A Youth hustings for the Young?

On September 1, 2011, in Voting, by Lyndon-Farnham

As I have been preparing my election campaign I have taken the opportunity to speak with many people, from all walks of society, about a number of different issues likely to be of significance especially between now and election day on 19th October.

 One group in particular I have discovered to be more distanced from the process of the election and, the key issues, are our young people and this concerns me. Whilst one might not expect the younger members of the electorate to be excited about the prospect of voting one might expect a higher level interest given the voting age is now 16.  This is no criticism of the younger generation but more of a sudden realisation that if we do not attempt to engross this sector of the electorate then a significant number of young people will remain disengaged from the electoral process. 

I am therefore going to propose to my fellow Senatorial election candidates that we hold a Youth Hustings.  My proposal is simply to provide a platform and an opportunity for the 16-21 age group to question the candidates in a conclave of their own peers.  This, I hope, will begin to encourage that age group to ask us the questions that are not only pertinent to themselves but will also highlight the important issues that are so relevant to our young population but often overlooked given the demographic of the active electorate. A failure to do this I believe would be a neglect of our duty to ensure the election of a truly representative Assembly – and given the undoubted ability, intelligence and potential of some of the young people I spoke with, I think we may well be surprised!

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4 Responses to A Youth hustings for the Young?

  1. Democratus says:

    Any undate on the youth hustings? Are any other candidates pushing for this too? Who are the democrats, and who are the stick in the muds?

    • Lyndon-Farnham says:

      All the candidates seemed happy to support the idea. It was agreed to contact the education department to ask their assistance/advice re a suitable date, time and venue which we hope will facilitate a good turn out of young people – thanks for your post.

  2. Lyndon-Farnham says:

    Thanks George – we need to find a good venue for this, any suggestions anyone?

  3. George says:

    Good idea I hope there is a decent turnout. Best of luck with the elections.

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