Not sure if you are registered to vote? We are bringing a ‘democracy roadshow’ to Widnes Market this Friday, where Halton Borough Council officers will be there to answer all your questions.

The inaugural National Democracy Week kicks off on Monday 2 July 2018, the 90th anniversary of the 1928 Equal Franchise Act which gave women the same voting rights as men.

As well as missing out on your opportunity to vote, not being on the electoral register also affects your credit rating, as lenders will check the electoral register before agreeing to loans, mobile phone contracts etc.

Cllr Mike Wharton, Halton Borough Counci’s Executive Board Member for Resources, said:: “Regardless of who we are or where we are from, we must work together to ensure that every member of society has an equal chance to participate in our democracy and to have their say.”

“National Democracy Week is a nationwide week-long celebration of democracy in society, including events, talks and fun activities, an opportunity to celebrate progress and champion future democratic participation in this historic Centenary year of Suffrage.

“I often hear people saying that they are not interested in politics, and that they disagree with politicians. But if you don’t register and don’t vote you won’t be able to have your say and won’t be able to change things.

“Politics affects everything around us, including roads and bin collections, education, licensing, housing and much, much more. You may think you don’t want to vote now, but if an issue comes up that you want to have your say on, if you’re on the register you’ll have the chance to vote on it.”

If you can’t make it to our roadshow it will only take five minutes to register online at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

The aim of the week nationwide is to:

• Increase the number of people who are more likely to participate in democratic decision making;
• Increase in voter registration;
• Improving understanding of the barriers to democratic engagement; and
• Showing that in working together, we are greater than the sum of our parts.

Officers will be at Widnes Market from 9.30am to 3.30pm on Friday