Latest news with #politicaleducation
BBC News
5 days ago
- Politics
- BBC News
'Help us vote by teaching us more about politics' -17-year-olds
Teenagers in Greater Manchester have welcomed the lowering of the voting age but said the change needs to come with an "unbiased" education about politics in schools. The government has announced that 16 and 17 year-olds will be able to vote at the next general a group of 17 year-olds told BBC Radio Manchester they want to be taught more about politics in schools to properly prepare them for casting a said: "I think it's only fair really that you can vote for people who choose how the money is spent from your taxation." He represents Bury in the UK Youth Parliament, has welcomed confirmation the Labour government will go ahead with its manifesto promise change the voting said; "I think it's fantastic the government's announced votes at 16 and lowering the voting age. Young people can join the army, they can pay tax, they can drive a car at 17."I think there is a lot of young people that are interested and I think if the government pushes political education it'll get more young people involved." Zain, from Bury, is interested in politics but not involved in the Youth Parliament, and said he felt the voting age should have been lowered said: "I think that if 16 year olds can work and potentially earn enough to pay taxes they should have a say in what the government does with their tax revenue and where it goes for example like schools.""If politicians have to factor in that young people are also going to be voting then they have to try and appeal to the younger people as well and so I think there'll be a change in what their policies are," he added. 'Never involved' Amelia, who's also from Bury, said: "I was 16 during the last election and I didn't get a say."And I'm going to be 20 roughly around the time when the next election comes and that's a large part of my life which has been affected which I just couldn't do anything about."She said she thinks younger people would take more interest in politics if they're encouraged to. Amelia said: "Maybe not everyone has an interest in politics but it's the same way that not every adult has an interest in politics. "I think you involve them in the conversation and then they will gain that interest," she added. Milton, 17 from Manchester, has been politically active since he was 14 but he does not believe lowering the voting age is said: "Adulthood is set at 18 in this country, so before that you can't buy alcohol in the store, you can't buy fireworks, you can't buy cigarettes, and so legally, it doesn't really make sense."Some are mature enough to vote, some aren't and it leaves people to possibly be influenced by adults like their parents or someone online saying, 'you should vote for this person, that person'. "And I don't think that would have a great affects on the electoral system." Safi, who represents Stockport in the Youth Parliament, said she is happy about the move but thinks more political education at school is essential to prepare teenagers to said; "Young people need to feel confident in their vote like we can't give them the vote without them being educated enough to actually make the right decision for them. "I think it needs to be delivered in a very standardised, unbiased way so that young people can choose what aligns with their beliefs the most." Listen to the best of BBC Radio Manchester on Sounds and follow BBC Manchester on Facebook, X, and Instagram. You can also send story ideas via Whatsapp to 0808 100 2230.
The Guardian
23-07-2025
- Politics
- The Guardian
Educate teenagers on politics before letting them vote
During the last general election, my grandson's secondary school held a mock election in which the oldest students voted (Voting age to be lowered to 16 across UK by next general election, 17 July). The majority voted for Nigel Farage, not because of his policies, but because the students thought he was 'hilarious'. To this result, my 16-year-old grandson said: 'And that's why they don't give 16-year-olds the vote.' Unless secondary schools and sixth forms start teaching politics and political systems in school and encourage the notion of informed debate, young voters will get their information from social media (and not from the Guardian app). Having a well-informed tranche of young voters would be wonderful. Imagine an interested and probing group of voters who could challenge policy and refuse to put up with obfuscation. However, unless we enable young teenagers to find the facts among the overwhelming amount of disinformation on social media, this move could end up being Keir Starmer's PerkinsHorsham, West Sussex Reducing the voting age to 16 is long overdue. For far too long, old people have had the arrogance to believe that they know best. They almost never change their voting habits. They read the same newspaper as they have always done, for confirmation bias, making them liable to information distortion. And for many, dare I say, their cognitive degeneration can put them out of touch with reality. I may have become a grumpy old man (now in my eighth decade), but I still recognise that young people are more refreshing John FletcherDundee Rowena Mason draws attention to the disappointing turnout by 16- and 17-year-olds in the 2021 Senedd elections (Lowering the voting age: a boost for UK democracy or a shot in the dark?, 17 July). I was a member of the committee that recommended the lower voting age in Wales. But we also stressed that better civic education is needed if 16- and 17-year-olds are to become politically engaged. That did not happen. The UK government needs to learn that SilkCrickhowell, Powys I have no problem with votes at 16, provided that schools allow bona fide political parties access to their students. When I taught in a West German grammar school in the mid-1970s, the main political parties often used to man a stall in the playground, offering literature and other information to potential student voters. I struggle to find such freedom in our schools, where politics, if discussed at all, tends to be theoretical rather than practical and certainly never party-based. Had we on these islands lived under a dictatorship, we might be less afraid of grasping the nettle, as countries like Germany MarriottNorth Hykeham, Lincolnshire So, the voting age is to be lowered to 16 by the next election. Is this to get their disgust and distrust of politicians in early? It might be better for the government to spend time looking at why voter turnout is so low, rather than make it worse by increasing the size of the electorate. The cabinet could do what it promised (change, not more austerity) and all politicians could represent the people's SmithGuildford, Surrey Have an opinion on anything you've read in the Guardian today? Please email us your letter and it will be considered for publication in our letters section.
