Patients resident in mental hospitals may now register to vote, unless they have been detained under certain sections of the Mental Health Act 1983 or are convicted offenders.
(Source: Electoral Commission guidelines)
DID you know that? No, nor me.
I never imagined for a minute people weren't previously allowed to vote because of a mental health condition. Shows what I know.
Today I read a blog post by a mum called Zoe Smith, a Labour Party activist who couldn't bear to look at the news.
It wasn't because she wanted to hide behind the sofa in case the Conservatives romped home to a clear majority, it's because she's ill.
And in her post also published by Mind, Zoe tells of her experience from inside a psychiatric ward yesterday:
She says:
I do not know what I'm going to do today, I don't know whether I can face watching election coverage on TV- I've hidden from news in all formats for at least 16 days. I've steered clear of Twitter and Facebook and put myself in an electionless bubble. It'll be the first election night I haven't spent at a count or sat up, feet aching, glued to the TV.
I nearly lost my right to vote yesterday but after considering my future career (whatever that is) the psychiatrist decided to hold off. The truth is I don't think I can vote, not for somebody else, not in "my" seat. I am ashamed to even say it but in terms of a triggering event I can't imagine anything more difficult than going to the polling station and putting an X next to where my name should've been and could've been had other shown the enduring loyalty I often extend to others. So I will keep myself occupied today agonising over whether I think I can use my right to vote and vote for someone else in my seat in my election.
I found Zoe's post really moving. I hope you can read the rest of it and send her some love across t'internet. She's asking for friendly messages on Twitter (@zoe_smith)
Go on, why not send her one?
Comments