Casting a ballot in the UK election makes me feel I belong

I always thought the first time I ever voted it would be in Ireland.

It was my entitlement, my privilege as a citizen, one that isn’t afforded by so many other countries around the world. Yet in the decade since I turned 18, not once has that opportunity actually materialised for me.

It was adventure travel at first, early 20-something “finding myself” trips that meant I was absent for any election or referendum I could have participated in. That was my own choice of course, and I returned to Ireland intending to stay, to start my career, my “proper” adult life as I like to call it.

But after a short time back in Ireland I decided to leave again, this time for a more permanent, or at least semi-permanent, absence to work in publishing in London. A settled life here now means I will cast my first ever vote not in Ireland, but in the UK come their election day next week.

I still say “their” when discussing things in the UK and “our” when it comes to anything Irish. Those feelings of being an outsider lingered with me for quite some time after moving here. Yet now, after six years, I’m more of an outsider in Ireland, just a visitor on trips back. That’s sometimes hard of course, but I’m also incredibly proud of the life I’ve been able to establish away from home. For me, emigrating wasn’t a negative thing, but an opportunity.

It says a lot that I probably know more now about UK politics than I do Irish. At first I stayed in tune with what was happening back home but over time the connection, and possibly interest, has eroded. Even if I had a postal vote for Ireland I’m not sure I would feel right casting it; at least not unless I was considering returning in the immediate future.

During the last UK election in 2010 I was still a relative newcomer here, unsure how long I would stay and definitely not willing to throw my opinion into their political waters. Over the years though, as I was afforded more opportunities to expand my career and life here, the options for moving elsewhere or back to Ireland have faded. So this time around, I knew I wanted to add my voice to the electorate, I wanted my say. I’ve worked hard here, and registering gave me a sense of belonging I haven’t had in some time.

From a personal perspective it will be a significant day. I’ll be voting for the first time at the age of 29. I would have liked that first vote to have been in Ireland of course, but an Irish vote no longer holds the same significance for me as it once would have.

Who I will actually vote or has yet to be decided. Labour, Conservative, Lib Dem or Green, each with their merits, each with their shadows. Politics no matter where you are is always the same; campaign promises, candidate gaffes, media overload. But I am genuinely excited to cast my vote, probably more so than others who I talk to about it; the campaign here has been chastised by many for being too dull.

But as would be the case if I were in Ireland, it will be the party that offers the best prospects for me here that will win my vote. One thing I am sure of though is that my ballot certainly won’t say Ukip.