The Nigerian Take on the UK Elections

Beatrice Groth asked three East London Nigerians to tell us what they think about today’s general election in the UK.

 

1
Chidi Ugonna Njoku

Quite frankly I have never been a fan of politics of any kind probably because of my ethnic Back ground as a Nigerian. But recently I have started to take an interest in the UK elections, because of how equality and diversity might be addressed by the political parties. Equality is about more than allowing Churches and Mosques. It is also about making sure that minorities are represented in government. The UK elections are also one of the most important because of the way in which English culture affects the rest of the world.

 

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Yoyin Ogundoyin

The last real election that created any level of excitement in my view was in 2005, when Labour had a strong candidate to offer. Since then my attitude towards British elections has been apathetic. I have even felt slight repugnance at the overly emotional media campaigns run by each party.

Historically, British political ideologies had clear dividing lines. However the 2015 general election campaigns are proving that clear cut policies are a thing of the past. Now every candidate is saying the same thing, but in a different way.

This election is more about the charisma of the leaders, and their powers of persuasion than anything else. In an attempt to capture the youth vote the political parties now run catchy and manipulative ad campaigns that are little different from those run by supermarkets on television.

Surprisingly, UKIP seems to be slightly more appealing to this year’s electorate, and their extremist views on nationalism might just play in their favour. Although I definitely have no sympathies with UKIP, I understand the appeal of a party that seems true to its supporters.

But politics don’t end on Election Day. They continue afterwards through the accountability of each party for all the promises made. The 2015 candidates need to be gently reminded of that fact.

 

3
Sibusiso Mvitsho

The run up to British elections is a long drawn out process that neither excites people nor makes them want to vote. The fact that David Cameron initially refused to take part in a televised American-style debate unless it met his own criteria highlights how his own needs are more important to him than the needs of the country.

All the political leaders seem to use this arena as a platform for their own self adoration rather than as an opportunity to bring the country’s needs to the forefront. However in comparison to African elections – in particular those in my country Zimbabwe – at least the British public have free choice.

In Zimbabwe voters have been intimidated into voting for Zanu PF the ruling party for over 30 years now. Opposition leaders are at times arrested and voters can fear for their own safety if they do not vote for the only choice.

Although British elections are deemed boring and in some ways egoistic, they do achieve the main purpose: free and fair elections, which are a luxury that many Africans do not have.

Screen-Shot-2015-03-16-at-13.12.42     Beatrice Groth is Rising East‘s Communities Editor.

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