Use the power of the polls

Wilberforce used politics to achieve his goal

Residents in Hull are being urged to follow in the footsteps of the city's famous son William Wilberforce, and use the power of democratic politics to improve the quality of their lives – by exercising their votes in next month's local elections.
Less than one in every three registered voters turned out to vote in last year's elections for ward councillors for the city.
But council leaders are hoping more people will turn out and vote in this year's elections because of Hull's Wilberforce commemorations.
"Wilberforce is inspirational, because he used the political system to change the world and to achieve what he believed was right," says Hull City Council chief executive Kim Ryley.
"Residents should realise that they too have a powerful voice, and that they can make a lasting and visible difference to their communities through voting on May 3.
"Strong local democracy is essential to maintaining the benefits of the society we live in, and its continuation in future should never be taken for granted."
A total of 157,326 adults in Hull will be eligible to vote in next month's local elections.
The elections do not include the wards of Bricknell, St.Andrew's, Southcoates East and Southcoates West, which together hold a further 22,867 voters.
Meanwhile, elections officers are reminding residents who are not yet listed on the electoral role that they have until April 18 to register, if they wish to vote this year.
Forms can be obtained by visiting the Hull City Council website at www.hullcc.gov.uk or by calling 300300 and asking for the Electoral Registration Team.

Local elections facts The ward with the highest voter turnout in last year's elections was Bricknell, with almost four in ten people casting their votes. The ward with the lowest turnout was Bransholme West, with only one in six voters casting their votes. Research shows that, in common with the rest of the country, fewer young people in Hull use their vote, even though they often feel very strongly about particular causes.