Chuka joins forces with Stephen Fry to Promote Votematch
This week, Chuka attended the launch of Votematch, a new application which aims to boost turnout at the upcoming European elections. The event, organised by the pressure group UnlockDemocracy, was held at Apple’s flagship Central London store in Regent Street and hosted by actor and comedian Stephen Fry.
The event showcased the Votematch application, which allows people to see how closely aligned their own views are with parties standing in the European elections. After answering a series of policy-based questions and deciding which issues matter most to them, users can see how their responses compare with party positions on each issue, and how closely each party’s manifesto as a whole matches their own views, with the aim of encouraging them to vote in the European elections. Introducing the application, Stephen Fry described it as being “like a dating site for voters”.
Commenting on the launch and on his support for Votematch, Chuka said: “Anything that can help boost voter turnout is a good idea, and combining democracy and new technology will help engage people who might not have voted otherwise, especially young people. For the European elections, it is imperative that all mainstream parties encourage people to get out and vote, not least so that we can prevent the BNP from gaining representation.”
Vote Match is accessible both online and via handheld devices such as the iPhone, and has been successful in boosting voter turnout elsewhere in Europe. Take the Votematch test here.
