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May6th 2011
Contents Editor-Mike Green Design- Mike Green Layout- Mike Green Factfiles-Mike Green Pictures-Mike green Adresss Journalism Lab. warrington campus, Crab Lane Website :WWW. Poltics now. co.uk
This is our PDF of our magazine. What do you think? Please let us know on 01925-5444 484 or e-mail us at the above address. We welcome your feedback and thoughts.
C ontents page
Welcome to our new issue of politics Now. In this issue wi, will be discusisng and debating the pros and cons of av , the issue ssurronding churcj potlitical organizations, and teh Tuc march In Liverpool. Coming up our release date , the local elctions are happening. Both groups have been campgaining furiously, with sides keen for teh country to back them at teh time of teh vote on May 5th. This magazien ahs obtained excluisve intreviews with both sides of the debate, and it apperas that it will p.2
be an intresting election. In terms of the future, Politics has now becoeme younger with young candaites standing in Warrington and with several young candaies tsnading includng Dan Price of Warrington South and with several young candaites standing, it is good as it it means the young will be provinding a future into the history of politics. The Future will look different aftre this date May 5th callls for a fresh approach, fresh voting system, and a new opportunity for people to discover politics. Mike Green.
p.2 opinion piece P.3 Church Action Poverty cordination intreview p.4 Young people encourged to vote by organization P.5: Bite The Ballot interview Warrington Young Labout and Conserveratatives interview (feature) (Bottom of page 7. Mayday march). P.8- A.V : Pros and Cons
Letters page Dear Politcs now, your issue from last december (issue 22)) conatined afunny article baout Willam Hague when eh was young. I found this amuisng. Yours, Fred Bloggs. Dear Poltlics now, Your story titled “Bozzy politicians” (issue 22, (March 2011), is reminscent of a lot of teh stories I haerd in teh 6os and 70s baout Polictains. Hoever I am not sure if it as relvant now, Dear Poltltics Now, Your article on NIck Clegg “ How One man can go from LEuro Mp to Deputy Prime Minster in le 5 yaers” shows teh considerable class inequalties in our country. The fcat that someone of that facilty can suceed is not suprising. If anything, it hsows that te people who go to teh best cshools will often suceed above those who maybe didn’t. Yours Tom B (Horchester)
Young people now more politically active then ever before.
Factfile for young people
* less young people turned up to vote in the last election in 2010 7 percent then the vaerage of who turned out to vote at the last election 64 per cent. However work was done to combat this , according to the council of Worthing, who attempted to reslove these issues by designing a facebook site and attempting to enage young people with it. Tim Louthon MP worote to the leader of Worting council in order to secure an ice rink. Further political enagagement was sought when North Somerset Youth Council decide they wanted to change their MP. Subsequently, a afceboook group was est and therfore this became 387 members incluidng several 15 and 16 year olds. . Robert Smith attempted to create an website to enage young peoople in politics. the age range was under 30. the website was launched in January 2011 and gained over 300 followers on twitter. Furthermore, an event was organised by two councils in 2008, 84 per cent of followers found that they found out more about theircouncillor, or had more knowledge about a councillor. Finally, a young citzen event was held between November and Dcember 2010. with over 5,500 people completing an online survey. A youtube conference clip of this has been 7,7000 times.
