A resident at HC-One’s Adelaide House Care Home in Walton-on-Thames, Surrey, has recently exercised her right to vote by attending her nearest polling station at St. Andrews Church on Hersham Road, Walton-on-Thames to vote in the General Election.
Margaret Bets, also known as Margo, is 99 years old and will be turning 100 years old on 24th October this year. Margaret moved into Adelaide House in November 2022 and is originally from Cumberland in the North West.
She was accompanied to the polling station by Slawomir Janik, Home Manager and Bronwyn Dobie, Wellbeing Coordinator from Adelaide House.
Margaret was born in 1924 at a time when women did not have the same equal right to vote as men until the Equal Franchise Act in 1928 was passed which allowed women over the age of 21 to vote and achieve the same voting rights as men, increasing the number of women eligible to vote from 8.5 million to 15 million.
Margaret has always voted and was keen to exercise her democratic right to vote in the recent General Election, as this may be the last time she will be able to vote in her lifetime.
Margaret grew up in a household that always showed an interest in politics and previously worked in banking as well as in the Civil Service.
When asked why she believes it’s important to vote, Margaret Bets commented:
"If you don't take the time to give your opinion by voting, you shouldn't have the right to criticise any of it."
Slawomir Janik, Home Manager at Adelaide House Care Home said:
“We were more than happy to accompany Margaret on her trip to the polling station to vote in the General Election. It brings us great joy to be able to assist our residents with the opportunity to do something that is important to them and for Margo, this was allowing her the freedom to vote.”