Young people are the future, but are they interested in politics? While we still need to work on increasing the number of young people actively involved in politics, as Labour shadow cabinet member Ivan Lewis has been working on, I would argue that young people are actually more interested in public issues and current affairs than it is commonly supposed. Political interest and participation goes beyond CLP meetings, beyond voting, beyond senior politicians, and most certainly beyond Westminster. Young people participate in politics through various means – whether that is by campaigning on issues, signing a petition, holding conversations on the Labour doorstep, or even blogging. Social media, be it Twitter or Facebook, particularly in this day and age, acts as a powerful tool not only in organising and increasing awareness but also in engaging and activating young people’s interest in politics. Politics needs to be representative, accessible, diverse – and the means through which young people can get involved in order to make a positive and influential difference.
Voting may be the official and traditional way for young people to participate in politics, but it is most certainly not the only way. Although voting is crucially important, there are countless ways of participating. In fact, one of the many ways young people do get involved in politics, is through local and national campaigns. Young people care about an extensive number of issues – be it apprenticeships, the financial cost of higher education, payday lenders, wages, or the cost of housing. The list goes on. Issues are at the heart of campaigns, and campaigns act as a vital tool in making a real difference, creating a community spirit and empowering and mobilising the disengaged. Having campaigned on such issues both locally and nationally, from apprenticeships to payday lenders, I speak passionately about the involvement of young people in politics, and have seen the positive impact that young people can truly make.
It is true to say that some have turned away from electoral politics, but it would be wrong to conclude that all young people have done so. Rather, young people have diversified their political engagement, through membership of various other organisations, and participating in rallies or protests, such as the ones witnessed over tuition fees. Young people have become increasingly more engaged with issues that have direct relevance to their everyday lives.
To engage more young people, ongoing engagement and listening is required, and not only in the run-up to the local or general election – but throughout the year. Politics goes beyond the ballot box, hence it is our duty, and of those in power, to make politics seem relevant to people’s everyday life. At a party political level, the Labour party must be seen as empowering youth activists, and providing opportunities both locally and nationally, whereby young people can run their own projects, or campaigns.
What more can be done? Elected representatives are very good at engaging with schools and colleges in their local areas but we must increase the number of opportunities provided, whereby young people can get directly involved in the political process. Whether that is through local opportunities, such as shadowing your local councillor or member of parliament, or setting up a summer programme whereby young people are able to participate and learn more about the political process directly. Young people can be reached anywhere – from the internet, to local community groups, schools, colleges, universities, and the list goes on.
With the 2015 general election fast approaching, we need to rally as much support, and think more creatively than ever before. Young people are talented and have various innovative ideas, which is why engaging young people, and listening to young people should be just as much of a priority. Politics is about making a real difference in society, and I believe that young people are the key to the future, the Labour party and the movement as a whole – progressive politics should just as much involve focusing on the needs of future generations. We must be more creative when exploring methods of recruiting young people in politics, and make politics even more accessible, whereby more young people feel as if their voices are truly heard, and their concerns are understood. It is crucial that we provide young people with the platform necessary to express themselves, and provide them with the opportunity to discuss and act on current issues. For me, people, issues and collective change is what keeps politics personable and real. I truly believe in the power of people, and that everyone has the power to make a difference in politics – whether locally, nationally, or internationally.
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Roxana Andrusca is co-chair of Hampshire and Isle of Wight Young Labour. She tweets @RoxanaAndrusca
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