Open letter from artists and creatives urging citizens to register to vote ahead of the upcoming voter registration deadline.
We, the undersigned, come together as creatives and artists, recognising the immense power held within each voice, especially those often underrepresented in our society.
Art and creativity shapes and reflects the diverse experiences of our communities. It’s vital that politics does too, and that everyone’s voice is heard in our democracy.
But in Britain today, as many as 8 million people are not registered to vote at their current address. Turnout of younger voters has been falling considerably. New rules requiring photo ID risk excluding hundreds of thousands of citizens, and disproportionately affecting poorer people, those with disabilities and people from minority ethnic backgrounds.
We, the undersigned, stand united in our belief that participation in elections is not just a right, but a profound responsibility—one that should extend to everyone, at the heart of a vibrant democracy.
That is why we urge you to join us in registering to vote for the upcoming local elections before the deadline of 23:59 on Tuesday 16 April, at https://qrco.de/giveanx. Remember, you are also eligible to register if you are a qualifying EU or Commonwealth citizen.
We join hands with the young people leading the Give an X campaign in emphasising the importance of young people shaping the future, and we urge each and every citizen to claim their seat at the table.
Voting is not just casting a ballot; it is narrating the stories of our communities and painting a vision of a better tomorrow. In the face of huge challenges nationally and globally, that has never been more important.
Let’s all of us write the next chapter together. We Give an X – will you?
Signed,
Michael Sheen – Actor
Brian Cox - Actor
Paapa Essiedu – Actor
Meera Syal CBE – Actor and writer
Armando Iannucci OBE – Writer, director, producer and performer
Amelia Dimoldenberg – Comedian and presenter
Billy Bragg – Singer and songwriter
Samuel West – Actor and director
Sharon Gaffka – TV personality
Es Devlin CBE – Artist and designer
Ahir Shah – Comedian
Ralf Little – Actor and writer
James Graham OBE – Playwright
Sir Stephen Frears – Director
Sanjeev Bhaskar – Actor and comedian
Mei Mac – Actor
Sally Lindsay – Actor
Siobhán McSweeney – Actor and presenter
Misan Harriman – Photographer and Chair of the Southbank Centre
Sir Alistair Spalding CBE – Artistic Director, Sadler's Wells
Alice Aedy – Photographer, filmmaker and CEO of Earthrise Studio
David Lan CBE – Writer, producer and director
Georgia Harrison – TV personality
Kwame Kwei-Armah OBE – Artistic Director, Young Vic Theatre
Timothy Sheader – Artistic Director, Donmar Warehouse
Henny Finch – Executive Director, Donmar Warehouse
Paule Constable – Lighting designer and Associate Director of the National Theatre
Daniel Lismore – Sculptor and designer
Ed Jones – Comedian
Luke McQueen – Comedian
Elliot Levey – Actor
Seeta Indani – Dancer and actor
Joseph Henry – Architect
Charlie Condou – Actor
Jamie Carragher – Writer
Ania Magliano – Comedian
John O'Farrell – Author and scriptwriter
Emily Berrington – Actor
Bill Bankes-Jones – Director and Artistic Director of Tête à Tête
Rebecca Hendin – Illustrator
Natalie Gold – Actor
Jack Guinness – Writer and founder of The Queer Bible
Joe Bailey – CEO, Brighten the Corners/Out Loud Music
Queenie Miller – Comedian
Michael French – Head of Games London
Joseph Zeal-Henry – Director, Sound Advice
Sacha Lord – Co-founder of The Warehouse Project & Parklife festival
Sam Evans – Musical Director
Estelle van Warmelo – Director
Bernard Donoghue OBE – CEO, Association of Leading Visitor Attractions
Stephen Skeet – Director of Business Development and Impact, Volunteering Matters
Kayleigh Wainwright – Director of Youth Sector Innovation, UK Youth
Jack Gamble – Director, Campaign for the Arts
Mete Coban MBE – CEO, My Life My Say
Lauren Kay-Lambert – Co Managing Director, Shape History
Sami Gichki – Co-Chair of the #iWill Movement
Joe Bailey - CEO, Brighten The Corners
Simon Glenister - CEO, Noise Solution
Professor Francis Corner OBE - Warden, Goldsmiths University of London
Give an X is powered by My Life My Say, Shape History and the iWill Movement.