too often young people are labeled as the apathetic generation by our media
the apathetic generation by our media
the apathetic generation by our media and sometimes by our politicians you
and sometimes by our politicians you
and sometimes by our politicians you often want to engage with us when
often want to engage with us when
often want to engage with us when election is around the corner
election is around the corner
election is around the corner they say that we cannot complain about
they say that we cannot complain about
they say that we cannot complain about our future because we don’t vote they
our future because we don’t vote they
our future because we don’t vote they say that we are not worthy enough of an
say that we are not worthy enough of an
say that we are not worthy enough of an election pledge because we are less
election pledge because we are less
election pledge because we are less likely to vote and they say that we do
likely to vote and they say that we do
likely to vote and they say that we do not care about the issues that affect us
not care about the issues that affect us
not care about the issues that affect us and those who are age 16 to 17 year olds
and those who are age 16 to 17 year olds
and those who are age 16 to 17 year olds I’m not responsible enough to be given
I’m not responsible enough to be given
I’m not responsible enough to be given the vote
the vote
the vote well I’m here to say that they are wrong
well I’m here to say that they are wrong
well I’m here to say that they are wrong you know when you say the word politics
you know when you say the word politics
you know when you say the word politics to a young person or to citizens
to a young person or to citizens
to a young person or to citizens generally people often think of politics
generally people often think of politics
generally people often think of politics there are MPs
there are MPs
there are MPs Parliament elections you name it but
Parliament elections you name it but
Parliament elections you name it but actually politics is more than that and
actually politics is more than that and
actually politics is more than that and it’s what it means to you and I’ll give
it’s what it means to you and I’ll give
it’s what it means to you and I’ll give you an example not too long ago I was
you an example not too long ago I was
you an example not too long ago I was doing this workshop once for fifteen to
doing this workshop once for fifteen to
doing this workshop once for fifteen to seventeen year olds and it was
seventeen year olds and it was
seventeen year olds and it was identifying key political economic
identifying key political economic
identifying key political economic social technological trends and one of
social technological trends and one of
social technological trends and one of them identified pokemon gold as a
them identified pokemon gold as a
them identified pokemon gold as a technological trend so I asked him do
technological trend so I asked him do
technological trend so I asked him do you care about politics I was like now I
you care about politics I was like now I
you care about politics I was like now I don’t care about politics
don’t care about politics
don’t care about politics I said what’s on the news about Pokemon
I said what’s on the news about Pokemon
I said what’s on the news about Pokemon go at the moment and he didn’t know so
go at the moment and he didn’t know so
go at the moment and he didn’t know so someone else in the room said they might
someone else in the room said they might
someone else in the room said they might share your location with the government
share your location with the government
share your location with the government I said how do you feel about that I was
I said how do you feel about that I was
I said how do you feel about that I was like I don’t want the government to know
like I don’t want the government to know
like I don’t want the government to know where I am and they started debating
where I am and they started debating
where I am and they started debating between them saying actually it’s a good
between them saying actually it’s a good
between them saying actually it’s a good thing because if someone happens to me
thing because if someone happens to me
thing because if someone happens to me and the government knew where I was and
and the government knew where I was and
and the government knew where I was and I was like there you go that’s politics
I was like there you go that’s politics
I was like there you go that’s politics so I guess what I’m trying to say is is
so I guess what I’m trying to say is is
so I guess what I’m trying to say is is if you don’t do politics politics will
if you don’t do politics politics will
if you don’t do politics politics will do do you and when we do think about the
do do you and when we do think about the
do do you and when we do think about the wider engagement piece I mean I’m I was
wider engagement piece I mean I’m I was
wider engagement piece I mean I’m I was very honored to be elected as one of the
very honored to be elected as one of the
very honored to be elected as one of the youngest councillors ever for the London
youngest councillors ever for the London
youngest councillors ever for the London borough of Hackney and my journey into
borough of Hackney and my journey into
borough of Hackney and my journey into politics is partly because of my
politics is partly because of my
politics is partly because of my background of how I was brought up
background of how I was brought up
background of how I was brought up Hackney is a very trendy place a nice
Hackney is a very trendy place a nice
Hackney is a very trendy place a nice place to live now but when I was growing
place to live now but when I was growing
place to live now but when I was growing up it wasn’t such a nice place to live
up it wasn’t such a nice place to live