Daily Mail
17-07-2025
- Politics
- Daily Mail
Dems unveil new podcaster they hope will become left-wing Joe Rogan
Democrat supporters have unveiled a new podcaster they hope will become the left-wing Joe Rogan: the party's former chair, Jaime Harrison. At Our Table, which launched on Thursday, is described on its website as a space for 'honest, unfiltered conversations about our nation's challenges and hopes'. Harrison speaks with guests at his South Carolina home, including failed VP hopeful Tim Walz, and Hunter Biden, the disgraced son of former president Joe Biden. The former DNC chair told Semafor he hopes the podcast will provide a political education ahead of the 2028 presidential primary. 'Civic education in America is at an all-time low,' said Harrison, 49. 'It's really important to start educating people about these processes that are so important in terms of determining who our leaders will be.' Harrison said he also envisages At Our Table as a platform for Democrats to open up in the same way Donald Trump did for hours on air with Joe Rogan before he was elected for a second term in the White House. The Joe Rogan Experience is one of the most popular podcasts of all time, with 14.5 million followers by the end of 2024. Trump's approval rating surged as he appeared on mainstream social media channels like Rogan's ahead of the presidential election. Harrison told Semafor he had been mulling over launching a podcast 'for a while', and his first guests also include Maryland Governor Wes Moore, and South Carolina Rep. James Clyburn. He said the Democratic Party had toyed with launching a YouTube channel called DTV, which he would anchor, but decided they didn't have the resources. The former politician said though, that after seeing increasing numbers of Americans 'getting their news from social media channels', he felt a left-leaning podcast was 'needed'. Harrison also outlined why he decided to interview Hunter Biden, who has been found guilty of illegally owning a gun while using drugs and filing his taxes late in recent years. 'In many ways, I think Hunter Biden has become a caricature in politics,' the podcast host told Semafor. 'A lot of people don't know how smart he is, don't know his background, don't know the stuff that he's worked on. 'They only know what either his allies or his enemies have put out there, and he's been defined by that. 'I thought it would be really interesting to pull back the curtain so that people got a chance to understand who he is, and for him to get an opportunity to talk about some of the things that maybe he's only been able to talk to his family members about. Harrison said he hopes the podcast will become a platform for Democrats to open up in the same way Donald Trump did for hours on air with Joe Rogan before he was elected in 2024. 'We Democrats put ourselves in straitjackets, and we sanitize every damn thing that comes out of our mouths,' the podcast host said. 'So what does come out comes out without any soul. Republicans understand the power of emotion. It could be fear or it could be joy, but it's emotion, and they use it.' Harrison added that by contrast to Trump ahead of the 2024 presidential election, Kamala Harris and Tim Walz were 'muzzled' by their press teams and did not do enough interviews.
Free Malaysia Today
24-06-2025
- Business
- Free Malaysia Today
DAP to develop new HQ after 15 years at Jalan Pudu
DAP moved its national headquarters from Petaling Jaya to Jalan Yew, off Jalan Pudu, Kuala Lumpur, in 2010. (File pic) PETALING JAYA : DAP is set to develop a new national headquarters for the party after 15 years at its current base off Jalan Pudu in Kuala Lumpur. In a statement, DAP secretary-general Loke Siew Fook said the party's assistant national treasurer, Ng Sze Han, would lead the project. 'The central executive committee has resolved to embark on the development of a new party headquarters to accommodate its growing membership and increasing administrative needs,' Loke said. DAP moved its national headquarters from Petaling Jaya to Jalan Yew, off Jalan Pudu, in 2010. Loke also announced that DAP would set up a political school soon, with deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming to spearhead this initiative. He said the goal of the school was to 'institutionalise political education of the party and integrate political concepts across various levels of learning'. 'The party school will be tasked with training both party leaders and grassroots members, ensuring continuous political development,' he said. He also said DAP deputy secretary-general Steven Sim would chair a committee to plan and execute a series of events to celebrate the party turning 60 next year.
Malay Mail
24-06-2025
- Politics
- Malay Mail
DAP to build new national HQ after 15 years in Pudu, says Loke
KUALA LUMPUR, June 24 — DAP has embarked on a development project to establish a new national party headquarters after 15 years at its current site in Pudu, party secretary-general Anthony Loke said today. Loke said the party's highest decision-making body, the Central Executive Committee (CEC), made the decision to meet the needs of its growing membership and expanding administrative functions. The DAP national headquarters is currently located along Jalan Yew, off Jalan Pudu, after relocating from Jalan 24/9 in Petaling Jaya in 2010. "The Wisma DAP Project will be led by Ng Sze Han," he said. Ng is currently Selangor DAP chairman and assistant national treasurer. Apart from a new headquarters, Loke also announced that the party will set up a political school aimed at institutionalising political education and integrating political concepts across various levels of learning. 'The party school will be tasked with training both party leaders and grassroots members, ensuring continuous political development,' he said, adding that deputy chairman Nga Kor Ming has been selected to spearhead this initiative.
