LAST week the Irish people made history when Ireland became the first country in the world to legalise same sex marriage through popular vote. The vote was overwhelming: 62 per cent in favour, with every constituency, bar one, returning a yes vote.

Airports were busy as Irish citizens returned to cast their votes. Social media was buzzing with reports of people delaying holidays abroad so they could vote. Campaigners, commentators and celebrities from around the world weighed in with thoughts and comments.

The result certainly showed how far Ireland has travelled in a short space of time. It’s only 20 years since they decriminalised homosexual acts. It points to the declining power of the Catholic Church in Ireland, with the Archbishop of Dublin acknowledging that they now needed a “reality check”.

But it also showed the determination of people, young people in particular, to engage in politics when politics is about things that matter to them. The yes vote was strongest in urban areas and strongest among young voters.

I was reminded of last September’s Scottish independence referendum; 85 per cent turn out (the highest ever recorded in the UK) characterised once again by young people’s interest, passion and enthusiasm.

Politics is about the way we organise ourselves, the stuff that makes a difference to our daily lives. Which is why referenda – when people have a chance to have their say on a single issue and where a simple ‘yes’ ‘no’ means that every vote counts – have a much higher turnout than a general election, which this time seemed to have been reduced to little more than point scoring among a political elite. In 1945, Britain voted to establish the National Health Service. In 2015, we chose how fast we wanted to bring down the deficit. Who cannot fail to be inspired by nationhood, equality and human rights. I wonder if the proposed vote on our membership of the EU will get as many pulses racing.

What about democracy on our doorstep? Just one in three of us bothered to vote in the 2013 local elections. I can’t remember who I voted for in the council or city council elections, but Wiltshire Council is responsible for our local infrastructure, from roads to refuse collection, schools to social services; and the city council for many of the things that give Salisbury its character – from the Guildhall to the Charter Market, the open spaces to the Christmas lights. Not in the same league as independence or gay rights, I grant you – but issues that affect our quality of life and how we can make Salisbury special for everyone that lives here.

So thank you Ireland – for your resounding vote in favour of equality, human rights and dignity – and for reminding us that passion and politics isn’t the prerogative of a professional ruling class, when politics is about things that matter.