Opinion piece By Mike Green What is currently interesting about the political climate is how good the future is in terms of young political talent. The future is good for politics, with lots of young people being represented across the country, and with Nick Clegg and David Cameron now in power, the number of people involved in politics has gone up tenfold and this can only be good for politics, a sit broadens the appeal of politics and makes it better. Back in 2006, the age of when people can be elected to parliament can be reduced to 18, and this has largely been a resounding success. In terms of the future of young activists in Politics is clearly going to be good. In the future, politics will be dominated by the youngsters of today. The youngest Mp elected at the last election is Pamela Nash. Miss Nash herself has shown she to be a good parliamentarian with Miss nah being elected to the parliamentarian group for multiple sclerosis,
and is also part of the group for all party parametric groups on housing. Furthermore, there are now younger councillors serving in public office with the youngest, Tom Bledsoe, now being active in. Politics now has been exploring this with several young people involved in the campaigning across the country. The Conservative Forward organization in Warrington South has brought freshness to tthe constituency, with the young people themselves taking ownership for their resposnbitlies. Furthermore Young people now want a say in how things are run. This is clear with the Warrington North constituency in which young people now play accentual role. Political participation has been declining for some years. With many young people now no longer interested in politics. According to a report from 2004, young people are less likely to vote then in the past the generation gap is more apparent in this country then in other countries, According to an electoral commission report from 2001,4, 55 per cent go 18-29 year olds voted, compared with
over 85 per cent of people 65 plus voting. This shows a clear generation gap in how people vote and what pitfalls there are. Young people are playing a more prominent role then ever before, with many young activists taking part in student’s protests over the last six months. Tuition fees has proved a bone of contention amongst younger people The fact is, young people are now politically active then ever before and often, this is demonstrated by young people’s belief in one particular cause. Whether it is tuition fees, or fighting to lower the voting age, young people are proactive. Furthermore, over the last year or so there has been numerous debate in the house of parliament with peers and members of parliament giving over their time to free up the chambers for young people to debate in them. This gave young people further recognition.
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Church Action Poverty Co-ordinator Alan tells us about his plans
Church Action In Poverty Publicity Material
By Mike green Church of action is an organisation, which is used to promote the church and highlight deprivation in the community, is the main aim of this organization, according to Alan Thornton, the Campaign Manger of the Church Action against Poverty group. Mt Thornton gives me a flavour of what the group do: “ Churches have been great at running soup kitchens, and what we do as an organization is dealing with symptoms of poverty, which is often caused by the rise in unemployment, challenges the cause of poverty and thereby picking people out of the river, trying to address structural causes of poverty, there is therefore a new war of government and consolation in theology but also working with people who are experiencing poverty are the real experts of poverty.” Mr Thronton further emphasises p.4
and brings the church into the discussion saying how people are involved The further issue that is raised by Mr Thornton is that the word “poverty is often more the just the structural parts of poverty, it is often the definition which is really clear: Mr Townsend says that Poverty is often described as material things, But as Mr Townsend says it is not t the only part of the definition him and the organization he belongs to: “ There’s more to mention when it comes to poverty the anything else in the bible all sorts of bits this is all related to theology and how Jesus spend his time about loving your neighbour and God is in all of us if we are offending people the we should attempt to resolve them. WE basically believe in social justice. Furthermore, Mr Thornton defines his role as helping the church to speak out against Poverty and the causes of poverty: “ basically, the role of church in action is to attempt to help the church speak out against poverty and to challenge people in power and where theirs
injustice targeting business and mps. That is the main aim of church in action. In order to get churches vacillated to sort out deprivation and highlighting eh issues of poverty across the The campaigns started by Church in action have generally been online and therefore Mr Thornton refers directly to this campaign: In the last few months I’ve been getting people to e-mail their local bishop who are charging high cost lenders. It is to do wit things such as high cost ratios. This therefore is a way of reducing costs for households Britain is therefore attempting to legalise limits because at min ratios can be 1,000 per cent. So you put your address details in suggest a letter then you maenad it, then you press send and go to a local newspaper. Furthermore Mr Thornton also refers directly to how he engages with people and how many people he engage s with: “ There is a bit of engagement some are activists some are inactive and therefore I work with about 4,00 people. Mr Thornton also refers directly to the events that it is involved with the organization called homeless action poverty we do a lot of events to highlight problems there is 170 of them in the uk. Finally, Mr Thornton tells me that he doesn’t except any change realistically over the next few years: “ The organization is relatively slow reformist, so therefore I don’t except revolutionary changes in the organization in the next few years. It appears then Church of Action in Poverty will be around for a long time to come.
