As young people, it’s easy for us to feel as though our voices aren’t being heard and as though our opinion doesn’t matter when it comes to politics. It rarely seems as though politicians care about what the younger generation thinks and it’s no surprise that fewer and fewer under 25s are losing faith in the political system and choosing not to vote.
But now a new initiative is aiming to change all of that.
UK based organisation Bite The Ballot has found a way to change how young people engage with UK politics – by bringing the political decision-makers directly to us. Project #LeadersLive will give the youth of this country the chance to have direct access to the five main party leaders and give us the chance to question, challenge, hold them to account. Through a live-stream in partnership with BITE News, ITV, and Twitter, Bite The Ballot promises young people of the UK the first ever opportunity to really engage effectively and meaningfully with politics.
“We’re calling for young people to do what no other generation’s done before and play an active role, early. This is our chance to change the channels of communication, but we need young people to spark that debate.” – Michael Sani, Managing Director of Bite The Ballot
The series kicks off with Green Party’s Natalie Bennett, followed by UKIP’s Nigel Farage, Lib Dems’ Nick Clegg, Labour’s Ed Miliband, and finally, the Conservatives’ David Cameron. Each party leader will be quizzed on three key issues from the following:
- Jobs
- Education
- Immigration
- Crime
- Environment
- Foreign Policy
- Health
- Transport
And as BONUS – for each leader, YOU get to pick the fourth question! (VOTE HERE)
#LeadersLive promises to educate young people about each main party leader and help us decide whether any of them really do deserve our vote.
“I’m excited to be bringing this UK-first and evolving our democracy using social media. We don’t need a revolution, we need participation. We need to engage and empower young people in the decisions that affect them – this will then lead to greater involvement and benefit the whole country”. – Jamal Edwards, Digital entrepreneur and Bite The Ballot ambassador.
Timings
Date: Wednesday 26 November, 6-8pm
Leader: Natalie Bennett, Green Party
Topics: Education, Environment and Jobs
Date: Tuesday 2 December, 6-8pm
Leader: Nigel Farage MEP, UK Independence Party
Topics: The EU, Democracy and Immigration
Date: Monday 8 December, 5-7pm
Leader: Ed Miliband MP, Labour Party
Topics: Jobs, Health and Democracy
Date: Tuesday 16 December, 6.30-8.30pm
Leader: Nick Clegg MP, Liberal Democrat Party
Topics: Health, Education and Jobs
Date: TBC
Leader: David Cameron MP, Conservative Party
Topics: TBC
The #LeadersLive streams will be available online on YouTube.com/BITENews. Get involved with the conversation on Twitter using the hashtag #LeadersLive.
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