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Young people and politics

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
Why aren't young people in touch with politics?

Many politicians would like to know the answer, so hopefully when they type the question in google, this page will come up first. What will be your response? (Well, we must pretend they actually care what young people think ;))

My opinion is just that. I feel like the political system is up it's own arse. The people who are elected aren't a) the good ones b) the ones who listen to people but c) the ones who can convince people the best. Of course internationally, having 400 or so politicians who are experts at conning people into going with them is going to be a benefit to the UK.

But anything outside of their small perspective they really dont seem to give a damn. When I write letter to my MP, I get a postcard saying he'll be responding shortly and thats it. When I write letters to other MPs they say it's against the rules to reply so I'll have to get mine to. Utterly ridiculous.

I've never seen one politician come to my school and ask students where it could be improved. 'Education, education, education' my arse. In fact, the only time I've been asked about my views on politics was by a certain charity asking me a questionnaire!

So in conlusion, young people don't feel a part of politics (in my opinion) because it seems like politicians dont even include them in the political process. They dont bother with dialogues about political issues, they dont consult them with regards to how things are, they just dont seem to bother. And for the MPs reading this (hopefully) - don't you dare whinge about how young people don't seem to care about politics. Gets on my nerves so much. We're mostly young people on here (some older) but we all talk about politics until the cows come home.
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Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I concur. Those that should be in charge don't really want to be, so you end up with slimey politicians.

    I often think they're not too bright. When we had a labour representative come to speak to us at 6th form, they'd just started the war in iraq (i think, possibly similar pointless conflict) and he said he didn't like grammar schools or fox hunting or the 11 plus. In a girls grammar school in the heart of pro fox hunting buckinghamshire. Wasn't too bright was he. Our head girl terminated the open questions before he wet his pants in fear though.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I think young people are more in touch with politics than ever (I'm in my forties).However ,I believe most politicians are in it for financial gain and the patronage they can give out and recieve.The senior ones have all came through the same public schools and Oxford/Cambridge colleges.Something wrong there methinks.It has got worse here in Scotland with the '' wee parly'' full of jumped up local councillors finding they have some real power to dictate and lots more of our money to burn.It's young folk who can change things though, so keep at the bastards! John
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I stop giving a damn when it becomes blatantly obvious that no matter what people vote for, the same scum ends up in power. Especially when they've been in power for so long that they don't give a toss about their voters except for a month every four years. Inbetween, two persons in government can decide the nation supports ridiculous stuff like the Iraq war, inequality increases, permanently injured people and the elderly are snubbed, they agree to pollute more and press policies that are overheating the economy.

    It feels that nothing I say or do could possibly make a difference. It's a bit like being depressed. If I don't see a why out, then why try finding it?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    johnnny wrote:
    I think young people are more in touch with politics than ever (I'm in my forties).However ,I believe most politicians are in it for financial gain and the patronage they can give out and recieve.The senior ones have all came through the same public schools and Oxford/Cambridge colleges.Something wrong there methinks.It has got worse here in Scotland with the '' wee parly'' full of jumped up local councillors finding they have some real power to dictate and lots more of our money to burn.It's young folk who can change things though, so keep at the bastards! John

    My current lecturer commented to my class last week that he thought that we had to skip a generation of politicians to get in some new ones that can identify better with the world we currently live in. I thought that was a pretty good idea. On paper, at least. ;)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    johnnny wrote:
    However ,I believe most politicians are in it for financial gain and the patronage they can give out and recieve.

    Given the average MP salary and the salaries that they could be earning in other jobs, I think it's more for the power than the money. Imagine what Blair could be earning as a lawyer and not as PM - just look at his wife!

    johnnny wrote:
    The senior ones have all came through the same public schools and Oxford/Cambridge colleges.Something wrong there methinks.

    Sadly when said people came through the education system, it was the best education available by a country mile unlike today.


    Personally, despite my best efforts, I've become increasingly disillusioned by politics and British politics especially. The problem we have in Britain is that all the parties are virtually the same. Labour and the Tories have been drifting further towards the centre from opposite sides and nobody gives a damn about the Lib Dems. We have no respectable right or left wing parties and so British politics is in stagnation. No-one cares because fuck all gets done. The nanny state tells us what to do and no-one is trying to fight it. The problem we have is that too many people accept the system. In other countries, the system, the order and the balance of things is so fragile that it means that the government is not all powerful and that their position is very much dictated by the will of the people.

