Rev Dr Claire Finlay, curate at St James the Great Church, Thorley, and chair of Churches Together Bishop’s Stortford, on the General Election, social responsibility and her Christian faith
If we reflect back over past General Elections, we realise that their outcomes shape history, change lives and affect future generations. The upcoming election on July 4 will shape our future, whether we engage with it or not, whether we vote or not, whether we are fans of politics or not.
I still find it astonishing that before 1918 I would not have had the right to vote, that my opinion would have been disregarded and considered insignificant to the future of the nation. When I remember what women went through so that I would have the right to vote, I feel compelled to use my vote, to be informed and to use my vote wisely.
I must admit I am not a fan of politics and can easily become discouraged and disillusioned with the rhetoric of political debate. However, I do want to see the people around me thrive and flourish, I do want our town and nation to flourish. I feel it’s my social responsibility to use my vote in a way that benefits others. Part of my motivation for this is my Christian faith.
Jesus said the second most important thing after loving God is to love our neighbours as ourselves. When applying this to the upcoming election, this means not simply voting for the politician or political party that will result in the greatest personal gain for myself.
I choose not to vote for those who will make me richer or my life easier, but instead for those who will benefit the greatest number of people.
Loving my neighbour as myself motivates me to consider how my vote will impact the weakest and most vulnerable in Bishop’s Stortford, in England, in the UK and in the wider world.
Whatever your political affiliations, I encourage you to vote.
I encourage you to consider the impact of your vote on the voiceless, on the generations yet to be born, on the children and young people of today, on the refugees and the trafficked in the UK, on those living in areas of conflict and famine around the world.
Your vote matters, every person matters.