Bite the ballot: How do you encourage a young person to vote? By MIchael Green An organization is encouraging young people to join it. Bite that ballot is a group which air aimed at 15-27 year olds and is encouraging people to join to find out more about politics and how we vote. Carding to Marvin, Kawasaki, one of the main members of bit the ballot he says it started through a-level students wanting to be more aware of politics and what is involved within Politics: “ Bite the ballot is a grassroots campaign which is aimed at people who aren’t necessarily have a major interest in politics. And political engagement and we felt we needed to make a conversation about politics. “ According to Marvin, the people within the organization and the age of the people involved is mostly young: “ Our target group is between 14 and 24, we believe that 14 year olds should have the opportunity to understand more about politics and the founding team is around n 19 to 27, but as other age ranges, we now have a Dartford branch and in the motion of setting one in Newcastle.” Mr Kawasaki also tells us about how and where bite the ballot operates:” “ Well we broadcast ourselves on the internet and social networking websites, we also go into schools, we go into academies we are aiming to go into colleges and universities.” Mr Kawasi also reveals when bite the Ballot was established: “Bite the ballot was established a year ago.” Mr kawasaki also reveals how they encourage people to vote: We host debates, we talk about issues in schools we find out what they want to
demonstrate different ways of voting in an interesting way.” Mr Kawasaki also reveals what type of people they have interviewed “ We have interviewed people like Nick Clegg. Alastair Stewart, and the person who exposed the expense scandal.” Mr Kawasaki also reveals how many people have been encouraged to go on the main site and we also have an active second site for Dartford, we have 19
Balllot box image by Mike Green
different supporters, who have to push the name forward. Mr Kavaski furthermore explains the need for active campaigners. “ It is very difficult to quantify how many active ones there are it is a campaign to talk about each other and talk to their friends. “ Finally Mr Kawasaki reveals about the organization expanding: “We always wanted to expand, expand expand as much as possible. This is a message in our campaign and we want everyone to be part of it.” Finally, Mr Kawaski tells the information about obtaining information about bite the ballot.: “ the best way too get information is via the facebook group. And to see what the heated discussions are like.”
Bite the ballot can be found on http:// www.bitetheballot.co.uk/bite_the_ ballot/index.htm.html
Factfile young people and voting
Young people and voting has been a consistent issue amongst the lawmakers of this country. Back in 2008, there was a deabate in poltical corners of teh Britsih aisles as to whether young people aged 16 or over should be given the vote. Bcak in 2008, this was a talking point amongst many people as to whether young poepel would be given the vote at 16. It is long believied that young people are capable of voting at 16. In 2008, the Uk youth paraliamnet asked the question and debated the idea would young people be intrested in voting at 16, and what would be the implications of this? p.5
Young Political activists fight for recongition in Warrington By Mike Green The image of what formerly used to be known as the Young Conservatories has now changed. I spoke to the chairman of the Party In Warrington South Johnathan Levy who told us about how Warrington Conservative future first originated. Warrington Conservative future was set up around about 2006, under the previous incumbent of the office, and Jonathan took over as Chairman in March 2010. I was last month reacted as chairman, and David was reflected as deputy chairman in March 2011 David, 22 is Deputy Chairman of Warrington Conservaeratataive future, who Is combing the last months go his studies with being deputy Chairman of Warrington Conservative Future says there is hundreds of things that he agrees with in terms of policy ideas and therefore these are the ideas that inspire him to be involved with the organization: “ There’s hundreds of policy ideas that I agree with, I agree with the Communities Secretary Eric Pickles and his approach to Local Government and also I believe the top-down approach that was employed by the previous government doesn’t work very well. Furthermore, Mr Mcneilage also informs me of when he joined the party. I first got involved with the party after European elections in June 2009. In terms of the chairman’s background, has describes himself as someone “fairly ordinary” not a person with typical conservatoire views, although he says some p.6
