By MDX Journalism student Jennifer Igiri

The dust has finally settled, and the madness of student elections week campaigning has drawn to a halt.

The results are in, the celebrations have been had, and the excitement of new plans being made is still all around. It’s exciting to know that more students voted in this Students’ Union election than ever before at Middlesex – but it’s not time to relax just yet.

If you haven’t already checked out who will be representing YOU, then click here to read the results of Election Week.

As we think back with fondness about the crazy campaigning strategies that were used to get people voting, I want to encourage you to look forward with excitement towards the May general election.

I get it. You may be completely done with elections, and annoyed about the fact that everyone is continually harping on about why you need to vote. Let me encourage you to reconsider any negativity or nonchalance you might have towards the elections.

As students, we have an extraordinary collective ability to swing the vote any way we chose. The reason that voting is essential is that it allows us to take the power offered to us, to be a part of constructing the political landscape for students, and to ensure we have our say in who will be governing our country! If we don’t take the opportunity to vote, then we’re denying ourselves the right to live in and experience true democracy.  If we don’t vote, we’re allowing the government to take all liberties and get away with implementing unfair courses of action – like increasing tuition fees.

Think about the impact that can be had if every student takes the opportunity to vote, and really has their say. The phrase ‘every vote counts’ is true – in the last general election in 2010, the Hendon seat was won by 106 votes out of a total of 46,371 votes cast. And in our recent Students’ Union elections, the Vice President for Health, Education, Science and Technology was won by ONLY ONE VOTE!

If you’re still not convinced, you should really check out websites like Bite the Ballot, or come to one of the general election events on campus. On Monday 23rd, pop along to MDX House at 5pm to quiz local politicians on issues that you care about, or head to the Swing the Vote workshop to find out the power behind your vote, and how to get your voice heard.

MDXSU are doing a lot of things to encourage voting, and to ensure that every student is well informed – check out www.mdxsu.com/motivatemdx to find out more.

You can read more from Jennifer at writtenandtyped.wordpress.com.