Now is the time to reshape our political landscape, not with a trowel but with a bulldozer.
The recession and economic instability has made who we vote for and what they stand for more important than ever. But apathy and mistrust of the political system in Ireland has only increased in recent years, especially among young people. I am 24 and, even as a self-confessed political nerd, I struggle to relate to much of what goes on in the Dáil. At the root of that struggle is diversity.
Diversity of experience, background, age and gender make us who we are as a people. It is no less the case for politicians. Our representatives are supposed to be a microcosm of our society as a whole – the “best of the best” representing all backgrounds, genders and age groups. Yet it seems that diversity is a rare commodity in Leinster House. As a reflection of our society, you might be forgiven for thinking that Ireland is a country predominantly populated by white, middle- class, middle-aged men.
Indeed, you might say that if the Dáil fails to reflect the rich tapestry of Irish society, we as a diverse nation are living with the consequences of decisions made from a viewpoint we do not generally share.
This idea of our politicians being “relatable” is extremely important, at the very least for making those in power keep at least one foot firmly planted on the ground. I work with Future Voices Ireland, a charity that empowers disadvantaged and marginalised young people attending the lowest performing Deis (Delivering Equality of Opportunity in Schools) establishments in Dublin. These young people are the future voters – and leaders – of our great country. I see their strength, courage and determination daily, and it makes me wonder at what point in our lives do we stop wanting to lead?
Potential leaders
Are we to believe it is only people from certain areas who went to certain schools, who are of certain age and who have a certain accent who want to enter politics? We have a generation of young people growing up in Ireland from marginalised backgrounds, who don’t fulfil their dreams and their potential, and who have no hope for the future. We are letting a fresh generation of potential leaders slip through our fingers because they do not believe enough in themselves and are passively discouraged from entering the political sphere by a complete lack of peer representation. At 28, Simon Harris is the youngest TD in our Dáil. The average age for a deputy elected to the 31st Dáil in 2011 was 48. With so much to offer, young people are simply not in the running when it comes to national representation.
This has led Future Voices to ask what we could do to make our representatives, well, more representative. Youth:Elect is a new programme we are launching in March. Its aim is to empower marginalised young people to stand in the next national elections. We will work with candidate s who meet the criteria of coming from a marginalised group/background and are under 30. The main political parties have agreed to nominate candidates via this process and we are also seeking applications from Independent candidates, who we are inviting to apply directly to us. All of the participants must also have a proven commitment to social justice and have been involved with the communities they wish to represent at a grassroots level. Those selected will receive training in campaigning, confidence building, community organising and effective communication, all aimed at equipping them to be the best possible representatives for their constituents.
Political crossroads
Youth:Elect was inspired by the teenagers we work with in Future Voices Ireland. They tell us of the challenges they face and how disconnected and marginalised politics makes them feel. These young people are the representatives Ireland deserves right now. Youth:Elect is about cultivating more diverse, dynamic and enthusiastic young people to breathe fresh life into the Dáil and political system. We are at a crossroads for Irish politics, with a thirst for something different sweeping the country. Now is the time to act.
If we truly want to sort out the problems facing Irish society, we need individuals in our national parliament who understand from personal experience what life is like in this country when you are under 30, LGBT, from a very rural area or from an area hit by high unemployment or crime. A younger voice in the Dáil will bring a different approach to issues that affect everyone in Irish society, not just young people. Fresh ideas and talent in politics can only improve the lives of Irish people. Youth:Elect will prepare our candidates so that they can be confident of representing themselves and their communities to the best of their ability. It’s time to give the kids a chance.
Amy Smyth is the youth advocacy and communications manager with Future Voices Ireland. She is also a Vodafone World of Difference 2015 Winner. Applications to participate in Youth:Elect should reach Future Voices Ireland before February 20th. futurevoicesireland.org