Home General Chat
If you need urgent support, call 999 or go to your nearest A&E. To contact our Crisis Messenger (open 24/7) text THEMIX to 85258.

Do the media and politicians care about you?

Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
As part of our Respect? campaign we went and hobnobbed at the house of commons to debate how young people can be better represented in politics and media. We asked a group of young people at the event what they thought and here are their responses (there are audio versions to download too):

How can young people be heard more in the media?

How can politicians understand young people better?

Take a read/listen and then add your opinions here...

Comments

  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    What a good-looking and eloquent bunch of people you found. Shame about the girl at the top... ;)
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Its not just young people the Cabinet couldnt care less about (most MP's dont really count) its anyone not in a marginal constituancy. If you are in a solid seat they couldnt give a monkies.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    But why do most MPs "not count"? Backbenchers aren't entirely powerless.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    piccolo wrote:
    But why do most MPs "not count"? Backbenchers aren't entirely powerless.

    No, they arent entirely powerless. But virtually all big policy changes are made by a very small group and the party is presented with a virtually finished new bill to vote on. All this talk about 'having a national debate' is just for the tabloids, Labour punt an idea out, see how it goes in the Mail and the Sun then decide, it has very little to do with backbenchers.

    Unless you live in one of the areas where your vote counts or you have enough money to buy influence then you really dont get any say at all.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    Yeah, that's true.

    I do think some MPs are very good at their jobs but that doesn't necessarily win favour in the House or the party and they are probably doomed to the backbenches.

    How depressing.
  • Former MemberFormer Member Posts: 1,876,323 The Mix Honorary Guru
    There's that famous story by Tony Benn, where he watched a debate where one backbencher was so moved they were crying and clapping in support of what was being debate, then as they dried their tears they voted against it under instructions from the Whips. With a two party system back benchers are always limited in what they can achieve.
Sign In or Register to comment.