up it wasn’t such a nice place to live and I couldn’t go to school in Hackney
and I couldn’t go to school in Hackney
and I couldn’t go to school in Hackney because all the schools were getting
because all the schools were getting
because all the schools were getting shut down and often when politicians and
shut down and often when politicians and
shut down and often when politicians and decision makers talk about the issues
decision makers talk about the issues
decision makers talk about the issues that affect young people they always box
that affect young people they always box
that affect young people they always box us into these issues around youth clubs
us into these issues around youth clubs
us into these issues around youth clubs and education and yes it is important
and education and yes it is important
and education and yes it is important I’m not saying education or you’ve clubs
I’m not saying education or you’ve clubs
I’m not saying education or you’ve clubs ain’t important but actually if you
ain’t important but actually if you
ain’t important but actually if you think about the real issues that affect
think about the real issues that affect
think about the real issues that affect young people housing we’re in London
young people housing we’re in London
young people housing we’re in London right now the average firsthand barrel
right now the average firsthand barrel
right now the average firsthand barrel for new property spent is the average
for new property spent is the average
for new property spent is the average price number of new property is 49 the
price number of new property is 49 the
price number of new property is 49 the average first-time buyer of a new
average first-time buyer of a new
average first-time buyer of a new property spends four hundred and twenty
property spends four hundred and twenty
property spends four hundred and twenty thousand pounds on a new property
thousand pounds on a new property
thousand pounds on a new property the average first-time buyer means one
the average first-time buyer means one
the average first-time buyer means one hundred six thousand powers in deposit
hundred six thousand powers in deposit
hundred six thousand powers in deposit more than 50% of Londoners spend more
more than 50% of Londoners spend more
more than 50% of Londoners spend more than half the income just on rent that’s
than half the income just on rent that’s
than half the income just on rent that’s excluding utility bills think about it
excluding utility bills think about it
excluding utility bills think about it and these are issues that
and these are issues that
and these are issues that disproportionately affect young people
disproportionately affect young people
disproportionately affect young people more than seven million people in this
more than seven million people in this
more than seven million people in this country are working but are in poverty
country are working but are in poverty
country are working but are in poverty so they work in but they’re in poverty
so they work in but they’re in poverty
so they work in but they’re in poverty right and these are the real issues that
right and these are the real issues that
right and these are the real issues that actually affect jump people so the
actually affect jump people so the
actually affect jump people so the question is not whether young people
question is not whether young people
question is not whether young people care about issues of course they care
care about issues of course they care
care about issues of course they care about issues it’s about whether they see
about issues it’s about whether they see
about issues it’s about whether they see traditional forms of politics as a
traditional forms of politics as a
traditional forms of politics as a vehicle to address the issues that
vehicle to address the issues that
vehicle to address the issues that affect them most and there are many
affect them most and there are many
affect them most and there are many reasons why they don’t see traditional
reasons why they don’t see traditional
reasons why they don’t see traditional forms of politics so my first slide is
forms of politics so my first slide is
forms of politics so my first slide is this statue which has got a facepalm I
this statue which has got a facepalm I
this statue which has got a facepalm I often do this face when I meet with
often do this face when I meet with
often do this face when I meet with government ministers or decision makers
government ministers or decision makers
government ministers or decision makers in every meeting because we have this we
in every meeting because we have this we
in every meeting because we have this we always talk about how do we actually
always talk about how do we actually
always talk about how do we actually meaningfully engage young people in
meaningfully engage young people in
meaningfully engage young people in politics how do we get them involved in
politics how do we get them involved in
politics how do we get them involved in decision-making processes and you can go
decision-making processes and you can go
decision-making processes and you can go around in circles and circles and
around in circles and circles and
around in circles and circles and circles but it all comes down to one
circles but it all comes down to one
circles but it all comes down to one thing which is political education we
thing which is political education we
thing which is political education we are the masters in this country of how
are the masters in this country of how
are the masters in this country of how to set up a system which governs our
to set up a system which governs our
to set up a system which governs our society to make sure that we construct
society to make sure that we construct
society to make sure that we construct laws but one thing that no one has
laws but one thing that no one has
