REAL LIVES Young people


DISILLUSIO AND DEMO


There has never been a more crucial time for young people to be concerned about politics. And ‘concerned’ would be an understatement. The ConDem government has seen young people cast out of and failed by politics in an unparalleled way.


But instead of resigning to apathy and powerlessness, the young should be furious and active in their own political retaliation.


In the 2010 general election only 33 per cent of 18-34 year olds voted. This means there are over four million ‘missing votes’ from a generation of now invisible citizens. That election gave us the coalition that we toil under today; the young left disillusioned and demoralised.


“Economically we have a very depressing job market,” said Anthony Curley, Unite national youth co-ordinator.


“Young people face insecure jobs, zero hour contacts, low pay, pay discrimination. These conditions leave them wondering, ‘How will I afford my own home? Will I ever have enough money to sustain a family?’


“This government has made ideological attacks on working class people in rolling back the state in the interest of privatisation and big business. Unfortunately young people have been at the forefront and as a consequence have become completely disenfranchised.”


The first kick in the teeth was Nick Clegg’s abhorrent betrayal of his promise to absolve young voters from university fees – confining the education of all to just those who can afford it.


Tuition fees trebled to £9,000 a year, burdening the young working class with enormous debt as they fly the nest into the big, bad Tory world.


To rub salt in the wound, it might not even be worth it, as Bryan Simpson, 26, knows only too well.


Debt “There’s nothing really out there for me, despite having a law degree and six years’ experience,” he said. “I’ve got about £27,000 worth of debt, a student loan, I owe huge amounts on my overdraft and I’ve had to take loans from Wonga and other payday lenders.


“I’m now facing debt twice my salary. How am I ever going to get out of that?”


Sadly tuition fees were just the start; since the ConDems took over wages have plummeted for the young and more than 100,000 work for less than the minimum wage. Increasingly the only work available for this generation is low-paying, insecure jobs, without union representation and a growing feeling that all hope is lost.


“It makes me feel depressed,” said part- time lifeguard Jonathan Breheney, 25.


“I can’t afford to move out on a part-time wage so I’m still living at home with my mother. Young people need full-time, permanent contracts to feel a sense of security so we can leave home and start living our lives, instead of relying on our parents,” he said.


Many found themselves unemployed in 22 uniteWORKS Spring 2015


this cruel climate, in need of support from the welfare system built for that very purpose. But in 2013 George Osborne withdrew Job Seekers Allowance from 18- 21 year olds if they couldn’t find a replacement job.


Meanwhile Osborne’s little brother Theo owns an exclusive luxury travel company for the super-rich, and has since co-founded tech-investment


company offering


generous tax breaks to high net worth investors. The inequality is obscene and those kicked to the curb should rightly demand it ends.


So it continued; the ConDems abolished the Education Maintenance Allowance that allowed young people from poorest backgrounds to further their education and prospects.


Exploitative unpaid internships and pittance-pay


apprenticeships are


encouraged, while youth services are axed and the young person’s place in society is further devalued.


“If we get another Tory-led government the NHS will be privatised, the welfare state will become non-existent, we’ll have a society with no security – these things will affect young people now for the rest of their lives,” warned Anthony.


With the ConDems level of disregard it is unsurprising that young people don’t participate in politics. But an apathetic attitude is counterproductive and only feeds the monster that oppresses them.


“I would like young people to look how


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