My First UK Vote

Its official, I voted. My first vote in the UK. I wasn't going to do it, to tell you the truth. If anything, all the media coverage did, was show that no-one really had a clue. But what else is new? Its always like that and I suspect that most of the time people just vote for the lesser of two evils. So it came as surprise to me, when I found myself looking at the manifestos of the different parties.

My subconscious mind had pushed and shoved and got my attention with the 'immigration policy' section. I know there are loads of more pressing issues out there, but as an expat, immigration policy is a huge deal to me. Its become harder and harder over the past number of years to live and work in the UK as an Aussie. The working holiday visa is great for those wanting a taste of British life, but what about those of us who want to stay?

I had to jump through hoops, to get my sponsorship visa, gladly I might add, as I do love London, but still, it wasn't a walk in the park. That visa was the only thing I was eligible for. I'm a professional, working in an area that is on the UKs skills shortage list and, thankfully, make a decent enough living so I can pay my exorbitant London rent and still have a bit left over to enjoy what this amazing city has to offer. But its so hard to move here that I'm sure it puts a lot of highly skilled people off.

Anyway, out of all the parties, only two had a policy that made me feel like I would be welcome to stay, and not in a grudging manner. So I voted, for whatever my two pence were worth.

I went to my polling station and got my slip of paper from the sour woman ticking off names. I swear, she hid the names on the page because I accidentally glanced at them when I gave her my address. Seriously?! Anyway, I took that itty-bitty paper to a rickety booth that looked like it would fall appart if someone so much as sneezed next to it. (By the way, what is it with pencils in the voting booths?? We have them in Sydney too. Are they going to rub everything out and change the votes later or are they so cheap they are worried people are going to steal pens? Honestly, if someone wants to steal a pen from a polling booth...let them have it!) My mark made, I dropped it into the box, dodged those people outside who also want your address for heaven knows what reason and I was done.

And you know what? Voting felt...great. It was such an unexpected feeling! I felt like somehow, that small action was a little turning point and I belonged a bit more here. Go figure.



Did you vote today?