Politically Speaking - May 8 2007
The local elections that took place last week were much talked about. Pundits and columnists speculated as to what the results would be and talked about what they would mean for the Labour Party.
One aspect of the elections that has not been as fervently discussed, and an issue that goes to the very core of our country and our democracy, is the question as to whether young people are not interested in politics.
During the local elections, I have been out and about in different parts of my constituency, meeting with voters and discussing the future of the country. It is disconcerting to knock on doors and find that some young people are 'not interested in politics' or 'don't believe in voting'. In our area, and in area's across the country, the votes of those 'not interested' in voting could mean the difference between one party winning or another. There are many usual responses that I am sure all of us have heard 'if you don't vote, you can't complain' has left many lips, 'Women died for you to get the vote' is also much uttered (and very true in the case of women, who were universally given the vote, at the age of 21, in 1928). I tend to agree with those sentiments in general but they do not solve the problem.
It is vital that young people be engaged in the political process. So many of the big issues that are discussed and decided now will create the future for the young people of today. Issues such as the Iraq War, renewal of Trident, University tuition fees and the privatisation of public services will create a world that will exist long after my generation has departed. Young people need to take notice; they need to be engaged because they will live in the world that is being created.
It is, however, not all doom and gloom. I receive letters from across the county, from young people who want to come to Parliament and experience what everyday life is like in Westminster. Young Labour groups (and such groups for other parties) across the country provide a forum for young people who want to be involved with others who share their political views. Student political organisations offer avenues for activism and the UK Youth Parliament offers a real taste of political life – from elections, to debating issues, to making decisions. Protest marches across the country are filled with young people who care enough about issues to take to the street with signs and songs.
I was especially heartened when walking around my constituency recently. I ran into a group of young people who had previously attended a high school in the area. I got to talking to this group of young adults; we discussed politics and the world in general. All of these young men and women engaged in the conversation and had real views and opinions about the issues. Some disagreed with me, they had their own ideas, but whether they agreed with more not, it filled me with hope to hear the arguments coming from them and the obvious thought that had gone into forming their opinions.
There is a challenge ahead to ensure that young people do think about politics. This need not always mean the 'big issues' like war and nuclear weapons, politics guides the everyday. What time the pub closes, who gets free bus travel, how much you have to pay for education (or if you have to pay at all), what the minimum amount a person can earn each hour is – these are all matters that touch our everyday lives and that are influenced by local government and by central government. The people who ultimately make these decisions are put there by the votes of the general public. Voting is the democratic way to have a say in the everyday, as well as on the 'big issues' we face.
If you would like to contact me on these issues or on any other, please call my constituency office on (01977) 722290 or email JTrickett@jontrickett.org.uk.
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Thursday 24 May 2012
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