ELC is a major issue in local elections... so use your vote!

Elections are an essential part of the democratic processes of our country. We vote individuals and political parties into positions of power because we believe that they will best represent our interests, our families and our communities overall. While this is the case every time we take to the ballot boxes (which, let’s face it, we’ve done more than most over the last ten years or so), it rings even more true at local elections, where votes determine who will make up the elected representatives in each of Scotland’s 32 local authorities. 

This vote is really important – legislation, policy and practice are made at Holyrood, but so much of it is put into practice at local level. Yet historically, these elections tend to have a low turnout, both in population terms and compared to others which take place, such as the Scottish and UK Parliaments. Often, this is due to a perception that this vote is somehow not as important as others. How often have you heard someone say that they don’t vote, or they’re not interested in voting, because they’re either ‘not interested’ in politics, or more fundamentally, they believe that politics isn’t relevant to them or their lives? 

This, however, is not the case. Whether people recognise it or not, politics – and more importantly, decisions made by politicians in positions of power, at whatever level – affect significant aspects of everyone’s lives. Whether you’re unhappy about the potholes in your street, the lack of lighting in the local area, the closure of a library, an increase to the cost of a school meal or a planning application you don’t agree with – all of these decisions are debated, considered, and ultimately made by the individuals who will be elected to your local council on Thursday 5th May.

There is no topic more pertinent and relevant at a local level than Early Learning and Childcare (ELC). Yes, the Scottish Government put 1140 hours of funded ELC on the statute books, but we are all too aware that all aspects of this flagship policy are implemented by local authorities. They decide the funded rate in their area. They shape the pattern of hours which are available in their settings. They decide whether to grant a funded place to an eligible 2-year-old, whose family income exceeds the threshold by a minor amount of money, but whose level of need is so significant that it would be detrimental not to allow them access to some form of ELC. They also decide whether to grant funding for a further year of ELC to a child whose family have applied for a school deferral, because they know their child and just don’t feel like they’re ready to enter more formal education. 

These are issues which our sector discusses on a much more frequent basis than we would ever wish to have to. These decisions shape both the running of our settings and services, but also the lives of our youngest children, for whom these important policies were created in the first place.

That’s why it’s so important that we not only use our vote next Thursday, but that we actively encourage friends, family, colleagues, parents/carers and anyone else who doesn’t usually make the trip to the ballot box, to do so. If there’s a stall in your town centre, or if someone chaps on your door canvassing for votes, ask those individuals who are seeking your support what their priorities are for ELC. Read the leaflets that are coming through your door or have a look online at local manifestoes to find out what the candidates and parties are going to do to support the policies which have been made for our children. 

So make sure you head to your polling station next week and exercise your democratic right. Take your dog! Take your kids! Take a snack! Just don’t take a selfie, because that’s not allowed. It’s so important to use your vote in these elections because, after all, democracy is not a spectator sport.