laws but one thing that no one has actually ever thought about is how we
actually ever thought about is how we
actually ever thought about is how we bridge that gap between citizens and
bridge that gap between citizens and
bridge that gap between citizens and decision makers and decision making
decision makers and decision making
decision makers and decision making processes so
processes so
processes so the implications of this are many one of
the implications of this are many one of
the implications of this are many one of which is him but going back to this if
which is him but going back to this if
which is him but going back to this if you don’t educate your citizens about
you don’t educate your citizens about
you don’t educate your citizens about how decision-making works right one of
how decision-making works right one of
how decision-making works right one of the problems that you have is that you
the problems that you have is that you
the problems that you have is that you have politicians well citizens who
have politicians well citizens who
have politicians well citizens who expect too much from politicians you
expect too much from politicians you
expect too much from politicians you know we live in a microwave generation
know we live in a microwave generation
know we live in a microwave generation where kind of comes from all sort of the
where kind of comes from all sort of the
where kind of comes from all sort of the consumer driven world that we live in
consumer driven world that we live in
consumer driven world that we live in which is that when you pay for a product
which is that when you pay for a product
which is that when you pay for a product or service you receive it instantly or
or service you receive it instantly or
or service you receive it instantly or you receive a timeline of when you are
you receive a timeline of when you are
you receive a timeline of when you are going to receive it and politics is not
going to receive it and politics is not
going to receive it and politics is not that easy because naturally you govern
that easy because naturally you govern
that easy because naturally you govern so many different groups of society and
so many different groups of society and
so many different groups of society and you need to make sure there’s concession
you need to make sure there’s concession
you need to make sure there’s concession and compromise but because citizens
and compromise but because citizens
and compromise but because citizens don’t understand that concession and
don’t understand that concession and
don’t understand that concession and compromise or citizens don’t understand
compromise or citizens don’t understand
compromise or citizens don’t understand how the difference between local
how the difference between local
how the difference between local national government let alone super
national government let alone super
national government let alone super national institutions like the European
national institutions like the European
national institutions like the European Union or the United Nations or the rest
Union or the United Nations or the rest
Union or the United Nations or the rest of it then you end up with a position
of it then you end up with a position
of it then you end up with a position where people get frustrated and then
where people get frustrated and then
where people get frustrated and then again you end up with him the other
again you end up with him the other
again you end up with him the other implication of it is that people just
implication of it is that people just
implication of it is that people just generally don’t know how to go about
generally don’t know how to go about
generally don’t know how to go about making change you know I work in I’m
making change you know I work in I’m
making change you know I work in I’m very lucky to be working in the brexit
very lucky to be working in the brexit
very lucky to be working in the brexit space at the moment so I lead a charity
space at the moment so I lead a charity
space at the moment so I lead a charity on a mission to secure a better brexit
on a mission to secure a better brexit
on a mission to secure a better brexit for young people and just last week I
for young people and just last week I
for young people and just last week I was in Scotland and one of the one of
was in Scotland and one of the one of
was in Scotland and one of the one of the young people there said we aren’t we
the young people there said we aren’t we
the young people there said we aren’t we asked him what rights you can sign about
asked him what rights you can sign about
asked him what rights you can sign about losing and he was like I don’t know what
losing and he was like I don’t know what
losing and he was like I don’t know what rights I have to do fee to be asking
rights I have to do fee to be asking
rights I have to do fee to be asking that
that
that and again just illustrates this point
and again just illustrates this point
and again just illustrates this point about you know we’re living in this in a
about you know we’re living in this in a
about you know we’re living in this in a society where people are constantly
society where people are constantly
society where people are constantly complaining about why young people are
complaining about why young people are
complaining about why young people are not taking action and getting involved
not taking action and getting involved
not taking action and getting involved in decision-making but no one’s actually
in decision-making but no one’s actually
in decision-making but no one’s actually really full about what it why are we not
really full about what it why are we not
really full about what it why are we not actually educating people about what
actually educating people about what
actually educating people about what what they’re you know yes the civic
what they’re you know yes the civic
what they’re you know yes the civic duties are so come into dogged Trump I
duties are so come into dogged Trump I
duties are so come into dogged Trump I think Donald Trump obviously has many
think Donald Trump obviously has many
think Donald Trump obviously has many flaws I don’t agree with anything he
flaws I don’t agree with anything he
flaws I don’t agree with anything he says right I don’t agree with Lana first
says right I don’t agree with Lana first
says right I don’t agree with Lana first points and I wish he was never the
points and I wish he was never the
points and I wish he was never the president of the US but actually Donald
president of the US but actually Donald
president of the US but actually Donald Trump brags it they all have
Trump brags it they all have
Trump brags it they all have similarities which is that we’ve got
similarities which is that we’ve got
similarities which is that we’ve got growing social inequalities
growing social inequalities
growing social inequalities in the world and people feeling more and
in the world and people feeling more and
in the world and people feeling more and more disconnected with the traditional
more disconnected with the traditional
more disconnected with the traditional forms of politicians that’s why you
forms of politicians that’s why you
forms of politicians that’s why you never see me in a suit I’ve been elected
never see me in a suit I’ve been elected
never see me in a suit I’ve been elected for over four years I’ve worked for
for over four years I’ve worked for
for over four years I’ve worked for people like Sadiq Khan in the past and I
people like Sadiq Khan in the past and I
people like Sadiq Khan in the past and I regularly meet with senior negotiators
regularly meet with senior negotiators
regularly meet with senior negotiators or Ivor’s people like Michele Barney and
or Ivor’s people like Michele Barney and
or Ivor’s people like Michele Barney and I never once wear a suit and the reason
I never once wear a suit and the reason
I never once wear a suit and the reason why I do that it’s not because you know
why I do that it’s not because you know
why I do that it’s not because you know I’m trying to look nice but it’s more
I’m trying to look nice but it’s more
I’m trying to look nice but it’s more because it’s a point to say it actually
because it’s a point to say it actually
because it’s a point to say it actually as normal citizens we should be able to
as normal citizens we should be able to
as normal citizens we should be able to connect and there is a growing
connect and there is a growing
connect and there is a growing disconnect between the establishment and
disconnect between the establishment and
disconnect between the establishment and what citizens are but there is one thing
what citizens are but there is one thing
what citizens are but there is one thing that we can all learn from Donald Trump
that we can all learn from Donald Trump
that we can all learn from Donald Trump it really hurts me to say this but that
it really hurts me to say this but that
it really hurts me to say this but that is that if you think about it right one
is that if you think about it right one
is that if you think about it right one of the problems about politicians and
of the problems about politicians and
of the problems about politicians and the growing disconnect between you know
the growing disconnect between you know
the growing disconnect between you know young people or citizens and sort of the
young people or citizens and sort of the
young people or citizens and sort of the trust because again if you look at many
trust because again if you look at many
trust because again if you look at many research we know that young people more
research we know that young people more
research we know that young people more than ever are more interested about
than ever are more interested about
than ever are more interested about issues that affect them of course they
issues that affect them of course they
issues that affect them of course they are which are going to talk about but
are which are going to talk about but
are which are going to talk about but they don’t trust media or political
they don’t trust media or political
they don’t trust media or political institutions and one of the reasons for
institutions and one of the reasons for
institutions and one of the reasons for that is because people were over promise
that is because people were over promise
that is because people were over promise and under deliver for an election pledge
and under deliver for an election pledge
and under deliver for an election pledge right now if you take Donald Trump as an
right now if you take Donald Trump as an
right now if you take Donald Trump as an example again this claim of Barry for me
example again this claim of Barry for me
example again this claim of Barry for me I don’t agree with nothing he says and I
I don’t agree with nothing he says and I
I don’t agree with nothing he says and I wish it wasn’t the president of the of
wish it wasn’t the president of the of
wish it wasn’t the president of the of the US however everything he said he’s
the US however everything he said he’s
the US however everything he said he’s going to do in the run-up to the
going to do in the run-up to the
going to do in the run-up to the election he’s either done it he’s
election he’s either done it he’s
election he’s either done it he’s attempted to do it and if he hasn’t done
attempted to do it and if he hasn’t done
attempted to do it and if he hasn’t done it he’s come out through Twitter I
it he’s come out through Twitter I
it he’s come out through Twitter I always come out through the media and
always come out through the media and
always come out through the media and he’s tried to explain to you why he
he’s tried to explain to you why he
he’s tried to explain to you why he couldn’t do it and for me that’s really
couldn’t do it and for me that’s really
couldn’t do it and for me that’s really important and that’s why he’s been able
important and that’s why he’s been able
important and that’s why he’s been able to hold his baseline support because
to hold his baseline support because
to hold his baseline support because he’s been able to show people that when
he’s been able to show people that when
he’s been able to show people that when he’s going in there even though he
he’s going in there even though he
he’s going in there even though he probably knew that he can impart and
probably knew that he can impart and
probably knew that he can impart and things free he’s trying to justify it
things free he’s trying to justify it
things free he’s trying to justify it whereas my questions the good
whereas my questions the good
whereas my questions the good intentioned politicians and more sort of
intentioned politicians and more sort of
intentioned politicians and more sort of progressive politicians are when you get
progressive politicians are when you get
progressive politicians are when you get into power it can happen honestly it can
into power it can happen honestly it can
into power it can happen honestly it can happen that you might be elected your
happen that you might be elected your
happen that you might be elected your plate you know you might be good
plate you know you might be good
plate you know you might be good intention you might be thinking yes I am
intention you might be thinking yes I am
intention you might be thinking yes I am winner for example freezer all fares on
winner for example freezer all fares on
winner for example freezer all fares on tubes or whatever it is right
tubes or whatever it is right
tubes or whatever it is right when you get into power it’s a
when you get into power it’s a
when you get into power it’s a completely different level of game and
completely different level of game and
completely different level of game and it might be that you might not have the
it might be that you might not have the
it might be that you might not have the money you might have to make compromise
money you might have to make compromise
money you might have to make compromise somewhere well why can’t you just come
somewhere well why can’t you just come
somewhere well why can’t you just come out and just say look I wanted to do it
out and just say look I wanted to do it
out and just say look I wanted to do it but for this reason I can’t but we’re
but for this reason I can’t but we’re
but for this reason I can’t but we’re going to see how we can do it and I
going to see how we can do it and I
going to see how we can do it and I think people would appreciate that
think people would appreciate that
think people would appreciate that so that’s my point there about Donald
so that’s my point there about Donald
so that’s my point there about Donald Trump what I don’t agree something he
Trump what I don’t agree something he
Trump what I don’t agree something he says then we go into this picture now
says then we go into this picture now
says then we go into this picture now you might be thinking gosh whatever
you might be thinking gosh whatever
you might be thinking gosh whatever Conte but football is one of the
Conte but football is one of the
Conte but football is one of the greatest examples I think for our
greatest examples I think for our
greatest examples I think for our democracy and it says that I think our
democracy and it says that I think our
democracy and it says that I think our democracy I mean there’s a lot of
democracy I mean there’s a lot of
democracy I mean there’s a lot of discussion around whether we go to
discussion around whether we go to
discussion around whether we go to liquid democracy or direct democracy
liquid democracy or direct democracy
liquid democracy or direct democracy which I personally don’t agree with but
which I personally don’t agree with but
which I personally don’t agree with but I do passionately feel that our
I do passionately feel that our
I do passionately feel that our democracy does need to reform to update
democracy does need to reform to update
democracy does need to reform to update to make sure that we’re meeting the
to make sure that we’re meeting the
to make sure that we’re meeting the needs of the new generation and what I
needs of the new generation and what I
needs of the new generation and what I mean by that is the way in which our
mean by that is the way in which our
mean by that is the way in which our democracy is accessible to young
democracy is accessible to young
democracy is accessible to young citizens or citizens generally for a
citizens or citizens generally for a
citizens or citizens generally for a long time in football for those of you
long time in football for those of you
long time in football for those of you who are football fans there was this
who are football fans there was this
who are football fans there was this massive debate about whether we should
massive debate about whether we should
massive debate about whether we should introduce goal-line technology and many
introduce goal-line technology and many
introduce goal-line technology and many people felt that it would actually
people felt that it would actually
people felt that it would actually damage the sort of the you know the
damage the sort of the you know the
damage the sort of the you know the culture of football it was make it like
culture of football it was make it like
culture of football it was make it like rugby and it’ll be lari lari law but
rugby and it’ll be lari lari law but
rugby and it’ll be lari lari law but actually since : technology’s been
actually since : technology’s been
actually since : technology’s been introduced it’s probably been one of the
introduced it’s probably been one of the
introduced it’s probably been one of the best things that have happened in
best things that have happened in
best things that have happened in football it’s eliminated so much sort of
football it’s eliminated so much sort of
football it’s eliminated so much sort of problems in terms of you know people
problems in terms of you know people
problems in terms of you know people training so hard and then you know to be
training so hard and then you know to be
training so hard and then you know to be cheated for for what they’ve achieved
cheated for for what they’ve achieved
cheated for for what they’ve achieved and it’s a bit like politics you know
and it’s a bit like politics you know
and it’s a bit like politics you know why are we not having discussions about
why are we not having discussions about
why are we not having discussions about having for example online voting if you
having for example online voting if you
having for example online voting if you could trust you know your finances
could trust you know your finances
could trust you know your finances online why can’t you try to vote online
online why can’t you try to vote online
online why can’t you try to vote online you know we still live in a system where
you know we still live in a system where
you know we still live in a system where you have to go to your local polling
you have to go to your local polling
you have to go to your local polling station I mean like use my story I a lot
station I mean like use my story I a lot
station I mean like use my story I a lot of my friends come from non traditional
of my friends come from non traditional
of my friends come from non traditional sort of like non privileged backgrounds
sort of like non privileged backgrounds
sort of like non privileged backgrounds and they don’t really care about
and they don’t really care about
and they don’t really care about politics and the only reason why they’re
politics and the only reason why they’re
politics and the only reason why they’re voted in the last election in 2014 was
voted in the last election in 2014 was
voted in the last election in 2014 was because I was working for it and and I
because I was working for it and and I
because I was working for it and and I think about my cells I think to myself
think about my cells I think to myself
think about my cells I think to myself what I actually vote if I didn’t care
what I actually vote if I didn’t care
what I actually vote if I didn’t care like
like
like powers and in politics myself and you’ve
powers and in politics myself and you’ve
powers and in politics myself and you’ve got to take into so many things into the
got to take into so many things into the
got to take into so many things into the council for example if you’re waking up
council for example if you’re waking up
council for example if you’re waking up at the polling station opens at seven
at the polling station opens at seven
at the polling station opens at seven o’clock shuts at ten o’clock if you’re
o’clock shuts at ten o’clock if you’re
o’clock shuts at ten o’clock if you’re waking up to go to work right you’re not
waking up to go to work right you’re not
waking up to go to work right you’re not gonna wake up early are you to go to
gonna wake up early are you to go to
gonna wake up early are you to go to vote I mean very rarely people will do
vote I mean very rarely people will do
vote I mean very rarely people will do that most people would want to get no
that most people would want to get no
that most people would want to get no sleep they can come back from work you
sleep they can come back from work you
sleep they can come back from work you might go for a drink whatever it is or
might go for a drink whatever it is or
might go for a drink whatever it is or you might sit down you think I’ll get
you might sit down you think I’ll get
you might sit down you think I’ll get changed and by the time you’ve you know
changed and by the time you’ve you know
changed and by the time you’ve you know you’ve sat down and you got comfortable
you’ve sat down and you got comfortable
you’ve sat down and you got comfortable you probably think I’ll forget it is
you probably think I’ll forget it is
you probably think I’ll forget it is Malvo can actually make a difference so
Malvo can actually make a difference so
Malvo can actually make a difference so one of the things we can look at is
one of the things we can look at is
one of the things we can look at is making more polling stations accessible
making more polling stations accessible
making more polling stations accessible whether it’s online voting whether it’s
whether it’s online voting whether it’s
whether it’s online voting whether it’s making sure we have no online register
making sure we have no online register
making sure we have no online register to see whether you’re registered to vote
to see whether you’re registered to vote
to see whether you’re registered to vote so you can sign up to register vote
so you can sign up to register vote
so you can sign up to register vote online but it’s mind blowing that we
online but it’s mind blowing that we
online but it’s mind blowing that we live in such a technological age where
live in such a technological age where
live in such a technological age where you can’t even check if you’re
you can’t even check if you’re
you can’t even check if you’re registered to vote online imagine and
registered to vote online imagine and
registered to vote online imagine and there’s a whole way wide range of other
there’s a whole way wide range of other
there’s a whole way wide range of other reforms that potentially can be made
reforms that potentially can be made
reforms that potentially can be made around sort of electoral reform so I
around sort of electoral reform so I
around sort of electoral reform so I mean if you’re if you’re living in the
mean if you’re if you’re living in the
mean if you’re if you’re living in the area where it’s a majority sort of labor
area where it’s a majority sort of labor
area where it’s a majority sort of labor seat and you wanted to vote for a
seat and you wanted to vote for a
seat and you wanted to vote for a Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives
Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives
Liberal Democrats or the Conservatives you might think what’s the point I’m
you might think what’s the point I’m
you might think what’s the point I’m voting because if I vote it’s not really
voting because if I vote it’s not really
voting because if I vote it’s not really gonna count towards the National vote so
gonna count towards the National vote so
gonna count towards the National vote so I guess what I’m trying to say is is
I guess what I’m trying to say is is
I guess what I’m trying to say is is there’s so many things that we can
there’s so many things that we can
there’s so many things that we can actually do to actually make sure that
actually do to actually make sure that
actually do to actually make sure that our democracy is more accessible and I’m
our democracy is more accessible and I’m
our democracy is more accessible and I’m not here to give you the answers of what
not here to give you the answers of what
not here to give you the answers of what that could be but there are many things
that could be but there are many things
that could be but there are many things options that we can deliver and I think
options that we can deliver and I think
options that we can deliver and I think that yes whilst our democracy does work
that yes whilst our democracy does work
that yes whilst our democracy does work really well there are so many things
really well there are so many things
really well there are so many things that we can actually do to improve to
that we can actually do to improve to
that we can actually do to improve to make sure that sit there’s a structured
make sure that sit there’s a structured
make sure that sit there’s a structured engaging platform between citizens and
engaging platform between citizens and
engaging platform between citizens and decision making processes now on the
decision making processes now on the
decision making processes now on the 23rd of June 2016 we made the historic
23rd of June 2016 we made the historic
23rd of June 2016 we made the historic decision to leave the European Union and
decision to leave the European Union and
decision to leave the European Union and for me one of the benefits of that was I
for me one of the benefits of that was I
for me one of the benefits of that was I was a passionate remainer one of the
was a passionate remainer one of the
was a passionate remainer one of the benefits of that is the fact actually
benefits of that is the fact actually
benefits of that is the fact actually it’s engaged since then it’s politicized
it’s engaged since then it’s politicized
it’s engaged since then it’s politicized so many young people more than ever
so many young people more than ever
so many young people more than ever before it’s a bit like the Scottish
before it’s a bit like the Scottish
before it’s a bit like the Scottish referendum where in Scotland if anyone
referendum where in Scotland if anyone
referendum where in Scotland if anyone has ever studied the the Scottish
has ever studied the the Scottish
has ever studied the the Scottish referendum in 2014 that’s a lot of young
referendum in 2014 that’s a lot of young
referendum in 2014 that’s a lot of young people who have politicized by that
people who have politicized by that
people who have politicized by that issue and whenever you go to Scotland
issue and whenever you go to Scotland
issue and whenever you go to Scotland what has happened in the long term is
what has happened in the long term is
what has happened in the long term is that
that
that those people have continued to want to
those people have continued to want to
those people have continued to want to engage with democratic processes and
engage with democratic processes and
engage with democratic processes and breaks it for me is an opportunity it’s
breaks it for me is an opportunity it’s
breaks it for me is an opportunity it’s an opportunity for us to for once and
an opportunity for us to for once and
an opportunity for us to for once and for all when we’re thinking about the
for all when we’re thinking about the
for all when we’re thinking about the future what type of country do you want
future what type of country do you want
future what type of country do you want i to the shape and where young people
i to the shape and where young people
i to the shape and where young people fit in this because ultimately it’s our
fit in this because ultimately it’s our
fit in this because ultimately it’s our generation that will live and fit the
generation that will live and fit the
generation that will live and fit the longest so it’s a real opportunity to
longest so it’s a real opportunity to
longest so it’s a real opportunity to actually use the brexit referent the
actually use the brexit referent the
actually use the brexit referent the brexit case to make sure that I’m
brexit case to make sure that I’m
brexit case to make sure that I’m actually thinking about long term
actually thinking about long term
actually thinking about long term political engagement and then we had
political engagement and then we had
political engagement and then we had also the general election in 2017
also the general election in 2017
also the general election in 2017 many people thought you know young
many people thought you know young
many people thought you know young people aren’t going to turn out to vote
people aren’t going to turn out to vote
people aren’t going to turn out to vote again there’s no point worth engaging
again there’s no point worth engaging
again there’s no point worth engaging with young people but actually we saw
with young people but actually we saw
with young people but actually we saw the high youth the highest you turn out
the high youth the highest you turn out
the high youth the highest you turn out whether it’s 60 percent 70 percent 50
whether it’s 60 percent 70 percent 50
whether it’s 60 percent 70 percent 50 percent whatever it is like you know I
percent whatever it is like you know I
percent whatever it is like you know I know there’s a lot of contention around
know there’s a lot of contention around
know there’s a lot of contention around what a percentage isn’t it’s
what a percentage isn’t it’s
what a percentage isn’t it’s mind-blowing why the Electoral
mind-blowing why the Electoral
mind-blowing why the Electoral Commission hasn’t still released that
Commission hasn’t still released that
Commission hasn’t still released that data but the point is is that young
data but the point is is that young
data but the point is is that young people do care and for far too long when
people do care and for far too long when
people do care and for far too long when politicians have tried to engage with
politicians have tried to engage with
politicians have tried to engage with young people they have always tried to
young people they have always tried to
young people they have always tried to engage with process so I’ll say to you
engage with process so I’ll say to you
engage with process so I’ll say to you yeah go out and vote and if you don’t
yeah go out and vote and if you don’t
yeah go out and vote and if you don’t vote don’t complain that’s why you
vote don’t complain that’s why you
vote don’t complain that’s why you should vote why would anyone vote if you
should vote why would anyone vote if you
should vote why would anyone vote if you say that to someone what are you
say that to someone what are you
say that to someone what are you actually selling to that person what
actually selling to that person what
actually selling to that person what vision are you selling to that person
vision are you selling to that person
vision are you selling to that person and Jeremy Corbyn to be fair to done
and Jeremy Corbyn to be fair to done
and Jeremy Corbyn to be fair to done just that he sold a vision he never
just that he sold a vision he never
just that he sold a vision he never explicitly came out to say this is a
explicitly came out to say this is a
explicitly came out to say this is a young person’s policy but what he done
young person’s policy but what he done
young person’s policy but what he done was going back to what I spoke about he
was going back to what I spoke about he
was going back to what I spoke about he spoke about the issues that actually
spoke about the issues that actually
spoke about the issues that actually mattered to young people and that’s
mattered to young people and that’s
mattered to young people and that’s where people took up an interest so my
where people took up an interest so my
where people took up an interest so my hope is is that at some point as years
hope is is that at some point as years
hope is is that at some point as years go on people will learn from sort of
go on people will learn from sort of
go on people will learn from sort of some of the previous mistakes that we’ve
some of the previous mistakes that we’ve
some of the previous mistakes that we’ve made I’ve had enough of giving these
made I’ve had enough of giving these
made I’ve had enough of giving these talks everywhere I wish that I don’t
talks everywhere I wish that I don’t
talks everywhere I wish that I don’t have to give these talks and I wish I
have to give these talks and I wish I
have to give these talks and I wish I wish that other they have to have my
wish that other they have to have my
wish that other they have to have my facepalm in every meeting that I go to
facepalm in every meeting that I go to
facepalm in every meeting that I go to but I do think that there is progress
but I do think that there is progress
but I do think that there is progress being made and people are starting to
being made and people are starting to
being made and people are starting to see that actually the youth vote is one
see that actually the youth vote is one
see that actually the youth vote is one that is worth caring for but that idea
that is worth caring for but that idea
that is worth caring for but that idea that young people don’t care about
that young people don’t care about
that young people don’t care about politics is an
politics is an
politics is an absolute myth of course they care about
absolute myth of course they care about
absolute myth of course they care about the issues that affect them and I’ll
the issues that affect them and I’ll
the issues that affect them and I’ll just end by saying this they say that we
just end by saying this they say that we
just end by saying this they say that we can’t complain because we don’t vote
can’t complain because we don’t vote
can’t complain because we don’t vote they say that we are not worthy enough
they say that we are not worthy enough
they say that we are not worthy enough of an election pledge because we are
of an election pledge because we are
of an election pledge because we are less likely to vote and they say that we
less likely to vote and they say that we
less likely to vote and they say that we do not care about the issues that affect
do not care about the issues that affect
do not care about the issues that affect us and those who were 16 and 17 year
us and those who were 16 and 17 year
us and those who were 16 and 17 year olds should not be given the right to
olds should not be given the right to
olds should not be given the right to vote because they are not responsible
vote because they are not responsible
vote because they are not responsible enough and I’m here to say that you are
enough and I’m here to say that you are
enough and I’m here to say that you are wrong thank you
wrong thank you
wrong thank you [Applause]
”
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