Comments on: Young people and politics. The eternal issue. http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue Plaid Assembly Member for South Wales West including Aberavon, Bridgend, Gower, Neath, Ogmore, Port Talbot and Swansea Mon, 23 Aug 2010 16:20:10 +0100 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.9.1 hourly 1 By: Chris http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue/comment-page-1#comment-4457 Chris Sun, 21 Mar 2010 20:20:52 +0000 http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue#comment-4457 I think you may need to check your facts. There is not a single exam board in the entire United Kingdom that offers Politics at GCSE level and therefore there is not a cat in hell's chance that there is a GCSE in politics with welsh language provision. Perhaps this is part of the problem with young people's lack of participation in politics as they cannot become engaged in it at a young age unless they go about doing so outside of their time in schools. I had only one hour of government and politics in my entire time in school up to age 16. This lesson was awful with the teacher unsure on what was to be taught and how it was to be delivered. This didn't put me off politics, I'm doing an As level in it, but this ramshackle experience combined with a constant negative stream of reporting from the popular media will leave many alienated. Politics matters yet is seen as unnecessary, boring and uncool. The establishment must make an effort to connect with the young and convince them that politics is the route to a better future for all. Cross party consensus must be achieved on this otherwise the above article's conclusion will be the result, with politics left to those who actively seek it and not the entire country. I think you may need to check your facts. There is not a single exam board in the entire United Kingdom that offers Politics at GCSE level and therefore there is not a cat in hell’s chance that there is a GCSE in politics with welsh language provision. Perhaps this is part of the problem with young people’s lack of participation in politics as they cannot become engaged in it at a young age unless they go about doing so outside of their time in schools. I had only one hour of government and politics in my entire time in school up to age 16. This lesson was awful with the teacher unsure on what was to be taught and how it was to be delivered. This didn’t put me off politics, I’m doing an As level in it, but this ramshackle experience combined with a constant negative stream of reporting from the popular media will leave many alienated. Politics matters yet is seen as unnecessary, boring and uncool. The establishment must make an effort to connect with the young and convince them that politics is the route to a better future for all. Cross party consensus must be achieved on this otherwise the above article’s conclusion will be the result, with politics left to those who actively seek it and not the entire country.

]]> By: William http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue/comment-page-1#comment-4413 William Wed, 17 Mar 2010 19:23:56 +0000 http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue#comment-4413 Agree with everyting you say Bethan I think its realy important that we have something more like a Welsh Youth Parliament which can speak for young people and allow for younger people to get involved in politics and create more interest in politics. I definately agree that the voting age should be lowered to 16 as if young people can get married, get a job, and pay tax then they should be able to vote and have a say in who runs our country. Agree with everyting you say Bethan
I think its realy important that we have something more like a Welsh Youth Parliament which can speak for young people and allow for younger people to get involved in politics and create more interest in politics.
I definately agree that the voting age should be lowered to 16 as if young people can get married, get a job, and pay tax then they should be able to vote and have a say in who runs our country.

]]> By: cp http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue/comment-page-1#comment-4407 cp Wed, 17 Mar 2010 12:10:56 +0000 http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue#comment-4407 Lowering the voting age to 16 too Bethan! I know you agree. I think that would do a lot to encourage politicians to engage more with youth and foster forward looking legislation. Plaid could also look at- at council level maybe- postive discrimination on party lists in favour of candiadtes under 30? Just an idea... oh- the unofficial plaid newport blog plaidcasnewydd.blogspot.com is up and running again... Lowering the voting age to 16 too Bethan! I know you agree. I think that would do a lot to encourage politicians to engage more with youth and foster forward looking legislation.

Plaid could also look at- at council level maybe- postive discrimination on party lists in favour of candiadtes under 30?

Just an idea…

oh- the unofficial plaid newport blog plaidcasnewydd.blogspot.com is up and running again…

]]> By: marcus warner http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue/comment-page-1#comment-4397 marcus warner Tue, 16 Mar 2010 20:25:45 +0000 http://www.bethanjenkinsblog.org.uk/young-people-and-politics-the-eternal-issue#comment-4397 I have never really thought about having a Youth Parliament before, certainly a worthy idea. The fact remains that are young people are not given the tools or encouragement to take part meaningfully in their own democracy. It is a self fulfilling prophecy - young people dont vote, so why act on or appeal to their concerns. Fundamentally there must be proper democratic education in schools. I also think there needs to be elections in schools like they have in universities. Young people need to be educated and encouraged about the benefits of participating in democratic elections. An idea I had before was for young people to be given internships with AMs in a non partisan way. Perhaps with those interns being voted in via a poll of some sorts. With the advent of regional AMs, young people have a number of representatives to work with and learn about their role. I have never really thought about having a Youth Parliament before, certainly a worthy idea.

The fact remains that are young people are not given the tools or encouragement to take part meaningfully in their own democracy. It is a self fulfilling prophecy – young people dont vote, so why act on or appeal to their concerns.

Fundamentally there must be proper democratic education in schools. I also think there needs to be elections in schools like they have in universities. Young people need to be educated and encouraged about the benefits of participating in democratic elections.

An idea I had before was for young people to be given internships with AMs in a non partisan way. Perhaps with those interns being voted in via a poll of some sorts. With the advent of regional AMs, young people have a number of representatives to work with and learn about their role.

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