Selby needs a break from the same old Westminster politics, that’s why I’m standing as an independent - Nick Palmer

Possibly because both main parties are guilty of deciding, autocratically, what the voters cannot have?

Since the 2019 general election, each of the main parties has ditched at least one democratically elected leader, to suit the whim of their Parliamentary party.

The media give numerous examples of moral decline within the ‘Westminster bubble’, and simultaneously present any political dialogue or election as a largely binary choice. The message to voters is ‘take it or leave it’.

Many voters have either given up on the idea of voting, or else can not decide for whom they should vote. This despair is not healthy, especially in the younger generations.

The real reasons why people refuse to register for a vote, or why registered voters don’t turnout are unknown. As a result, our democracy ignores huge numbers of citizens; why?

My professional skill set involves ‘Lean thinking’, which relates to process improvement. In my world ‘voice of the customer’ feedback is critical to improving any process.

If our democracy does not have an effective feedback loop, society cannot improve.

So which message do we really want to send to Westminster? ‘More of the same’, or ‘something fresh’?

Many voters are so distracted by the binary choice presented by the media, that they panic at the thought of voting for anyone other than the two main parties.

Some voters have told me that independent candidates ‘split the vote’. But democracy means giving power to the people. Tactical voting by individuals strikes me as evidence of a broken democracy.

This Westminster by-election is notable for the pointless nature of the exercise.

The day after the by-election, Rishi Sunak will still be Prime Minister with a healthy majority, and Sir Keir Starmer, the Leader of the Opposition.

If a main party wins they will, no doubt, ignore the numbers of non-voters. They will, no doubt, interpret any votes cast in desperation as a ringing endorsement for their brand of politics.

Who are they kidding?

Aside from a new name as Selby and Ainsty MP, nothing will change at Westminster until the next general election in 2024.

Which means none of the promises, plans or pledges in this campaign can be delivered until 2024. This uncomfortable situation makes now a perfect time to cast a protest vote. It is because nothing will change at Westminster, that we should register our vote for better politics.

Now is the election to start measuring the reasons and scale of our anger.

If you are undecided, please vote for an independent (hopefully me). Despite what the main parties say, they really won’t notice one more or one fewer MP before 2024.

Nick Palmer is an independent candidate in the Selby and Ainsty by-election.