Politics, what the young people think.

By louisasmith | Saturday, April 24, 2010, 10:44

It’s voting season again and this time, I am able to vote! However, when I got my card through the post saying I was eligible to vote, I turned around to my mother and said “Mum, I don’t know who to vote for”. Her response was to watch the elections on the TV but as the stubborn teenager I am, I replied with the typical teenage response “But it’s boring.” And it is, isn’t it? The problem is; I have never been taught about politics when I was at school or college. No one has ever told me about each party and what they stand for. No teenager wants to sit at home and watch the elections on TV, it’s just doesn’t appeal to me. So what are they doing to make young people vote? And why is no one telling young people about the elections and the government? The young people of today are going to be the ones deciding on our government in the future and it scares me to think no one knows much about it. I asked young people ages 15-17 about the elections and if they were voting, who they would vote for, and how much they know about politics.

Elections-VOTE

Laila Cowley, 16 years old, Exmouth.

“I know nothing about politics and I don’t care about the elections.”

Katy Burgin, 16 years old, Exmouth.

“I’m not really bothered about politics while I have no vote. I’ve decided it would be something I would involve myself in when I can. I definitely don't know enough to make a decision so they obviously aren't doing enough to teach young people about politics. Although my friend alone has persuaded me to vote Lib Dem.”

Danny King, 16, Whimple

“I don’t have a clue who the candidates are. I know nothing about politics.”

Jasmine Thomas, 16, Newton Abbot

“If I was 18 I wouldn't vote, I don't see the point; they all lie, and look as the state of what Gordon Brown has got us into when he promised so much. Now, he’s got us in something that they think is going to take at least 10 years to get back to normal.”

Charlotte Weston, 17, Exeter

"If i was gunna vote i would vote Lib Dems. I would vote for them because after watching the political debate they seemed like the party that put across their points the best. And i don't know alot about politics and i feel that people are not doing enough to teach younger people about politics and the elections."

Tommy Thurogood, 17, Exmouth

"I would probably vote for the

Lib Dems, they haven't had a chance to prove themselves. They have some good

points they want to put across. David Cameron and Gordon brown are just arguing

and not really putting many points across which they want to achieve. Maybe it’s

just time for change? I don't know a huge deal,

but enough to have an opinion about the different parties. There isn't huge amount

being taught, it’s mostly on the news and well how many teens/younger watch the

news? But, seeing as the election is here there is a lot of knowledge going

around and being talked about by 17-18year olds I noticed."

Jemma Springthorpe, 17, Exmouth

"I'd vote lib dems

because I’d like a change and what they offer appeals to me. I haven’t looked

too much into it but I saw a bit of a debate they had and read a poster/

leaflet thing that came through my door. Good things that they want to do that I

remember is that they might stop uni fees and stuff so students don't get

into debt. I also prefer Nick Clegg to Cameron and Brown. I don't know

that much, what I know about politics has either been taught to me in

Journalism or I've seen on TV or in print based media. I think they do need to

teach us more about it because it's important and most people when they reach

the age to vote don't know enough about it."

Summer Hackle, 14, Exmouth

"liberal democrats because like what they are trying

to achieve. And I don’t know anything, and I don't really think people my age

really care about it, it doesn’t really mean anything to you till you’re eighteen,

so why not learn about it then?"

Cindy Wood, 17, Collumpton

"I think, if I voted I’d probably Vote Lib Dem because

conservatives and labour have had their chance and neither did a very good job,

so its time someone else had a chance. And, I know nothing about politics, and I

don’t think I’ve seen of anybody who is willing to teach us about politics and

elections and I think that's because we're

not old enough to vote so we're pretty much not important."

Adam Cole, 17, Exmouth

"labour, becuase looking at the last 4 years we haven't to bad from labour, becuase of the quality of NHS service, and to be honest there will never be the amount of books and equipment in schools with never change who ever is the leader. I don't really know much about politics, there should be more in school in key stage 5 about it, so the younger generation have know about the opportunity's for when they're older, they need to be more talks to be elections, how to vote and the whole elections, party and processes."

