But I Smile Anyway…

Image from Google Images

As many of you are aware, election fever has hit the UK… The general elections hare in but a few short weeks, and all the party leaders are forever on the TV participating in debates, revealing manifestos and generally attending anything and everything they can to get press.  They are appealing to the young and visiting Colleges and Universities, trying to vie for the votes of those youngsters who don’t really want to vote, the minority communities, families, workers, and many other groups, because, well, they just want ticks in their box on the day, don’t they?

Where I live, I have been more aware of how local candidates vie for votes.  I’ll take our local candidates. There are a few Sikh candidates standing for local election, for more than one party, and I have to be honest, I find their way of canvassing for votes a tad extreme!

They have lists of all the Sikh households, and though they are canvassing to all, they determinedly visit they Sikh houses, to do a bit of the, you know “We’re Sikh too, its one of our boys, vote for [whatever] party, so he can get in!”

I know all candidates are doing it, but what gets me is the determination of them, constantly visiting the elder members of the Sikh community, and using their lack of English, or their trust, maybe, to sway them to vote, not on a party’s benefits, but because they know the candidate.

We have had many visits.  Even to tell us to vote postally, but to be honest, I love to go to the Polling Station to cast my vote!  There have been the reassurances  that they will give out forms, collect forms, collect voting card envelopes even!

I am not torn, I already know who I will vote for, nothing to do with what these guys are doing, but there are many who will be swayed by the ‘aquaintance’ side of it, rather than the nitty gritty of who is best for the job!

I went to the temple recently, and an elder relative of ours  was there.  I went over to greet him, and as he said goodbye, his last words were “Vote [Party name], ok?” and when he was aware that my in laws will be back before the vote time, he was like ” Good, tell them to vote that party too!” I know its because he knows the candidate’s dad!

Anyway, I have had a concern that our elders might get tricked somehow, or their votes get cast on their behalf by ‘well wishers’ and today I saw another envelope on our doormat, addressed to me, and one for Hubby Dearest too.  “Great!” I thought, “another colourful spread of pictures, and “Vote For Me!” literature!”

But to my pleasure, it was a letter from our local Gurdwara, temple, with regards to these proceedings! The temple are staying firmly neutral about who to vote for, as they have people for all parties who come to pray here, though we entertained Conservative Leader David Cameron and his wife at Vaisakhi Parade last week!

Oh, a little story about that visit… The community were initially honoured to have them here, but when he was meant to give a little speech to say thanks for inviting him, and he wanted to thank the Sikh community as a whole for their part in making Great Britain Great, the Priest was reciting the culminating prayer of the last 3 days of prayers, and a Tory aide was telling him to hurry up or stop the prayers! A “heated debate” ensued! Come on folks! If you are hoping your attendance here is going to get the Sikh community to vote for you, at least make sure your minions respect the place they are in a temple, AND and not to hurry the main reason everyone was there!

Anyway, back to the letter, I took a picture of it, it’s in Punjabi, and English, and it is very clear in making everyone aware that their vote is their own, and that they are not to assume that if they have requested a postal vote via one of the parties door step-canvass session, that they are only to vote for that party.

I applaud the temple for taking this step. it is important for everyone to know that, yes, their vote counts, and that they should make an informed decision, not just pot luck because they know someone who knows someone!

The English version, sorry it’s not clear!

In Punjabi too!

I went on the Gurdwara Facebook page after writing this, and had to make an addition to my post! There was an uproar from certain members of the community, stating that the Temple had wasted money on this, though it was funded by a private donor! Then there was the point made that the Gurdwara President has a daughter standing for a council seat this election… But that was an unfounded point… As I said, the letter was unbiased… No credit given to any political party… Maybe those guilty of the extreme canvassing, are now biting back!!!

Can I just say, I still love the idea behind this letter!!! And I made my point on the comments too, garnering a response of thanks from the temple, for the support!

Ooh! Ritu getting political!!! 😁