency. If you consider the choices less stark in New Zealand consider the statements made privately by Nationals caucus that seem to be somewhat at odds with their public position, or their distinct lack of policy detail.