William Martin, 17, Exmouth

"Lib Dems cos they're making uni's free and less tax on business. I now a little bit about about politics but only cos I have done the research myself. I do not feel that anyone else has helped me understand politics and it would be better if young people were well-informed about politics"

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Comments

Unless studying politics at school or college then you should not be told who or what to vote for. You as an individual must make up your mind. When deciding to vote you should take the time to read each parties manifesto's or at least take a look at their websites. Many millions have given their lives, and are still doing so today, so we in the UK can enjoy our freedoms and exercise democracy. If you are eligible to vote you should, after all how can you complain about anything if you have not taken part in the democratic process. To the casual observer or to those that have not voted before you may not realise besides LIb/Lab/con there are other parties. UKIP is a party that puts Britain and Britons first, visit the website to find out more about our policies to put the UK back on its feet. tinyurl.com/ltn3qe

By Mike_Amor at 10:16 on 03/05/10
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Interesting views from Rockwell1 - I agree completely that you have to make up your own mind by looking at policies not people - all the manifestos are online; but I would differ on the subject of Liberal Democrats (I would wouldn't I). All across the country for 40 years and more Liberal Democrats have run major parts of the country; I was Leader of the largest District in the South West, South Somerset, and we continue to win recognition for our policy of engaging with people in the community to ensure we offer the right things in the right way. When I decided I was a Liberal in 1966 it was because I was deeply impressed by one man, Jo Grimond, and his commitment to community politics (doing what people need not what big business or the unions dictate). Since then I have always been a Liberal, and now a Liberal Democrat, and have never felt uncomfortable, what has happened this year is that our policies and our politicians are being listened to in equal measure with the other parties and that can only be good. I hope many of you had the chance to hear me speak at the Community College a couple of weeks ago; if you didn't and would like to talk let me now come in to the Lib Dem shop at the bottom of Exeter Road!

Paull Robathan, Lib Dem candidate for East Devon

By paullrobathan at 15:32 on 25/04/10
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I agree that it is very difficult for young people to decide which party to vote for and although it is too late for the coming election I think it would be really helpful if the parties put more effort into getting their message across to those who might be voting for the first or second time. However, it is very difficult to get an unbiased view. I also agree that it is much easier for a minority party to sound good as they have no history to be judged on. I can only suggest that young people look at who the minority parties would actually support and work with if there was a hung Parliament - if you don't want more years with a Labour government then just be aware that the Liberals are much more closely allied to the Left Wing of politics and Labour - don't be fooled into thinking they are completely different. There you are you see - I am biased too !

By Heidi_girl at 01:23 on 25/04/10
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So it's Nick Clegg for the youth of today then? A bit like in 1997, when Labour was the fresh alternative, and many voters had either forgotten or didn't know what it was like to live under Labour! It's like deja vu but with the Lib Dems this time. Young people think Nick Clegg offers something different but I'm relieved to hear that you don't think watching the TV debates is the way to make your mind up Louisa. There's only one way - think about the issues that really matter to you, or might matter to you in the next five years, and then look at the manifestos for each party, to see what they say about those. You're hardly likely to want to sit down and read the whole thing, and what you hear on TV is, as you say, fairly boring and just argumentative and about 'looking good'. I just hope not too many young people are taken in by Clegg. It's easy to seem impressive when you're the outsider giving a message of hope. Isn't that what Adolf Hitler gave the people of Germany in 1933? Hope, belief in a better system, and then look what he served up. When people are desperate for something new, they'll be sucked in by anyone who speaks in the right tone of voice and tells them what they want to hear. Look at the values of each party Louisa, not the faces in front of them, and ask yourself what you stand for at heart, and what each party stands for, at heart. It's scandalous that young voters still feel so in the dark. You're dead right.

By Rockwell1 at 22:35 on 23/04/10
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