by Lamiat Sabin

WOMEN who do not vote today are the “the biggest travesty,” said a union organiser in a last-minute call to the polling station.

Nine million women failed to cast ballots in the last general election and it would be a shame to have a repeat of that scale, GMB national organiser for the NHS and co-founder of People’s March for the NHS Rehana Azam told the Star yesterday.

Mothers and daughters have “far more to lose” under a Tory government as they take on the majority of care duties, often while holding down demanding jobs, she said.

Women — who are also the main users of and providers in the NHS — can do their bit to save it from profiteers by voting for a party that will repeal the Health and Social Care Act and encouraging their family, co-workers and friends to do the same, Ms Azam advised.

If Prime Minister David Cameron remains in Downing Street, his health Act — that enables the dismantling and marketisation of the public health sector — will still be in place.

In contrast, Labour has pledged to abolish the act to stop the NHS being driven into the ground.Ms Azam said: “Women hold the balance of power. The biggest disservice we do to the brilliant women who secured us the vote is to have this apathetic approach to politics.

“With the bedroom tax, that Labour has pledged to abolish, we made them listen to us. Women died so we can get the right to vote. It would be the biggest travesty if we did not.” She said that women had a “bad deal” from the millionaire Con-Dem coalition.