There has been a lot of focus in the build up to May’s
election about young people and encouraging them to vote. I am a young person
(at 22 I’m slightly clinging on to the title, nonetheless I’m just about there)
and for the first time, I will be voting for who runs the country, although I’m
currently undecided. However, I can see why a lot of young people might not
want to vote.
I don’t want to vote for someone who is a lesser evil, or “not
as bad as that guy.” I want to vote for a leader. I want to vote for someone
who inspires me, someone who I can trust is working for my future and not his
or her own. This is something I believe the country is lacking.
There is a huge gap between power and leadership. Power can
be obtained through many means, not all of them desirable – corruption and lies
not the least. Leadership though, is a quality that takes years and years of
refining.
Our leaders might be well educated, they might have the most
prestigious qualifications and know everything there is to know about politics.
While knowledge is undoubtedly important, the skill of leadership is something
entirely different.
A leader, a true leader, forgets their own agenda. They
forget their own desires and they fight for the cause and the welfare of those
following them. Modern day politicians do not fit this billing. They claim to,
yes, because that will win them votes.
If they were truly working
for the average person, why has the general populace become so disenchanted
with our entire political system and those who claim to have our interests at
heart?
This is even more so the case with young people, who have
grown up being taught, in many cases, that politicians cannot be trusted.
Stories in the media have fed this lesson and so young people who are now of
age to vote, do not wish to do so. Who can blame them?
I truly believe every young person (well, every person)
should vote. The problem is, I believe the options we have are simply not good
enough. I've heard it said many times that those in positions of power are
often those who shouldn't have that power. If we look at our political leaders –
there aren't many I think that doesn't apply to.
A shake up in our system is needed. If we want young people
to get passionate about politics, we need those who claim power to deserve it
and to give us something to believe in.
This is my challenge to our would-be PMs – make us believe
in you. Don’t feed us promises to get you into number 10. Be honest, be
transparent and give us a real reason to vote. Lead, and the young people will
follow.
Will you be voting? Why/why not? Let me know below.
