Archant’s Ham&High newspaper has launched a #MakeYourMark campaign calling on voters to register by the April 20 deadline so they can have their say in England’s tightest three-way marginal seat, Hampstead and Kilburn, on May 7.
In 2010, there were just 42 votes separating victors Labour with candidate Glenda Jackson and the Conservatives, with the Liberal Democrats around 800 votes short of the winners.
But staggeringly in 2010, there were reportedly 17,000 missing voters in Hampstead and Kilburn who were not registered.
Parliamentary candidates and famous local residents have already backed the campaign urging Hampstead and Kilburn constituents to ensure they are registered to vote in next month’s nail-biting general election.
Bestselling author Kathy Lette, a Labour supporter who lives in South Hampstead, is backing the #MakeYourMark campaign.
She said: “This is a nail-biting, cliff hanger election and every vote counts. It’s appalling to me that nine million British women don’t vote. Be an exercise junkie: exercise your right to vote. If you don’t vote for the society you want, you can’t complain about it.”
Hampstead actor Tom Conti, a passionate Tory, said: “If you want your life to get better then engage with the country. I think everyone should vote. You have a right, you should embrace it.”
Ham&High editor-in-chief, Geoff Martin, said: “The Hampstead and Kilburn seat was on a knife edge last time around when only a few dozen votes decided the outcome. It could be as close this time around and we think it will be. People need to vote if they are to end up with the MPs and government they want and we’re working hard to make sure every voice in the constituency is heard on May 7.”
News editor Emma Youle said: “It only takes a few minutes to register to vote and in Hampstead and Kilburn every vote really will count. All the predictions show this election is too close to call and the eyes of the country will be on Hampstead and Kilburn on election night. We hope as many of the missing 17,000 voters as possible sign up to have their say before the April 20 deadline.”
