Introducing The Next Generation Of Leaders And Thinkers

Political Engagement and the Need for Political Education

The past two years has been a whirlwind for U.K. politics with the 2015 General Election, the Scottish Referendum, the E.U. Referendum and now the upcoming General Election. Whilst political engagement has increased since its drop in 2001, political dissatisfaction is higher than ever. With dissatisfaction comes disinterest, and more needs to be done to stop people ignoring that politics exists and it’s not going anywhere anytime soon.

http://www.ukpolitical.info/Turnout45.htm
Via U.K. Political

So why aren’t people engaged in politics, and which groups does it affect most? The 2014 Electoral Reforms Committee’s report on voter engagement found that young people, certain Black and Ethnic Minority groups, disabled people and people from lower socio-economic groups were far less likely to be registered to vote and turnout at elections. This is due to not only the lack of representation in Parliament but because of a lack of education about the importance of participation. Young people and minority groups are disillusioned by politics as they think their vote doesn’t matter, that they aren’t being listened to anyway, so what’s the point in voting? Hansard Society, an independent, non-partisan charity that focuses on U.K. democracy, carried out an audit this year, which states a quarter of the public wants no involvement with Parliamentary decisions, with only one in ten wanting to be ‘very’ involved. This mindset isn’t helpful but unequal and undemocratic, yet it’s instilled in people at an early age.

Politics is involved in every aspect of your life, no matter what spectrum you fall on, and your engagement is necessary if we’re going to have a functional political system.

This dissatisfaction is new, found more so in a younger generation that has been lied to and looked over by politicians looking only to further their career. But you can’t let your dissatisfaction stop you from being engaged in politics, in fact, it’s the reason why you should be engaged – because how else is the system going to change?

Maybe it’s too late to show middle-aged, working class, ethnic minority parents that their voice matters, but there’s still time to change how the youth of today view politics. Introducing politics to the national curriculum, creating open and engaging conversations about the future of this country and educating children about democracy will increase voter turnout. Political apathy will decrease and this involvement will be promoted and passed onto future generations. Things will change as more people that were once marginalized from politics are now representing themselves and their cause. Political engagement is important, but so is political education and encouragement. Make your voice heard.

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