'We’re not interested. We’ve got busy jobs, children, busy lives' - worrying voter apathy in Trafford

Apathy. It’s the biggest enemy of local democracy along with - some in Trafford would argue - photo ID. The food hall in Altrincham’s thriving Charter Market in the centre of perhaps the borough’s most affluent towns is bustling with potential voters.

In there, the ‘we con’t care’ gold medal goes to one couple, both IT specialists, [mid-30s I’d say] when asked if they’re intending to vote. The man looks me straight in the eye: “We don’t vote,” he said. “We’re not interested. We’ve got busy jobs, children, busy lives. We work long hours. It [local politics] just doesn’t matter to us. We’re happy to be apathetic.”

So I say: “OK, hope you a have a nice day,” and walk away. At this point, a well-known quote from the Anglo-Irish statesman, economist and philosopher Edmund Burke, and MP from the 18th century, springs to mind.

READ MORE: Join the FREE Manchester Evening News WhatsApp community

He said: “For evil to triumph, good people only have to do nothing,” - a strong argument against populations who have allowed extremist totalitarian regimes to seize power. But apathy is not the only enemy, according to the people we encountered in Altrincham and at Stetford’s White Retail Park in the shadow of Manchester United’s Old Trafford stadium.

Married couple David and Morena Mfumo, 34 and 29, respectively, feel strongly that the new regulations which mean people must attend polling stations with photographic ID, like a driving licence, passport or bus pass, are a huge obstacle to voters.

“It’s already hard enough to motivate people to go out and vote,” said Marena. “We live in Old Trafford, a low-income community. Many people here don’t have the resources or the time to dedicate to getting the necessary ID.”

David added: “We