This is the world's biggest election year in history. But many teenagers in the UK have no knowledge of even basic political facts. Harrison from Discovery Academy interviewed his classmates in Stoke-On-Trent to find out why.
Teenagers don't matter when it comes to politics, everyone knows that! But is that necessarily the truth? The attitudes of teenagers can give us a relatively accurate glimpse into society's politics in a few decades. Young people will be living with the consequences of the 2024 general election for the longest, their voices deserve to be heard. Teenagers are the next generation of voters, that's why I asked students from the Discovery Academy in Stoke-on-Trent about their opinions on two controversial topics, taxes and Brexit, but also about their knowledge of our country's political system.
The responses from this group of year 10 students show that our education system is failing to teach young people about their country and the politics that control it. None could name their constituency, and only 8% could name their local MPMember of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.. However, the future seems leftist as many students say they would vote for Labour and no students would vote for either the ConservativesA traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories. or the Brexit PartyNow known as Reform UK, a right-wing populist party in the UK. . Unfortunately 42% of students said they didn't understand what the different political parties stood for. It is a travesty that the young people of today are being blinded to the options they have for their voting futures. Eighty-three percent of students say they would have voted to remain in the European UnionA political and economic union of 27 countries. in the 2016 referendum.
Only a third of the students fully understood mortgages, payslips and taxes. All students want this to be taught in school, but they are split on whether in PSHE or in maths. Ninety-two percent of students want politics to be taught in school, because only 17% understand what the two Houses of Parliament do and how they are different to each other.
A shocking 92% of students think that the views of young people are not represented in politics. The students, however, do believe that the government is doing a 5.67/10 job of running the country! Woefully, students say that their excitement levels to be of age to vote in 5.5/10. I find this regrettable, as voting can be such an exciting turning point in a person's life, people should be enthusiastic to express their opinions and vote for the way the country will be run.
Politics is vastly unknown by the majority of the population, and this leads to elections that don't truly reflect the values of a nation. Many are simply unaware of the existence of third parties - for most elections are a battle between Labour and the Conservatives, but they're not! If we teach politics in school, I firmly believe that the running of the country will be smoother, elections fairer, politicians more accountable, and the United Kingdom a better place to live. Wars or rebellions can stem from a lack of education around politics. We must not devolve into that. Instead we must teach our children better so that the future is brighter.
Keywords
MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Brexit Party - Now known as Reform UK, a right-wing populist party in the UK.
European Union - A political and economic union of 27 countries.
Our education system is failing us all
Glossary
MP - Member of Parliament. There are 650 MPs representing people in different areas of the UK.
Conservatives - A traditionally right-wing or centre right political party in the UK. Members are sometimes called Tories.
Brexit Party - Now known as Reform UK, a right-wing populist party in the UK.
European Union - A political and economic union of 27 countries.