For the youth of today Politics is often a distant and sometimes boring subject. Yet for the older generation it’s often a non-stop debate on how our country, and world, is run. So is it true that young people have lost faith in Politics? And if so, who’s to blame? MP’s, perhaps the media; or even the stereotype of boring old men in pin stripe suits?
As first year Politics and Media students at Bournemouth University we were fortunate enough to gain access to a political conference (no sarcasm intended) that involved MP’s from leading Political parties.
Within minutes of the conference opening this issue was already being addressed by Bournemouth University graduate, Felicity Pentland. Felicity’s acclaimed report; titled ‘Apathetic or Uninformed’, focused on the disengagement of today’s youth with politics. Her studies uncovered issues such as a general lack of knowledge towards Politics, a fundamental lack of interest and also a negative view on Politics itself, which (ironically) may be due to the media’s portrayal of politicians.
Felicity’s study fundamentally asked whether Political disengagement amongst young people is due to a lack of information or simply a feeling of apathy.
The study threw up some interesting results. Felicity identified that young voter non-participation, i.e. 18-25’s who don’t bother to vote, is greater than ever. Yet perhaps more worryingly Felicity’s study established cause for concern over the legitimacy of the electoral system itself. Surely questions have to be asked when such a large and influential section of the countries demographic voice isn’t heard.
Yet the study wasn’t all negative. Felicity found that 85% of those surveyed would like a greater Political understanding. This poses a couple of interesting factors to think about. Perhaps Politics and citizenship should be a compulsory part of the national curriculum. Or maybe the MP’s should adapt how they practice their Politics. No longer should an audience be lost with laborious Political jargon where a translator is necessary to understand the basic point trying to be made. Instead, politicians should speak directly to young people on issues that actually affect them, in a language they can understand and, more importantly, relate to.
Felicity concluded her report by addressing a huge talking point in relation to the modern media, politics and engagement with young people. Both qualitative and quantitative research carried out by Felicity established that the introduction of online voting would give more young people the platform and necessary urge to vote. This undoubtedly will become a huge talking point in the near future.
Naturally when representatives of each political party took to the floor different political topics arose.
First to speak was leader of the Green Party, Natalie Bennett. Natalie was very candid when discussing the importance of young people’s engagement with Politics. She spoke of how modern Britain really isn’t meeting the needs of its youngsters, particularly in relation to tuition fees…a point that appropriately riled Liberal Democrat, Annette Brooke.
And the tension didn’t stop there. When it was UKIP member Robin Grey’s turn to address the awaiting audience he made it quite clear in his view politicians are corrupt individuals, with empty slogans. Mr Grey added it’s not surprising that today’s young people find it challenging to trust politicians when they consistently fail to deliver on their promises.
Yet Robin Grey wasn’t finished there. He went on to imply that the going rate a politician charges to ask a question in the House of Commons is somewhere in the region of £1,000. It would be fair to say didn’t go down well with the listening MP’s, especially with Conservative Conor Burns. The outburst of the words ‘say that about one of us and we’ll sue you’ certainly livened up the room.
Labour’s Bob Ainsworth approached from a different angle. Mr Ainsworth wasn’t reluctant to point out that politician’s themselves need to adapt how they practice their Politics. He continued to appeal to a more honest side ‘I can’t promise you huge changes imminently’, his honesty clearly got a positive response from the room, the hope gave interest to those listening, which perhaps draws on a vital point; helping the youth of today believe.
Subsequently there are various reasons for the youth of today’s disengagement with politics; interest, lack of knowledge, dishonest politicians, appalling tuition fees, not to mention the record unemployment for the youth of today. Personally we believe that the youth need to see a reason to help, a vital appeal to them. Politicians preach the youth of today is tomorrow’s future. So why don’t they tell us that?
Vote in the next election. ‘Even if its just a dirty word put into the ballot’ do it. Show you do care, show you won’t be put down to another statistic of simply being complacent with, being honest, the mess of today’s system we are left in. We have to claim our right to mould OUR future, or else we will just become another statistic.
Alun Andrews
