Interview with Councillor Belinda Brooks-Gordon

Sean:  What do Councillors do?

Belinda:  They do lots of things at a local level, dealing with important things like street lights, getting those mended, getting pavements mended.  Also large things like education and transport, making sure that public transport is reliable and accessible.

And also lots of social services: fostering services, adoption services and carers.

Sean:  Do you think it's important for disabled people to register to vote?

Belinda:  If people who are disabled and learning disabled don't register to vote, it means they can't vote and it also means that their voice is less likely to be heard unfortunately, because voting is how, democratically, things can get done.  It gives them more of a voice and more of a chance to get society moved to be fairer and more accessible.

Sean:  Do you have a message for people with learning disabilities to encourage them to register to vote?

Belinda:  Yes.  We are here to help you as Councillors.  By voting it means that your voice is heard more easily.  And that politicians, who want your vote, they are more likely to take account of people's needs when they know they are going to vote for them.  And that sounds quite cynical, but it is also a way for disabled people to use their power as a voter, because democracy is so important and it is so powerful having a vote.

Sean:  When we asked people with learning disabilities why they don't vote, they said they don't understand the information that comes through the door.  How can you change this?

Belinda:  Well, I think that's a good question.  And that makes me quite sad because it means that we as politicians, local politicians and national politicians, have failed if people aren't understanding it. So I think it's a very good idea for politicians to make sure that the material that they deliver is understandable and simple and clear.