So you’ve registered to vote in the upcoming UK general election. Now comes the big decision that directly impacts YOUR future. Still undecided? We’ve asked some of the UK’s creative talents which way they will be voting come 8th June, and why their decision makes sense for the country’s future generations. Hint: SHOW UP and make your vote count. 

Luisa Le Voguer Couyet is a writer, artist and independent publisher born and raised in East London. As well as writing for HERO and HEROINE, her words have been published by titles including the BBC and The Guardian, in addition to working on her own independent publication, Hate zine. Luisa has also presented news shows for Fair Planet, and is currently developing a women’s talk show.

Here, she tells us how she’ll be voting, why, and why young people must turn out on polling day.

How will you be voting in this election and why?

“I’m a member of the Labour Party and I support traditional Socialist-Labour values. They’re currently our largest opposition party so if anybody despises the Tories, then backing Labour is vital!”

Why is it so important for young people to vote?

“The outcome of the election affects everyone, especially the young as they have to suffer the consequences longer. We talk about change, add our names to endless online petitions, and scrawl our protest on cardboard signs in permanent ink because we know these decisions will impact our lives, and we know we must do something.

Yet, during the last General Election of 2015 that saw the Conservative party re-elected, only 43% of 18-24 year olds bothered to vote. This was the lowest of all age groups, with just over half (54%) of 25-34 year olds voting giving them the second lowest voter turnout.

The statistics from 2015, and the 2016 EU Referendum show that people under 55 are more likely to vote for liberal policies – the majority of over 55s voted Leave compared to 75% of under 24-year-olds who voted Remain. Despite this clear distinction between the old and the young, only 53% of under 24s voted in the Referendum. However, that’s 10% more than in the 2015 General Election.

It is SO IMPORTANT for young people to vote. We have to unify and begin to heal as a country. If we don’t engage one another now, the place we grew up, live and work in, will become more and more oppressive.”

Gallery: Hate zine

How do you feel the outcome of this election could impact you? How might it impact your peers in your industry and friends? And more broadly, our generation?

“A conservative victory would reaffirm the problems facing any opposition parties, which is a depressing concept. We despise the Tories and their policies – they are actively working against us; the majority, but currently it feels as though there is no united opposition.

The broad range of careers that the creative industries facilitate are under threat. There is no outwardly obvious attack but looking at the bigger picture, the policies on housing, protection for freelance work, zero hours contracts, increasing tuition fees and the reduction in arts-based A Levels and time spent teaching these subjects in state schools all signify that the arts are seriously undervalued by our society.

The Tories represent pure capitalism at its most repulsive, needless greed that knows no bounds. It’s shockingly disgusting how many people’s lives can be easily torn to pieces because of the selfishness of this party. Arts are not valued because there is no immediate financial gain. We know the benefits to mental health and quality of life, but Theresa May and her cabinet couldn’t care less about your anxiety. If you don’t make money you’re a drain to the Big Society.

“Theresa May and her cabinet couldn’t care less about your anxiety.”

Working as an artist or musician or writer is famously underpaid. It’s pretty clear that with rising rents in London and no protection on current rates, the few who are able to stick at it long enough can afford internships, working for free, and the cost of materials.

If the Tories are re-elected it will really affect our generation and the damage they could do will be felt for generations to come.”

Anything else you’d like to say on the subject?

“Think about the future: it’s too important to sit back and let other people decide where our country is headed.”

(Statistics: IPSOS-MORI.)

The UK General Election of 2017 will take place this Thursday, 8th June. To find your nearest polling station, head here.
For more information on the election, refer to this excellent guide by the BBC, here.