Apathy. It’s the biggest enemy of local democracy along with - some in Trafford would argue - photo ID. The food hall in Altrincham’s thriving Charter Market in the centre of perhaps the borough’s most affluent towns is bustling with potential voters.
In there, the ‘we con’t care’ gold medal goes to one couple, both IT specialists, [mid-30s I’d say] when asked if they’re intending to vote. The man looks me straight in the eye: “We don’t vote,” he said. “We’re not interested. We’ve got busy jobs, children, busy lives. We work long hours. It [local politics] just doesn’t matter to us. We’re happy to be apathetic.”
So I say: “OK, hope you a have a nice day,” and walk away. At this point, a well-known quote from the Anglo-Irish statesman, economist and philosopher Edmund Burke, and MP from the 18th century, springs to mind.
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He said: “For evil to triumph, good people only have to do nothing,” - a strong argument against populations who have allowed extremist totalitarian regimes to seize power. But apathy is not the only enemy, according to the people we encountered in Altrincham and at Stetford’s White Retail Park in the shadow of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.
Married couple David and Morena Mfumo, 34 and 29, respectively, feel strongly that the new regulations which mean people must attend polling stations with photographic ID, like a driving licence, passport or bus pass, are a huge obstacle to voters.
“It’s already hard enough to motivate people to go out and vote,” said Marena. “We live in Old Trafford, a low-income community. Many people here don’t have the resources or the time to dedicate to getting the necessary ID.”
David added: “We will turn up with our ID and we will vote Labour.”
Afsanph Mahdipour is a 38-year-old mother of one who attends Trafford College. She said: “I’m happy with where I live and what the local council is doing. I enjoy living in a diverse community with a mix of people.
"I will vote, but I’m worried about the photo ID issue because it causes an issue for young people, who, for example, may not have a bus pass. I feel it is a of scam by the ruling party to prevent people voting Labour.”
Ellen Baldock, 29, agrees. “There needs to investment in local services, street cleanliness and safety. There needs to be meaningful investment in the future. But I think the photo ID issue is a big obstacle to people voting, but it won’t stop me.”
Retired toy warehouse manager Melvin Prince, 75, also puts street cleaning high on his list of priorities when it comes to choosing who vote for. He said: "The roads a mess and there’s too much vandalism. Off-road motorbikes are a nuisance and I’m sick of people pinching bicycles.”
However, he was favour of the photo ID regulations. “Why shouldn’t people provide identification?” he said. “It’s nothing out of the ordinary. It prevents fraud so it doesn’t bother me.”
Ellie Varnick, 37, is from Iran, and has permission to stay in UK indefinitely, but will not be voting because she can’t get photo ID. “I would vote if I could, because I love it here, but it isn’t going to happen.”
A journey across the borough is punctuated by a stop-off in Urmston town centre. There, 78-year-old retired history teacher Peter Chappell is primed to vote enthusiastically for Labour.
“I’ve never voted to Tory,” he said. “I think the photo ID idea came from the Republican Party in the USA. That’s how Donald Trump got in, and the Conservatives seem to be copying the idea.”
“Trafford has existed for 50 years [since local government reorganisation in 1974] but for 40 of those years it has been controlled by the Conservatives [it is currently under Labour control]. I hope Labour can hold on.”
Joanne Scott, 61, is out walking her pooch when she says: “I agree with the photo ID thing, I think it’s the way forward. It prevents fraud. There’s always the postal vote, also, which is a really good idea.
“I’m new to the area, having moved from Stockport, and I’ve found people here are so much more friendly and easy to get to know.”
On arrival in sunny Altrincham we’re greeted by 71-year-old Neil Robinson, of Timperley, who is sipping a latte outside a Costa. “I don’t normally vote in local elections,” he said.
“Because I’m old and cynical. I have no faith in the political system. I’m very disillusioned with politicians in general.
“The photo ID thing doesn’t cause me a problem. It shouldn’t cause anyone any difficulty, really.”
Nigel Rose, 65, agrees. “I think photo ID is a good idea. I think in the past, the system has been open to fraud. I will vote Conservaitve.
“I think the state of the roads round here are appalling. The surfaces are terrible. I know they are spendi.ng a lot of money in the town centre, but the roads need dealing with.”
Another couple sitting in the shopping centre, won’t give their name. But the woman said: “We won’t vote because they don’t listen to the everyday working people. The potholes near us are terrible. We are always reporting it to the council, but they’re not interested. It’s a waste of time.”
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