大象传媒

鈥淵ou鈥檙e joking 鈥� not another one!鈥� That was Brenda from Bristol, back in 2017 when Theresa May surprised the country with a snap poll. A penny for Brenda鈥檚 thoughts as we climb aboard the roller-coaster for our third general election in four years. The pundits are predicting only its unpredictability. The parties are fractured and fraught, the voters are frustrated and fatigued, and Brexit prances through the pantomime. The old safe-seat certainties are crumbling. Campaigners on all sides have been encouraging tactical voting to stop the opposition at all costs. Is that morally acceptable, or should we vote for the candidate we most closely support, even if they have no chance of winning? If our long-held tribal loyalties seem less certain, is that good or bad? Does it shake up candidate complacency or threaten community interests? Is it OK to stand in the voting booth and ask 鈥榃hat鈥檚 in it for me?鈥� or are we there on behalf of all humanity? Perhaps the question is not 鈥楬ow should I vote?鈥�, but 鈥榃hy should I bother?鈥� People fought and died for our right to vote, so is it a moral duty to go to the polling station, even if we spoil our ballot? Or is it wrong to criticise those who stay at home on election day, nursing their anger or their apathy? Featuring Dr Lisa McKenzie, Alan Hamlin, Richard Harries and Professor Lea Yp.

Producer: Dan Tierney.