(1) Everyone has the right to take part in the government of his country, directly or through freely chosen representatives.
(2) Everyone has the right to equal access to public service in his country.
(3) The will of the people shall be the basis of the authority of government; this will shall be expressed in periodic and genuine elections which shall be by universal and equal suffrage and shall be held by secret vote or by equivalent free voting procedures.

My piece of jewellery is a brooch, that when not worn, sits in a rosette that can be hung as a wall plaque. I have chosen the rosette, as it is the traditional symbol for prospective candidates who put themselves forward for election to government, to proudly show their allegiance. The colours of my rosette are those of the suffragettes – purple, white and green. I am eternally grateful to the women (and men) who fought for the right to a female vote and I find it sad that in the UK not everyone uses this hard earned ability to vote.
      It wasn't until 1928 that all women finally had the right to vote, only 81 years ago. I understand that many of us are disillusioned with modern politics but around the world there are dozens of countries where men and women are denied this simple democratic act, or are forced to vote in a rigged system that is a farce. We should take care in the UK to remember this and never take the right to vote for granted.
      “Great Oaks from Little Acorns Grow” so they say. The tree on my brooch is full of little buds waiting to burst open with fresh ideas. This is reflected in the area surrounding the rosette where seven branches representing the seven continents all have their own separate buds ready to ripen and flourish.