The biggest criticism of politics in the last few years is that there has been very little to choose between the various candidates. Most people are apathetic, but there are many reasons why specifically young people feel disengaged from politics. It is believed that First Time Voters will have the lowest turnouts at the ballot boxes in May.
Media Portrayal
One of the biggest complaints of young people is how they are portrayed in the media – media that often has a political agenda to portray them in a certain light – usually as problems to be tackled. If they are not shown to be lazy and disrespectful, they are shown as a danger and a menace to society hanging around on street corners – and of course, they apparently all want something for nothing! Young people feel disengaged from politics because they are rarely seen in a positive light by media or politics.
Lack of Trust
While many people of all ages feel bored with politics, and trust of politicians and decision makers is at an all-time low, the ideals of right and wrong are strongest in youth. Many who have lived through the controversies of expenses and other scandals to rock Parliament in the last decade, some of these are single issues that contributed to a long-term downward trend. There is no passion for politics as there was in the 20th century and many young people feel disengaged because they cannot trust government to do the right thing.
Feeling Ignored
Mostly, young people feel disengaged from politics because politicians and their parties seem far more concerned with other groups. Nobody ever talks about gunning for “The Young Vote” but they do talk about “The Grey Vote” (older people), “Women’s Vote”, “Working Class Vote”, “Parents’ Vote”, “Savers Vote” and so on. They often feel that those groups are given bribes in the form of tax relief or benefits. News outlet International Business Times found that young people do not feel any of the main parties represent them.
Lack of Choice
It is a common complaint amongst all demographics that the parties are too similar these days – that there is very little to choose between them. This is mostly down to the carefully orchestrated PR machine of modern politics, but it is also a recognition that seizing the middle ground (where most people sit politically) was lucrative for a Labour and Conservative party that were in danger of becoming unelectable. For many, it is reminiscent of the Henry Ford saying “you can have my car in any colour your like so long as it’s black”. Perhaps this is what has fuelled both the Green and the UKIP surge.