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Chinese Voters Prepare for May 1st
13th April 2008
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The turnout for Sunday’s “British Chinese (BC) Register to Vote” campaign in London’s Chinatown was a great success, despite the poor weather.
Prospective voters arrived early to complete their registration forms in time for the 5pm deadline on Wednesday April 16th. Urged on by DJ’s from the local Chinese radio station, Spectrum, and community leaders, members of the public were reminded to register and cast their vote on May 1st. Voter apathy and passing the political buck are traits commonly attributed to the Chinese, but many people from the community, some who have lived in the UK for 40 years or more commented, it is not apathy that deters them from voting but the lack of understanding and communication. Many reportedly felt that the politicians did not understand and they in turn could not communicate their needs. |
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But it seems that the tide is gradually changing. Gary MH Li, Chairman of COCA UK, one of the organisers said, “I am encouraged by the growing number of Chinese faces putting themselves forward and holding office within local councils, those that have withheld their right to vote for decades are now putting their hands up and registering as a show of unity and support.”
For others, registration had other meanings. Mr Foo who having gained his British Citizenship just last year said that he felt that voting was a civic duty and being on the electoral register also meant convenience particularly when applying for finance and other things. Lawyer Christine Lee, who jointly initiated the Register to Vote campaign explained: “Whatever the reason for voting, we hope that the British Chinese community will turn out in force for the elections on May 1st. If we don’t use our votes, we have no voice.” Representatives from all three major parties, including Labour MP Barry Gardiner, and Chinese candidates for the coming May elections were in attendance to support the campaign.  The BC Register to Vote event forms part of the Get Active UK campaign 2008 – a collaboration between the BC Project, Confederation of Chinese Associations UK, the London Chinatown Chinese Association, Christine Lee and the CY (Chinese Youth) Radio Project to encourage active citizenship by the UK Chinese population. Special thanks goes to all the media who have kindly supported us, including, Sing Tao Newspaper, Dragon Page Media, EU Chinese Journal, UK-Chinese Times,Chinese Business Gazette, Spectrum Radio 558AM Chinese Community Network and BBC London, Phoenix CNE TV, TVBS-Europe and many others. Please get in touch if you have any suggestions for us. Share with us your news and information about your community groups and GetActive.UK.com will publish it for you FREE. For enquiries, please email us at: info@getactive.uk.com COMING UP: GetActive.UK.com will be hosting a “How to Vote” event on SUNDAY 27th April 2008 (12pm-4pm) in London’s Chinatown. Details of this event will be supplied shortly. |
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