Why party politics (and your vote) matters

Politics is like Marmite – people either love it or hate it. But young people in particular are turning their backs on party politics in unprecedented numbers. Have young people lost hope in our political parties? Has the media made people too cynical about politicians? Why is party membership for all the major parties at an all-time low? Is there anything the political parties can do to turn this situation around?

These questions and others will be addressed at this event. Hosted by the Politics and Media degree ‘Why Politics Matters’ gives an opportunity for MPs and politicians across the political spectrum to make a case for party politics. The event features presentations, Q&A’s and discussion led by MPs from the Labour (Bob Ainsworth), Lib-Dem (Annette Brooke) and Conservative Parties (Conor Burns), the leader of the Green Party (Natalie Bennett) and a UKIP prospective MP (Robin Grey). Each will try to persuade an audience of young students why they should take politics seriously and join their party. There will also be a presentation on research into young people’s attitudes to politics with some surprising results. Local political parties will be at the event to recruit and we expect a lively debate on the state of politics today.

Event schedule

3.05 – 3.15 Coffee and welcome by Politics and Media team and Ian Jones (Head of Regional Community Partnerships for BU)

3.15 – 3.30 BA Graduate Felicity Pentland presents the results of her research into young voter apathy: ‘Apathetic or Uninformed’

3.30- 3.40: Natalie Bennett, Leader, Green Party

3.40- 3.50 Bob Ainsworth MP, Labour Party (former Secretary of State for Defence)

3.50-4.00 Conor Burns MP, Conservative Party

4.00-4.10 Annette Brooke MP, Liberal Democrat Party

4.10-4.20 Robin Grey, UKIP

4.20- 4.50 Q&A and debate with speakers’ panel

4.50-5.00 Local Party Recruitment stalls, the one question video booth

5.00-5.50 Light refreshments and networking

6.00 Close