As the Chair of Young Labour it seems appropriate that my first column in this series about youth engagement. What might currently be an overused buzzword should not have its merits obscured by the patronising approach of some of its detractors.
The Liberal Democrats have sought to position themselves as the party for young people but – as ever – it does not take long to show their true colours. Three London councils, all Labour-led, have elected youth mayors. Each has proper staff support, a decent budget (£25,000 in Lambeth) and a direct say over local youth services. While 3000 of Lambeth’s young people were engaging in local democracy using booths and ballot boxes, the Liberal Democrats councillors called the scheme an ‘absurd gimmick’. Such opportunities for young people to experience the democratic process can only have disproportionate benefits for that community.
With youth mayors, along with the network of local UK Youth Parliament members (MYPs), I think our country is well served by young people. They are invariably articulate, passionate in fighting for what they believe in. While their critics claim these young people are out of touch – the Youth Parliament can boast participation that no legislature in the world can rival: 50% are women; 21% are black, Asian and minority ethnic; and 4% define themselves as having a disability.
Local MPs have been harnessing the creativity, energy and passion for the community that our young people have. In Bassetlaw in Nottinghamshire, John Mann MP recently hosted a Youth Alcohol Panel. Young people asked their peers, health professionals and local people how they thought a better attitude to alcohol could be bought about.
The Labour party itself has taken massive leaps forward in the last six months. The appointment of Dawn Butler as vice-chair for youth has given a significant lift to Young Labour, giving us an advocate with direct access to Number 10. A youth campaigning toolkit, £1 membership rate and training for CLP youth officers have all been possible because of the hard work of Young Labour representatives Stephanie Peacock and Ellie Reeves on the NEC.
As a party, there’s a great opportunity to connect with young people as we put together a manifesto that is both radical and voting winning. Transforming the sexual health of our nation, giving first-time buyers the lift they need on the property ladder and placing Britain at the centre of social progress in the world can give a confidence to young members and those that want to vote for us that a message of a decade of stability and progress will not achieve with this demographic.
Young people must be presented with a forward-looking and aspirant party manifesto – but no one is proposing that cabinet ministers try and get down with the kids as Cameron is so keen to do. We should use the phenomenal talents of our young members to speak directly to young people, first-time votes and young social progressives. If a young member can introduce the New Prime Minister Elect in 2007 why couldn’t a young person present a future programme of government to the country?