Vital to use vote

AFTER nearly a month of campaigning, the day has finally arrived '“ today, both nationally and locally, voters will go to the polls.

But how many?

Reports suggest the turnout will be higher than usual for both polls, which can only be good for all concerned.

A low turnout is only a victory for apathy and the stay-away voters ultimately get the government or local council they deserve.

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Given how much time it actually takes to vote, I can never understand why almost everybody doesn't exercise their democratic right?

If you don't vote, how can anybody complain about how you're governed both locally and nationally?

There's the almost tired argument about how the electorate can never change anything, which is clearly rubbish because of the very nature of a poll, because if enough people believe in a cause, a victory at the ballot box will follow.

I'm hoping that what has been perhaps the most media-intensive election campaign ever will galvanise people's interest in politics and both the long-term future of our country and our town locally, with a high turnout being a testament to this.

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And if anyone is reading this column is still wavering about voting today, please think about the following '“ when I was growing up, my friend's Dad, John, now sadly no longer with us, spoke of his time in the forces in World War Two, and his involvement in the D-Day landings.

He spoke of his regiment and specifically a group of around 30 lads in their late teens, early 20s, called up by their country in the fight for freedom, and the bond that was forged between them as a result of this.

He recalled June 6, 1944, and the landing on the beach in Normandy.

Having left the landing craft, the group headed for the beach, but by the time they arrived, nearly half of them had been picked off by German fire.

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The memory never left John; so much so that when he passed on, the family took his ashes back to the particular beach in France where his friends had fallen.

Voting is a privilege, as is living in a democracy, I personally think the very least we owe those young lads who fell on that beach, and in fact everyone who made the ultimate sacrifice in the fight against Hitler, is to make the effort and vote.

Otherwise, what was the point of their sacrifice?

Singin' in the Rain

Had a cracking night out on Saturday when I went to the Connaught Theatre to watch Worthing Musical Comedy Society's production of Singin' in the Rain.

With their help of a state-of-the-art rain machine, Steve Hollis recreated Gene Kelly's legendary show-stopping number, as the society served up another top-quality production.

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With another groundbreaking show, Beauty and the Beast, on the agenda for the autumn, tickets are already selling fast for what will mark the society's 75th anniversary.

Ian Hart's comment is published in the Herald series every Thursday

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