Conservative Chairmen, David McNeilage and , for Warrington North
people believe that he is the typical Tory: ”My’ father’s a doctor, so there is some criticism of my position: “Some people call me a typical Tory because of this but it doesn’t really bother me about me what people think.” Mr Levy also informs us of how he first got into the job of being involved with the Conservative party and how he got involved: “I didn’t want to go to university so I did a fast track news course at news associates. I then spend three months as an election volunteer. Mr levy also describes the time that has been spend most of his time canvassing as a pose to going to general meetings: “ I feel it’s more productive to us then just sat around a table having a meeting. MR McNeilage also agrees s with this: every month we have a social event and we have two or three other events
a month. In July we have a disability awareness meeting we also attend an event called brainwave. Mr Levy also claims that they are holding a stance on av and those they are firmly against av as a principle. We’ve been canvassing with regard to the av credendum. We had a street stall in Lymn. : “ I think most Conservatives are against the A.V. idea.” Therefore, most mps are against it also.” Mr mcnilelage reveals that is he is firmly against AV “ I am staunchly against av. Mr Levy furthermore reveals that there has been a significant response to Cameron becoming conserverarative leader in 2005. And that a significant number of people joined the party because of Cameron: “ Mr Cameron has brought a huge amount of energy to the party. Furthermore Mr. Levy also says that he
believes that a further influence with this is the fact that the party are in government: ” I think the fact that we are in government, and that we have increased our membership tenfold. I think it certainly plays a part in not just our local party but in the conseveratataive party as a whole. Furthermore, The labour party are also involved in Campaigning, with one young member Tom Williams explaining how the youth branch of labour functions and how their own campaigning is going. In terms of our membership, we’ve had quite a few new members join in the last few years, but thanks to the Tory led coalition, we had lots of young warringtonians wanting us to take the fight to them.” Furthermore, Mr Williams explains how many members they have and the reasons they have for joining the ranks of Labour: we have over 70 members across Warrington, many of whom joined after the lib deems
sold out young people everywhere. Furthermore, Mr Williams also explains how he likes to involve himself with the group: “ we only tend to meet at campaign events, we prefer to directly tackle the lib-dem Tory based coalition right here in Warrington and in government nationally as posed to talking about how we are going to do that. Furthermore Mr Williams also reveals why people like him joined the Labour party: “ I joined the Labour Party three years ago because e of the belief that in big business alone wasn’t enough to make lives better in Warrington and Merseyside, where my parents grew up. I think the Labour Party is the most effective viechle for change. Mr Williams furthermore explains his love for Labour and why he loves campaigning for the labour party: “ I started campaigning in 2009 in the European elections at the height of the fallout from the expenses scandal. I also helped out a lot on the general election campaign to stop Warrington being left
with a Tory mp; Mr Williams also explains the main reason why people join the Labour party, and what is the main incentive: “ We are the only youth political organization in Warrington opposed to the perverse cuts the Tory-led government is focusing on young people. If people want to join the fight against them, this is the only place to be. Mr Williams also claims that most join because of a strong belief in the party: “ Most people seem to join because of a strong belief in the aims of the Labour Party. Finally. Mr Williams says that he is confident that the party will gain more members before the next elections: “ We’ve been growing strongly since the election, and hope to continue that trend. The local elections take, place today Thursday May 5th. The Av refrendum being held on teh same day. Poliing opens at 7am and closes at 10pm.