    In Ecuador where I lived for 7 months last year, if they don't like something that gets done by the president, the whole country takes to the streets and marches. Does anything like that happen here? Take the war in Iraq. How many people marched to protest it? 1,500,000 (roughly I think). Not a bad figure until you consider that the population of the country is 60 fucking million. Less than 5% of the population came out to protest their views when a hell of a lot more believed that the war was wrong. People have come to accept the system so whole heartedly and so unquestioningly that the government can and does get away with absolute murder. This stagnation and the omnipotence of the system breeds apathy and quite rightly so. No-one can change a damn thing so young people especially have just turned away. I know I have.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Jaloux wrote:
    My current lecturer commented to my class last week that he thought that we had to skip a generation of politicians to get in some new ones that can identify better with the world we currently live in. I thought that was a pretty good idea. On paper, at least. ;)
    Unfortunately good ideas on paper don't count for much (not meant as sarcasm).What did he mean by skipping a generation? Wait 25 years for change? Put teenagers in charge? much as I admire young people,I don't think that would be a great idea.I have two teenage daughters!! I think more people should continue trying to change things and not just the vociferous and insidious minorities who so far have had a disproportionate say in matters.Keep at the bastards! John
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well firstly we have so many distractions... Exams from age 11, pressure to have the latest Nike trainers and Playstation games, so many career choices that it isn't funny. A lot of young people I have met however are interested in politics but either can't be arsed trying to make changes, don't think they can make changes, or go about it and aren't listened to. Also, this isn't the 60's... It isn't cool to wan to change the world.

    At the end of the day we have a lot on our plate now... As I've said, exams from age 11, then secondary school, college and then either work or university... As soon as you leave education you need to get a job... Settle down with somebody, hope you have enough money to pay the rent because you sure as hell won't get a mortgage. Not to mention peer pressure growing up.

    I don't think young people are disinterested, it's just we're too busy doing other things. Personally I am very interested and an activist, I know other people who are too.

    Also, how the hell is a 16 year old working class afro-carrebean boy going to relate to a middle-aged white protestant privately educated school boy?

    Maybe more representation is needed.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I understand the reasons for your apathy but don't give up.I'm afraid to say I'm apathetic myself, but that has more to do with the events of my own life wearing me down over the years and having to concentrate on holding my work/family life together.Individuals may feel they can do little but people must try to voice their beliefs and try to make a difference. John
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Young people ARE involved in politics though, they just aren't involved in the Westminster democratic systems.

    Young people are more aware than ever of political issues- humanitarianism, feminism, environmentalism- but party politics does not give them an outlet for their beliefs. We join pressure groups, we go on marches, but we don't vote, because there's nothing worth voting for.

    We have a "democratic" government elected after gaining fewer votes than the second-placed party, and we have three main poltical parties who don't care about youth issues because there aren't any votes in them. With FPTP we have a system where unless you live in a marginal constituency, your vote is worthless. And all these marginals are in middle-aged, middle-class areas, so the parties target these people at the expense of everyone else.

    People are as interested in politics as ever, but people confuse politics with Westminster. Most of us know that politicians are cunts who could do with an injection of ten rounds of lead, but that doesn't mean we don't care about political issues.

    Thunderstruck, it is about the money. An MP perhaps doesn't earn that much, comparatively, but his income is guaranteed, his pension is guaranteed, and he will be bathing in milk and honey for the rest of his life when he gains his mandatory 47 directorships upon retirement.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I don't think it is about money at all, it is about power and prestige
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    from a young persons point of view, it all just seems a bit too involved and serious, too grown up - hardly any of it makes sense or is just boring
    also, we don't get included or listened too anyway
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    from a young persons point of view, it all just seems a bit too involved and serious, too grown up - hardly any of it makes sense or is just boring
    also, we don't get included or listened too anyway
    Then why bother to read never mind reply to the thread? John.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Toadborg wrote:
    I don't think it is about money at all, it is about power and prestige

    Many, if not all, political decisions made in this country are fuelled by the bottom line of the politicians and the corporations they represent.
  • Indrid ColdIndrid Cold Posts: 16,688 Skive's The Limit
    Over here, there's the "Parliament of teenagers". Every year 300 teenagers (as many as the normal parilament members) are chosen and they go to the parliament's bulding a couple of times, to express their opinions and (supposedly) be heard.
    Of course, no politician ever listens to them. In fact last year the minister of education, who was there to watch, fell asleep halfway and some other politican was drawing sketches in his notepad.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    johnnny wrote:
    Then why bother to read never mind reply to the thread? John.
    because i'm answering the question - it's not exactly talking politics, it's why teenagers don't like politics
    i just thought i'd bring in a young persons point of view, no need to jump down my throat for being honest
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    johnnny wrote:
    Unfortunately good ideas on paper don't count for much (not meant as sarcasm).What did he mean by skipping a generation? Wait 25 years for change? Put teenagers in charge? much as I admire young people,I don't think that would be a great idea.I have two teenage daughters!! I think more people should continue trying to change things and not just the vociferous and insidious minorities who so far have had a disproportionate say in matters.Keep at the bastards! John

