Comments on: Are young people really apathetic about politics?

By: Alistair

Alistair — Tue, 11 May 2010 23:27:13 +0000

I can’t say I’m inclined to believe young people are apathetic about politics; especially considering that I’ve had some heated debates about who would lead the country out of the black hole it’s in now; I seem to be finding myself one of about two right-wing supporters among a cloud of liberal democrats but that’s irrelevant; I think some of them were interested in politics but didn’t truly understand it enough to make that crucial intellectual decision.

Perhaps this is where the real failing is, almost exactly as Katie said, that young people are plenty interested in politics but the superstructure to get them involved and inquisitive just isn’t there. Politics lessons are one thing, but they might just end up being ‘another lesson’ to some; perhaps conventions or ‘clubs’ for people interested in politics? I would love to see some dedicated debating arrangements; might we even breed a new era of bright-eyed young politicians?

Either way, the disinterest doesn’t lie with the younger population, it lies within the inherent laziness of the clapped-out old system we have put up with for so many years. Let’s hope these vivid promises of a revival come to fruition, and with it bring young people back onto the political stage.

By: Katie

Katie — Mon, 10 May 2010 18:16:42 +0000

Young people today should have the opportunity to debate politics at high school. I believe that if you engage the youth of today in politics at a level they understand then this will transpire in an interest in voting in the future. 3 out of 10 of my friends didn’t even register to vote in the general election and I am one of 2 people I know that that actually care about politics and who runs our country. Politicians have lost the trust of alot of people in the UK; not least the young people the 18 – 25′s that are so disenchanted with politics through the media that they would rather not vote or will vote for who their parents support . . . so I say bring in politics lessons, talk to people my age and we will vote for you, we just have to be engaged and trust that you will do better for us in the future. I absolutely agree that young people are interested in politics but politicians have failed us, so it is time now to make amends before the next election.

By: jim

jim — Tue, 04 May 2010 17:20:56 +0000

In the run up to the general electon me and my friends reguarly talk about politics and which party we are supporting. We have some quite heated disscussions and i find myself the only conservative in a gang of lib dem/labour supporters it seems nothing i say can convince them otherwise however most dont know what there talking about.

By: Anonymous

Anonymous — Wed, 03 Feb 2010 19:47:39 +0000

Well, its not really the fact they are apathetic. Speaking as a college student myself, alot of people I know have strong political opinions, but so many of them are misguided and they dont really understand what is going on. Alot of them seem to be taking to slating David Cameron with no legitimate reasons. When I ask them why, they dont give sensible answers, they just say things such as “coz we do”. Its actually quite pathetic.

By: William Rutter

William Rutter — Sat, 05 Sep 2009 19:08:37 +0000

I can understand why young people are apathetic about politics, i think for the past 12 years, politics has not been for the young person, i can hardly think of one way it has improved since 1997, i see an administration which is good when you need help, but not when you need to help your self, an average single working person cant realistically afford his or hers own home,i have seen house prices rise out of control, in some cases by a factor of ten in that time, and nothing to stop it, how can any political system think that is fair, this goes on top of expensive self eduction for young people, who come out of university with large debt, & in many cases in no better stance for getting a job at the end of it,
young people have been let down so much it is untrue no generation for 70 years has had such a hard start to adult life, there needs to be more chances to progress through the system, people have a effectively got much poorer over the past 12 years the social divide is too much, there needs to be a right to buy private rented homes, from larger land lords, to much money has been made out property. there needs to be more openness about building homes, not in my back yard wont do, a i think regional based mortgage interest rate should be made to control house price inflation and be separate from the commercial sector,
This comes from a young person who see Britain as place of less opportunity than i did in 1997, i hope the conservatives can help the younger generation, not by spending lots of money but by making a fairer leaner system, people do not want lots of money, people want a good life, David please make the UK fun again, from your supporter William.

By: Marksman

Marksman — Sat, 04 Jul 2009 22:51:10 +0000

I think it’s because youth politics from ALL sides doesn’t do enough to engage new members. Take the London Conservative Future branch elections – reading, amongst others, Tory Bear and The Young Conservative, why the hell should I care that such-and-such has initiated a scandal and so-n-so’s got confused over voting irregularities? I don’t give a monkey’s about minor personalities within a closed group, I care about policies and events that directly address issues affecting me. The fact that the turnout was ten – 10, ffs! – with a total of 8 positions up for grabs says it all; youth politics needs to engage with its target audience and stop focusing on its own little machinations.

By: Jamie

Jamie — Mon, 29 Jun 2009 22:06:23 +0000

I’d like to agree with the point that many people now are supporting single issue parties and even the more controversal parties. I think people are opting to do this not because they support the party and believe in their views, they are doing this out of protest. They are protesting at the way the Labour government has lead Britain in to a terrible position and are leaving families and individuals struggling. This is also the same in Scotland where I live. More and more people are being brainwashed by the SNP. They believe that because the government has lost control of Britain they think that it is time to seperate. NO,NO,NO. All in all it is Labour’s fault for more people voting for smaller parties

By: Jason

Jason — Tue, 23 Jun 2009 23:32:25 +0000

I don’t think all young people are apathetic about politics. I do however think that there are a lot of young people who don’t understand politics, politicians or the way the country is run anymore.

I’ve been Interested since I was 9 years old, It’s always been an Important part of my life, especially the Conservative party.