Well, Election Day is finally here and we can all get our X firmly placed into that big black Ballot Box.
I love plucking my big white card from the mantelpiece and strutting into the Polling Station to make my mark on democracy.
I’m buzzing all day – right from the ballot box to the exit poll. Then I sort my supplies, batten down the hatches, and wait patiently throughout the night for those results to trickle in.
I can’t be doing with that postal vote thingy but I am a great advocate of always using your precious cross so if the letterbox works for you then crack on.
Obviously I also can’t let the day pass without a shout out to the Suffragettes and their struggle so we woman could cast that valuable vote – whichever way you chose to use it.
Totally get that they actually gave us the choice to make our mark but for me it’s almost a thank you to our sisters in solidarity for helping try to turn the misogynist tide of history.
Yes, I still do believe that voting counts.
The discerning cynic in me is well aware that we may not always get the full political picture before we pick up that pencil.
And we may not always get the result we personally and desperately want.
But, call me old-fashioned, I also believe that once the nation decides, we should absolutely always respect the result.
And I, hand on heart, mean that whatever way it goes not just when it goes the way I want it to.
For me, it’s about blocking out the media mayhem, digging deep into the Manifestos, after pushing personalities aside.
Then voting for the side that resonates most with your world view… before having the courage of your convictions.
And putting your money where your mouth is.
I’m certainly not going to reveal my voting intentions – you draw your own conclusions.
It’s between me, my conscience and the ballot box.
So, just a heartfelt plea to please take your time to pick your colour, pop along to the Polling Station and pencil your X in the square.
And please respect the result, it’s repercussions and whatever else the cold light of a frosty Friday morning brings.
It’s all to play for.
Mrs SVJ
The Voice of Our Community
Sue Vincent-Jones, blogging as Mrs SVJ, is a Barry born journalist, editor, and activist. She writes about Barry – and her life in the wider world, through the eyes of a, quirky and queer, local girl done good.
Written exclusively for the Vale’s newest newspaper, and digital platform, The Glamorgan Star, her latest ‘Passing Comment’ column, an addition to the infamous Sue’s Views collection, can be found here.
Mrs SVJ, Barry’s Boldest Blogger, can be contacted here.