    I never said or hinted at wanting teenagers in power. We need younger people than we have. 25-35 year olds. Skip the generation ahead of them and freshen up.
    Although we'd probably get the same people, only their younger versions who would try their damn hardest to stay in power forever. ;)

    -
    Another thing that pisses me off is how politicians never accept responsibility. Which is why it made me extremely happy when the prime minister who only got into power because the bigger party wanted to keep him happy, resigned after disastrous local elections. However, it's a pity that the party he represented is still acting like the vermin it is.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Why aren't young people in touch with politics?
    Because attacking young people in the media is a great way to win votes. If you say something like "all young people carry knives / are illegal immigrants / are evil little criminals who should be shot", you get brownie points from the Daily Mail. Whereas if you criticise old people (the main readers of the same paper, notice) for moaning all the time about things like being refused entry to a pub because they refused to take off a hat, the Mail explodes in moral outrage, demanding one set of rules for oldies and another for everyone else.

    Another question that might be worth asking here is: why don't young people vote? Indeed, why don't people vote as much anymore? Here's what I wrote a few months ago on the subject. Most of it is still relevant.
    stargalaxy wrote:
    Well, let me save them the time and money, and give them some answers. I suggest it is because, as a Government, you are a bunch of lying little cunts. You lied to get us into a war with Iraq. You took the most serious decision a country has to make, and lied to get us into a grubby little war. You've dragged us kicking and screaming into the war on terrorism. You've made the country a more dangerous place. You've failed to deliver on your promises on education, the NHS, transport or on the welfare state. You're all liars, every single one of you.

    As for you Tories, here's some words. You deliberately conceited with this government in the lies they told to get us into Iraq. Your leader has got no political principles or policies whatsoever. You have no radical ideas. You offer exactly the same as this government does. LibDems? You're just a third party. You barely register when it comes to making policy. You're all too busy fighting amongst yourselves on who'll be the next leader.

    And as for the Electoral Commission themselves, you did nothing to stop ministers from giving us an utterly useless and fraud-riddled postal voting system. You refuse to propose any reform of a system where Tories got more votes than Labour at the 2005 General Election, yet Labour still romps home with a majority. You, quite simply, haven't got the teeth or the backbone to do anything about it.
    Here's what was said at the time...
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Ballerina wrote:
    from a young persons point of view, it all just seems a bit too involved and serious, too grown up - hardly any of it makes sense or is just boring
    also, we don't get included or listened too anyway

    I couldn't agree more. The amount they moan about kids having nothing to do, then they ask 4 or 5 'selected' teenagers what they want and do something different. Ridiculous.

    Why don't I feel compelled to vote?
    i) Like Kermit says, my vote wont make a difference. My tory MP has a majority of 7,000 or something daft. Mind you, I dont really want labour in charge either. Do you vote for the MP as a person or as a representitive of the party?
    ii) Because they all spout the same rubbish really, their policies are similar and they say they'll make the same changes basically. I had to laugh last time I saw a flyer because it was a candidate for some party standing in front of a rubbish tip (in his suit) saying 'is this what you want?'. Of course, the rubbish tip was put there by gypsies :rolleyes:
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    ii) Because they all spout the same rubbish really, their policies are similar and they say they'll make the same changes basically. I had to laugh last time I saw a flyer because it was a candidate for some party standing in front of a rubbish tip (in his suit) saying 'is this what you want?'. Of course, the rubbish tip was put there by gypsies :rolleyes:
    The problem is, if they say that, newspapers like The Sun, the Daily Mail and the Express then launch these ludicrous and often vicious character assassination campaigns, trashing the politicians in question for days on end.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    It was ever thus. I can remember, cough, cough, years ago when studying politics people saying the same. The trouble with saying young people don't vote is that they become old (well older) people who do.

    And whilst much of what Kermit posted was bollocks, he's right in one thing - young people are very involved in lots of political activities - just not Westminister. And to be honest I'm not sure that's a bad thing that young people actually go and do the nitty gritty when you remain idealistic, rather than go straight into what Westminster does.

