Reflecting on the general election: what if your party did not win?

After a landslide victory for the Labour Party, change is at the forefront of many people’s minds in the UK. PM Keir Starmer seems to be wasting no time in his plans, stating on Friday that “our work is urgent, and we begin today.”

The Labour Party now faces a battle to shake up the country for the better, with Starmer echoing the idea that the new Labour government is about change – but will this extend to mental health and wellbeing?

Starmer has pledged to “overhaul” the mental health approach of the country, which may come as a sign of relief to many who are struggling with their mental wellbeing. The Labour Party plans to recruit 8,500 more mental health staff to help tackle the mental health crisis that the UK has been facing since the pandemic and the cost-of-living crisis.

In the UK, 1 in 4 people will experience mental health challenges of some kind each year. But in the last few years, mental health support has seen long waiting times and less than adequate mental health support, putting some of the most vulnerable people at risk.

Millions of people voted for Labour at this General Election, but what about those who were voting for a different outcome?  Maybe you were hoping for a different result? What do you do now?

It might be frustrating and hopeless if your favoured party fell short in the election. However, there are still many ways you can be involved, make changes, and raise awareness around key issues, particularly mental health.

What to do if your political party did not win the election:

• Stay engaged and informed

Staying engaged and informed within the politics is important, even when your political party of choice is not in power. Keeping up-to-date and informed about key issues, allows you to understand what is happening, how the current political party is coping with and responding to this challenge, and how you could help.

This should be especially key for issues you are passionate about and would like to change. With this knowledge, you will be able to hold elected officials accountable and monitor their actions. Respond to their actions, or non-actions, through writing letters and public forums.

• Support elected officials

Despite your favoured party not holding power, it’s important to show your support to your elected officials by campaigning and spreading awareness about the issues you are most interested in and passionate about if you want to insight change.

Even if they are from a different party, work with your elected officials on common issues that you believe in, such as a boost in mental health care. 

• Advocate for your issues

Feeling passionate about issues the UK faces is necessary for good and appropriate change within the political system. Even though your political party isn’t in power, it is always necessary to advocate for the issues you think are crucial. You can do this by writing to your elected official, using social media, and communicating with your local community.

• Promote voter engagement

Like you, voters could feel deflated after a loss in the general election if they were hoping for a different outcome. However, voter engagement is a vital part of making significant changes to policies. Representation is vital when making political changes, so encouraging more people to join your cause could be the reason changes are made.

Encourage people to be engaged through public forums, like social media, and leafletting around your local area.

• Educate others

To get support, you need to educate other people as much as possible on why you think your opinions and beliefs mean a better chance for the UK.

The more people you educate, the more support you will gather to push forward your key issues. Engage with people within your community through leafletting door-to-door on challenges and necessary changes you believe are important.