talks about how the march is not just about one particulart issue, it is about the cuts across the board.: May“we are matching as part of the day March brings controversy mayday celebrations, but we are al also marching against continual government cuts. This is one of a number of rises and marches which By Mike Green we will sue to resist the cuts. WE A mayday-march has took place in didin’t elect a socialist leader to Liverpool, with several organstacontow to the tories. There is a tions under the banner of the tuc whole, range of people, ranging attending. form mothers fighthing against The may-day march is an annual the cuts, there is lots of people event, but this year, several people broad spectrum of people , labour marched on Liverpool in order to supporters and Liberals who do protest against the cuts. not agree One of the speakers Gary Miller, with the cuts. member of the socialist resistance, Furthermore, Rivelino Foley, ther- part of the Socialist Movement more, these concerns were added to by john lynch member of Wirral Trades Council says that he believs in the socialist who says that the aim of the march is again to Celbrate Myaday and perevent movement overthrowing the govfurther cuts: “I am further againist the cuts and what I worry baou is there taking ernment: “ the cuts are all horreneverything away from us, including bank holidays dous, old people taking the money A further March will take place on 4th June. from the banks pay for the cuts, Furthermore, Gareth Davies, of Solidarity Intrenational refers directly to the working class Worki ng Service, under threat by a FurThe march walks St George Hall in Liverpool en route to The Queen Elizabeth Bulidings
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Av : pros and cons
The yes campaign display their material
By Michael Green
most people to be unpopular an this can The Av Vote takes place on the be avoided with av. If you don’t want on same day as the Local Elections May 5th. In order to obtain information for person you can put them as no tow. the forthcoming election, it is imFurthermore Mr Hunt also tells informs Factfile for Av portant to know what is being voted us that he the battle on the 5Th May will be a close for. Here at l Politics Now, we spoke race: “ we haven’t done any data on how may people are inclined to . Av is the current votiing sytem in four vote yes or no, but I believe it will be a close race and hopefully people countries, Australia, Fuji, and new to a member Of a Paul Hunt, The will see exactly why one side is better then the other. I believe the Zealand. Phone Bank Manager for the yes to inclination of a lot of undecided people is to vote yes.” Australia wnats to get rid of it. Alternative Vote Campaign, tells us about Av and how beneficial it is to Mr hunt also reveals the type of attics he uses and what sort of meth- Av is often critcisde by the “no “ the political system. : “ Av is a simple ods he uses in order to engage the voters: “ mainly, the methods that campagin for being a waste of moeny has been used in this campaign is generally the usual electioneering and being expensive, with anti va camseem put a number to the prefermethods such as billboards, myths and scare attics.” paginres claiming the system will cost ence which is best, with your best Mr Hunt also refers to possible scenarios and in which the system of up to 300 millon to implement candidate marked first, and then following that, they need to secure a would triumph: “ The set itself gives people more of a choice. If for enough votes to get 50 % politicians example I supported Labour and wanted to keep the BNP out you would Av is often considrde the most perferial voting sytem in compoarsion to most often tend to worry however, where vote put the Conserveratatives first and liberal democrats second? In terms of the No Campaign Darren Rutland, who is a member of other systems. they are going to their 50%. the No Camp again, tells us what the NO campaign is attempting to . The Av System will include sevPaul then explains some of the achieve from their stance against AV: “ The purpose of no to AV is to eral risks for polticians. including Nick myths that circulates about a successfully against the AV referendum on May 5th. “ Cleegs party which may question the Mr Hunt also speaks about how Mr Rutland also says he cannot put or place an estimate on how use of his partnership with Cameron. he managed to secure the Liberal many people support the no campaign: “ I can’t give any precise Cameron aos has more to lose, and Democrats Office in Warrington figures at the moment, but I know that there is a fair number of therefore, if he lsoes it may be a Town Centre: “ The strength, or people supporting Av.” Furthermore, Mr further risk, as less then a year after one of the flip sides of AV is that Furthermore, Mr Rutland also says liberal democrats will be supportthe General Election 2010, in which you can remove wasted votes- I ing AV too show their support to the proportional system form of Cameron lost whta was seen as an for example votes or ballot papers voting:” Most liberal democrats have switched their support to av in unloseable election. where people vote for people who the last year, But some Liberal Democrats are still keen to approve It apperas then that teh stakes are high they don’t really want in they vote for most politicians. tactically. The criticism of this often to get to Proportional Representation via the use of STV (Single transferable vote.) is it lets people in who appear to p.8