Some key questions
My research has indicated that youth workers and young people have a number of particular political concerns. Think about or discuss these questions with your young people:
Confidence in the current political system is low. Trust in politicians has fallen dramatically. Should an election be about policies or personalities? Principles or popularity?
There has been lots of debate about changing the voting age. It is currently 18, but most of the main parties say they will lower it to 16. What age should it be?
Services for young people have been cut as austerity measures have kicked in. What would you like to see happen in the future regarding youth services?
During this parliament, university tuition fees have risen steeply. At the same time, more young people have applied to go to university. Is it right to charge people to study?
The minimum wage is lower for employees younger than 21 than for older staff, should this remain the case?
Support for young people with mental health challenges is woefully inadequate. What policy or service change would best serve the young people you know regarding this issue?
Questions for deeper reflection
Long before politicians, Jesus had a political manifesto. Luke 4:18-19 says:
‘The Spirit of the Lord is on me, because he has anointed me to preach good news to the poor. He has sent me to proclaim freedom for the prisoners and recovery of sight for the blind, to release the oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favour.’
As a piece of politicking, it can’t be beaten. It places the marginalised, disadvantaged and powerless at the centre of God’s plan. Youth workers might consider how they can effectively adopt these manifesto principles in their work. When the election is over, I suspect interest will wane in whether people vote or not – at least until the next election. Christian youth workers need to keep questions on the agenda about how we make decisions in society. How should we model the decision-making processes that include, empower and represent, while balancing rights and responsibilities?
Politicians want votes. They often campaign by arguing that individuals will benefit by voting for them. The people of God need to think more broadly than this. We shouldn’t vote for that which benefits us individually, but for those policies that develop the common good. How can we invite young people to embody this ideal so we develop a less selfish and self-centred world?
Issues beyond the soundbites
Young people are disadvantaged: they can’t vote until they are 18. This means politicians don’t design policies appealing to them – there are no votes to be gained. I hope this changes and that the voting age will soon be lowered. In the meantime, perhaps youth workers need to use their vote to advocate on behalf of young people.
Some important issues are not discussed by politicians. They tend to talk about matters that they think will appeal to voters. Generally, they don’t refer to issues equating to biblical principles like compassion, forgiveness, healing for the nations, welfare for the vulnerable, welcome for the immigrant, gentleness, care for creation and giving children and young people a place of prominence. Some of their proposed policies might embrace some of these ideals, but youth workers should discuss these matters more with young people.
The ‘Show Up’ campaign provides lots of information about political matters (christiansinpolitics.org.uk/showup), the YMCA Manifesto 2015 highlights lots of issues relating to young people (ymca.org.uk/what-we-do/policy/manifesto), while Embracing the Passion: Christian youth work and politics book offers a host of insights and practical ideas ().
Engaging young people
Invite your young people to get into groups. Hand them a set of cards, each with a social or political issues written on. Add others, but include things like: poor aspirations, substance abuse, disability, poor mental health, family conflict, racial and hate crimes, youth unemployment. Debate together what the young people think about these issues. Ask them to prioritise which should get most government resources.
Organise a Question Time-type event at your church or youth group. Invite some election candidates to come to talk about their views and policies, but ensure young people do the inviting, hosting and asking the questions.
So who would Jesus vote for? I can guess, but, honestly I don’t really know. What I do believe is that he wouldn’t sit back and do nothing. He would be praying, perhaps fasting, on the lookout for what his father in heaven might be up to. He would side with the poor, do things counter-culturally, build shalom and everybody would end up talking about him as a consequence. My hope is that you do the same.
