100 years on – your vote still matters

Women are celebrating 100 years of having the vote – and are urging residents to ensure they are on the electoral register in good time for May’s local elections.

Today (6 February 2018) marks the centenary of the Representation of the People Act when women aged over 30 and with property were given the right to vote for the first time.

Councillor Andrea Simpson, deputy leader of Bury Council, said: “It now seems incredible that, while the nation was gripped by the terrible and seismic effects of the First World War, half of its people did not have a say in how the country was run and by whom.

“It shows how much our society has changed over the last century as far as women’s rights are concerned; here at the council, for instance, the majority of our employees are women and three of our four most senior jobs are held by women.

“People fought for many years to achieve the rights and freedoms that today we often take for granted. Democracy can be a fragile thing, and one that needs to be sustained every day of the week.

“If you’re not already on the voters’ roll, please remember to register by 17 April so you can have your say in the elections on 3 May.”

The council’s elections office can be contacted on 0161 253 5252.

You can register to vote at https://www.gov.uk/register-to-vote

ENDS

Press release issued: 6 February 2018.