OUR SAY: Brexit proves voters take matters into own hands

BREXIT vote should give our major political parties pause for thought about how they interact with the Australian people.

The Sun's front page in support of Britain leaving the European Union.

THE United Kingdom's astonishing Brexit vote had no automatic effect on Australian politics but it has dominated the past few days of electioneering.

The Coalition has taken advantage of the resulting uncertainty to try to convince voters it has a steady hand for troubled times.

No matter what influence it has on the result on Saturday, the Brexit vote should give our major political parties pause for thought about how they interact with the Australian people.

The early interpretation of the vote indicates the push to leave Europe was the result of voters feeling as if they have been left behind by their politicians.

If the expected high vote for independents materialises on Saturday, it will be for similar reasons.

In this age of social media, every voter has their own personal megaphone and also their own source of information.

The big parties are discovering they no longer have as much control over the political messages as they once enjoyed.

To counter this they need to get closer to their constituents and open the doors to their local branches and the decision making processes.

Brexit proves that if they don't, voters will take matters into their own hands.

Originally published as OUR SAY: Brexit proves voters take matters into own hands