    After all the real work of politics isn't the headlines in the Telegraph or Guardian or god-forbid, the Socialist Worker. Its sitting in meetings trying to hammer out compromises, trying to build consensus between different departments, gathering detailed information and analysing it so that Ministers can make the best decisions possible. Its the boring stuff of making sure that's there financial safeguards are in place and that organisations have the capacity to do their job. It might be important, but unless you're a real political anorak, sitting in a meeting all day discussing the technicalities of compulsory energy ratings for homes, is no-ones idea of fun.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I dont understand how people who represent an area can do so without asking people what they think. And not just handing out 20 questionnaires on saturday afternoon in town by the clock tower - but by putting up in billboards in villages around your local area and in the newspaper that there will be an open forum for members of the community to discuss issues that relate to them. My MP wrote back to me once when he thought I was an elderly gentleman, obviously pensioner votes are important!
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I dont understand how people who represent an area can do so without asking people what they think.
    Probably because politicians seem to have this idea that they only need to ask people what they think once every four or five years.
    My MP wrote back to me once when he thought I was an elderly gentleman, obviously pensioner votes are important!
    The Stargalaxy Guide To Ensuring You Get A Reply From An MP:
    (1) Claim to be very old.
    Er... that's it.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Toadborg wrote:
    I don't think it is about money at all, it is about power and prestige
    But you don't need to worry about money when everything is handed to you on a plate. I agree it's entirely about power. There's nothing worse than a power hungry person who thinks they know what's best for everyone else, which is pretty much every politician. If they really wanted to make a difference on a particular issue, the right thing to do would be to set up or join a charity and convince others that you're fighting for a worthy cause, rather than taking everyone's money whether they agree with you or not, to push your own agenda. I think the power of the government should be cut drastically before I would be at all interested in it. We need to get to the stage where the government is serving the public, not ruling it as is currently the case.

    The main problem is that most people believe that the government only cares about them once every four years, and does what it wants for the remaining time, which is pretty much true. Perhaps having referendums on major issues would be the way forward. I'd bet any amount of money that a vote on whether to go to war in Iraq (that actually decided it) would have at least double the turnout of a vote for which prick you want to take your money for the next four years. Young people like politics, they just don't like politicians.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Kermit wrote:
    Many, if not all, political decisions made in this country are fuelled by the bottom line of the politicians and the corporations they represent.

    Really?

    So looking at BBC politics now and considering the main issues and policies being discussed at the moment how do these relate to money or corporations (:rolleyes: )?

    - Merging police forces: No

    - Extending sentences for knife crimes: No

    - Tories plan to build more prisons: Maybe

    - Review of laws for paedophiles: No

    - David Cameron wants EU constitution to be declared void: No
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Toadborg wrote:
    Really?

    So looking at BBC politics now and considering the main issues and policies being discussed at the moment how do these relate to money or corporations (:rolleyes: )?

    - Merging police forces: No

    - Extending sentences for knife crimes: No

    - Tories plan to build more prisons: Maybe

    - Review of laws for paedophiles: No

    - David Cameron wants EU constitution to be declared void: No
    Well not everything does. But let's say, for example, that one of those policies did majorly piss off one of the governments big corporate backers, do you think they might have a sudden change of heart?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    I don't think it's fair to say politicians are only in it for the money. The vast majority actually do care for the well being of their community and country as a whole.

    No one cares about politics cos it isn't attractive, when you turn the news on, who wants to listen to some middle aged man in a suit and tie talking about the economy?
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Well not everything does. But let's say, for example, that one of those policies did majorly piss off one of the governments big corporate backers, do you think they might have a sudden change of heart?

    You mean the Labour Party's private individual backers?

    Maybe, obviously politics and politicians are often dirty but governments want to win elections and keep power.

    For example if there was a policy that was incredibly popular with the population, but incredibly unpopular with 'big business' and it was a major, vote swinging election issue, who would expect the govt to throw away an election to please the companies?

    and I was saying the most obvious reason that Kermit is worng is that most policies and issues have nothing to do with 'corporations profits' so there is no pro or anti corporation issue to deal with.......
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Many politicians would like to know the answer, so hopefully when they type the question in google, this page will come up first. What will be your response? (Well, we must pretend they actually care what young people think ;))
    I wqas just thinking about this again. Has anyone noticed that we get all manner of organisations on this website and people doing research? Admittedly they are usually thrown off if they don't have permission, but can anyone ever remember anyone representing any of the political parties coming on here to find out what issues are important to young people?
  • Indrid ColdIndrid Cold Posts: 16,688 Skive's The Limit
    Now that you mention that, I do think I remember a "talk to a politican" thing that had happened here.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Now that you mention that, I do think I remember a "talk to a politican" thing that had happened here.
    Election time by any chance?
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