General election: Here’s how I’m voting to ensure young people have bright future – Steve Cardownie

If you don’t vote in the general election, you won’t be able to complain about what happens as a result (and you DON’T need a polling card to vote), writes Steve Cardownie.

Make sure you use your vote tomorrow. Picture: Lisa Farguson

General election day tomorrow and it promises to be a historic day for Scotland and the rest of the UK.

Polling stations will be open from 7am until 10pm, providing ample opportunity for those who wish to vote to do so. Although polling cards may have been posted through the letterbox it is not a requirement that they should be presented to an official in order to vote. Having spent many hours standing outside polling stations on election day, or knocking on doors, I have lost count of the number of people who think that they cannot vote because they cannot find their poll cards.

All you have to do is turn up and give your name and address and Bob’s your uncle… although he is unlikely to feature on the ballot paper.

Once more the well-worn mantra of “They are all the same” is being trotted out as an excuse for apathy and inactivity – however, if you don’t vote you can hardly complain about the outcome, which the very same people invariably do, ignoring the obvious hypocrisy.

It is difficult for me to understand why some people will not involve themselves in the democratic process and cast a vote for the candidate of their choice but I am well aware that too many will choose to opt out.

I will exercise my right to vote and will do so mindful of the responsibility I have towards the young people of today who have a future that should be full of opportunity and promise in a fulfilling and vibrant, tolerant society.

For that reason I will vote for the SNP!