Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.
How dare those revolting Continentals defy those untouched by the recession to vote against more personal austerity? At least they voted, eh? Here are the turnout figures from the past week: London mayoral election – 38%; Britain's local elections: 32%; presidential election, France (round two) – 81% . The despairing Greeks still managed 65% – the same as at the 2010 UK general election. (Yes, locals and nationals are not the same, but...)
i's inbox this week has filled with letters on the "it is our duty to vote" debate; I was always in that "duty" camp, but of late, I am not so sure. Perhaps it's age: elections fly by at an alarming rate; main parties converge in the centre ground at an even faster pace; and a disgruntled electorate casts around for a real alternative. Candidates' election resources and the system (including TV coverage) conspire against us.
Some find solace in a UKIP or an attractive independent like George Galloway, others in extremists. But how many vote just as a protest? How can most of us know what candidates stand for when largely denied access to their arguments? What comes first, the "interest in serious politics" egg or the "belief there is no difference between the politicians and parties" chicken?
In France 17 million tuned in for last week's (three-hour-long) live TV debate between Hollande and Sarko. In fact, 10 million for the first of our three debates in 2010 wasn't that bad. But, we do need a rethink on how politics is presented to help us all re-engage – from the national embarrassment that is the weekly Prime Minister's Questions to the tired format of BBC Question Time. That said, we can fix the medium as much as we want, we can't change the politicians' messages!
twitter.com/stefanohat
Follow @stefanohat
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments