A selfie Labour MP Ivan Lewis took with me and the young people who attened the Shape Your Future Event.
The House Of Commons is a beautiful building that has an air of superiority and elegance about it, walking in .. me and the young people that attended the 'Shape Your Future' event, had to go through a number of airport security checks. Although I am quite sceptical about policing these days, I became transfixed with the police officers guarding the building. I can't really explain it, but everyone within the House Of Commons suddenly became as interesting as a character who jumped out of a childhood fairytale book would be. You get the point right, well you should now!
The event started with everyone being asked to write down on a piece of paper what first springs to mind when they hear the word 'politics'. Everyone started writing away, the enthusiasm glowing on their faces. I wrote the word corruption on my piece of paper with a smug look on my face, before sitting down with my arms crossed over each other, looking around the room waiting for everyone to finish too. I had the chance to read out my thoughts aloud, and so I explored the strategic tactics, otherwise what we would call lies politicians use to get votes from the public. I spoke briefly about the corruption within parties and how they are more concerned with publicity, then sticking to promises and producing good results.
Power was another issue that was highlighted during the discussion by another young person, and how politicians bear the responsibility of holding the power to have an impact on our lives, whether for the best or the worst. An interesting question was posed to myself and the young people present, as to ..do we think you need to be a politician to have power. The bulk of silence swooped over me, but I could almost sense everybody's answers in analysing their body language (no, I am in no way insinuating that I am telepathic). Seemed to me that everyone regarded politicians as influential figures who possess the platform to create policies that have a direct effect on our lives.
After this discussion, we spent roughly half an hour, being put into groups of 4 and scrutinising the policies pledged by the different electoral parties in relation to employment, housing, the NHS and education. I have always had a mild form of interest in politics, but actually sitting in the environment of the House Of Commons today and being amongst the presence of labour politician Ivan Lewis, I really started getting passionate about shaping the future for myself and others through policy intervention.
I do not agree with the Conservatives in wanting to pay for three million apprenticeships, through money being used from benefit cuts. I think this is wrong and unjust, as those who are living in poverty are even more marginalised and will struggle more to get by. I come from a family, where both my parents are unemployed and on social security benefits, as they are deemed unfit to work due to their unfortunate physical illnesses. So if the Tories will be re-elected into power again, I fear to anticipate the financial situation for lower-income families. It seems to me that the Conservative party focus on a particular demographic of people when coming up with their plans. Therefore, they are not fair in their policies and in effect, will not appeal to the majority.
However, the Labour party instil more hope and optimism (two words Lewis kept referring to repeatedly in addressing the Labour party mission) in me for the future, as a result of the confidence they portray through the guarantees they offer. For example, Labour boasts a guarantee that those under 25, who have been unemployed for more than a year, will be given a job. Also, they aim to ban all zero-hour contracts, which I think will help eradicate the exploitation that many student employees experience and therefore help create a fair and balanced economy. I guess it is safe to say that the Labour party will be getting my vote, and it isn't due to the charming nature of Lewis, okay maybe a little bit.
Moreover, it warms my heart to hear and learn that the Labour party are really trying to implement positive changes for the people of Britain in the current housing crisis that they are now facing. The Labour party claim to build up to 200,000 homes by 2020 and using this as a ploy to create up to 23,000 jobs in construction.
We shared our thoughts on policies set out by the electoral parties, before listening attentively to Ivan Lewis's closing speech. It was really heart-warming and moving to know that some MP's really do care for young people's engagement in politics and are willing to give their voices a platform so that bigger and better change can happen in our society.
As Lewis quite proudly said, "It's not the title you hold, its the difference you make." This really inspired me and I hope to keep this in mind in as much situations as I can. I do like titles and feeling significant, but I also aspire to inspire and create a difference in the world I live in.
Just in case I haven't made it clear, the Labour party will be getting my vote :) Lets hope I live to be proud of my decision and not regretful.