June 2017 - General Election comes to Leigh-on-Sea

As I sit in my office in Leigh Broadway thinking of a suitable article to write this month, there is one thing on most of our minds; the General Election on June 8th 2017.

It can be quite frustrating at times in this job that we retain a neutral position as far as possible when speaking to clients; our personal political view is of no interest to our clients and could impact on a constructive and supportive relationship. Nevertheless and perhaps as no surprise to you most lawyers are quite engaged in politics. And those of you who know me will also know that I find it difficult to stay quiet on the issue of Women’s Rights and I can barely mention the General Election without thinking of the unbelievable fact that it is still less than 100 years since women were allowed to vote! And just as shocking, that it is also less than a 100 years since women were allowed to become solicitors! (it was not until 1919 when the Sex Disqualification Act was passed that women could be admitted to practise law).

So, I thought for all of you out there who are feeling disillusioned about politics, and whether your vote will count for anything I thought this might be my chance to encourage you not to take the right to vote for granted. Can you imagine if we were denied this right? Much is being made of 2018 being the celebration of 100 years since women got the vote; and of course it is something to celebrate. However, we also should remember that the only women that were given the right to vote in 1918 were women over 30 and as long as they were married to or a member of the Local Government Register. Women were not given the same rights as men in terms of being able to vote until 1928. Don’t even get me on the subject of all the other significant dates since then when women have broken through unfair barriers that prevented them from taking part in society in the same way as men! But just one example; the Equal Pay Act was only in 1970; this came about in our very own Essex when women in Dagenham went on strike. However, going to back to the subject of voting in the forthcoming general election; whether or not you feel engaged with the process or enthralled with the choice of candidates, the point is that we do have a choice.

There are still plenty of countries in the world where citizens have no chance to take part in democracy. If the women’s suffrage movement had not fought for the right for women to vote, then we would not have been granted that right and when I think of this, I realise that it is so important to turn out and vote. I personally appreciate the chance to take part in our democracy.

This article is by Melinda Giles at Giles Wilson Solicitors 
For legal advice please call 01702 477 106 or visit one of Giles Wilson's offices: 1711 London Road Leigh, 54 Leigh Broadway, 5 Roche Close Rochford 
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If you would like to put forward a question to Melinda, please comment below or email joanna@leigh-on-sea.com