This week's Youth View columnist, Laura Harman from Northchapel, is a former pupil of The Weald School at Billingshurst. Currently on a gap year, Laura will be studying English Literature at Cardiff.
BELARUS held its first presidential election in 1994, which had a turnout of 69.9 per cent. Whilst not the largest percentage attendance for their inaugural election, this figure has risen significantly since.
In 2001, 83 per cent of the popula
tion cast their vote, compared to a relatively pitiful 59.4 per cent in the UK that same year. This statistic is so spectacularly disappointing because it is the lowest figure since 1945.
Laura Harman
Voting apathy is a well-documented problem. However, if for all the time politicians spend discussing it, it's still an issue, surely it needs to be studied more closely.
It is suggested that youths don't know who to vote for, that we take democracy for granted and that we believe politics doesn't affect us. I feel that all of these issues can be combated.
Firstly comes the issue of who to vote for. Both Labour and Conservative parties have moved their policies to middle ground to appease more of the population.
However, with the bare minimum of research it is clear where these differences lie. Also, of course, there are far more parties than this.
If you're concerned with environmental issues maybe the Green Party is for you. Or if you're more focused on our position in Europe then research UKIP. Whatever your beliefs, there's sure to be a party to represent you.
Then comes the issue of taking democracy for granted.
This is perhaps the most shocking of issues, considering the state of some countries today.
At a recent election in Zimbabwe, Africa, people were beaten beforehand and intimidated in ballot queues.
Yet still the turnout was high, proving the importance of democracy to these people.
The final main issue, that politics don't affect us, is little more than ridiculous. Nearly every issue which concerns us is linked to political debate.
The closing of hospitals, the rise in knife crime or the decision to go to war provoke strong arguments – and are all linked to governmental decisions. The same can be said of abortion, environmental issues or homelessness.
None of these interest you? How about the suggestion that the legal drinking age be raised to 21?
Politics affects us all, and our choice can make a difference. So don't forget to be at that polling station at the next election.
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