Without a vote, but not without a voice
By Sasjkia Otto
Teenagers born one day too late to vote on Thursday are fronting a campaign to boost turnout among first-time voters.
Volunteers from six advertising agencies have urged the 1,766 British teenagers turning 18 the day after the election to join the May 7th 1992 campaign to encourage those who can vote to appreciate the privilege.
Robin Wight, the campaign’s organiser and president of advertising firm Engine, believes people born on May 7 1992 are best-placed to make a case for first-time voters because their unlucky birthdays emphasise that others can vote and should make the most of the opportunity.
He wants to give those who can’t vote a voice to influence decisions that will affect their lives.
“It is a tragedy that more first time voters will probably have voted in the X Factor than are likely to vote in the General Election on May 6th,” he said. “This campaign is trying to do something about it.”
The campaign is being promoted on a dozen 48-sheet digital posters in central London. Isabel and Daniel, both born on May 7, 1992, are photographed urging others to act as their voice in the election.
Daniel, who supports Gordon Brown on the posters, said: “It frustrates me greatly that this year’s general election happens to fall on the 6th of May, the day before my 18th birthday.
“This frustration only intensifies knowing that a significant number of young Brits with this right will not be voting in 2010, despite this being arguably the most important general election in a generation.”
Isabel, who supports David Cameron on the posters, said: “I’ve been looking forward to voting increasingly, as I became more aware of the failings of our current government. Never having been very politically involved, I now found myself looking for a better leader to change things.
“This election is the closest yet, a real three horse race, and this means that every vote counts more than ever. It’s such an important event, and could really affect our future. Since I can’t vote, I’d encourage everyone to appreciate the right. It doesn’t matter what your opinion is – just that you express it!”
Teenagers born a day too late to vote are being urged to come forward to add their face in support of the campaign and their favourite party – barring Ukip and the BNP.
Mr Wight had the idea for the May 7th 1992 campaign when organising A Voice from 2015, an anti-Labour campaign which generated nightmarish “tweets” from the future after five more years of Labour rule.
“I asked myself who is the person likely to be most frustrated tweeting from the future,” he said. “It will be the person who suffered for five years under Gordon Brown but by one day missed out on voting.”
Some of the Conservative volunteers are working on both campaigns, but Mr Wight insists the campaign is non-partisan because “democracy is more important than politics”.
