Current Affairs

Gay group reminds people to register to vote

Apr 11 2008
Written by Tony Grew

Stonewall, the largest lesbian, gay and bisexual equality organisation in the UK, has reminded people to register to vote ahead of the elections on May 1st.

All councils in Wales and 135 local authorities in England will hold elections.

The Mayor of London and the city’s 25-member Assembly will also be elected that day.

In cities such as Birmingham, Manchester, Newcastle and Sunderland, and 73 English district authorities, one third of the council seats are up for election.

Seven English district authorities will elect half of the council while in Wales all councillors in all 22 councils will be elected.

“In lots of towns and cities across the country there are some closely-fought battles this year, and lesbian and gay people have a real opportunity to make a difference,” said Ben Summerskill, chief executive of Stonewall.

In a message to supporters, the gay equality organisation used the popularity of voting for reality TV show contestants to make the point that citizens can also vote “for someone who can really make a difference.”

To vote in the local elections in England and Wales you need to be registered by next Wednesday, 16th April.

To find out if you are registered you should contact your local electoral registration office.

If you are not registered then you should download an electoral registration form and return it to your local electoral registration officer.

For more information click here.

Incumbent Mayor and Labour candidate Ken Livingstone, Conservative Boris Johnson, Lib Dem Brian Paddick, Green candidate Sian Berry and Respect – The Left list candidate Lindsey German will all speak and answer questions at a Stonewall hustings event at BFI Southbank on Saturday 19th April.

PinkNews.co.uk is proud to be Stonewall’s media partner for the hustings, which will be held at the between 11am and 12.30pm.

The event is open to everyone, but in order to ensure a seat you must register here.

Full list of candidates for Mayor of London:

Richard Barnbrook

British National Party

Gerard Batten

UK Independence Party

Sian Berry

Green Party

Alan Craig

Christian Peoples Alliance and Christian Party

Lindsey German