[Livia]

Originally Posted by Toy Soldier

Thats entirely the point though Luvia. Like I said, I personally do find politics interesting and am engaged with it, but it's pretty obvious that the nation's youth is not interested, and that is BECAUSE of how Westminster is generally perceived. The fact that peoples ideas are based on preconceptions - whether they are accurate or not - almost proves the point. Westminster politics is stuffy and insular and doesn't do enough to properly engage the general public. If they did, these preconceptions wouldn't be commonplace.

As you say - it's important to remember that these people are not our betters, they are public servants. But do you honestly believe that the upper tier politicians WANT us to remember that? I'm talking your Thatchers, Camerons, Blairs, Osbournes, and the majority of the "minister for..."s here, not your salt of the earth local MPs who to be fair are often excellent.

I mean really. Come on. If you and I were to stroll up to Dave and George - assuming we didnt get shot for trying - and inform them that they are just public servants and in no way our superiors, can you see them sincerely agreeing? I personally suspect they'd struggle not to snigger.

Actually, I have spoken to both Dave and George. I might have gone to Cambridge but I also went to an east London comprehensive and they are in no way superior to me, to you, to anyone. And yes, I can see them agreeing that they're public servants because that's what they are. If they are voted out of their seats in May, they're out of a job the pair of them. In my previous job I had to interact with MPs on all levels, and while they are a few blowhards, mentioning no names... the majority of them are quite approachable and always meeting up with constituents who are, in effect, their employers.

Parliament's been much the same for hundreds of years, with a few notable modernisations. It isn't perfect but it's the very best we've got, and it's a model for other parliaments across the world. I don't see any need to change it simply because a section of society finds it stuffy. Young people don't engage with politics, they also don't engage with insurance, with getting a plumber in, with income tax returns... a whole host of things they haven't had anything to do with yet and frankly I don't think we should sex up these things so that they are accessible. Politics likewise... however, it desperately needs to be on the curriculum - as you said.

[GypsyGoth]

Originally Posted by Livia

Parliament's been much the same for hundreds of years, with a few notable modernisations. It isn't perfect but it's the very best we've got, and it's a model for other parliaments across the world. I don't see any need to change it simply because a section of society finds it stuffy. Young people don't engage with politics, they also don't engage with insurance, with getting a plumber in, with income tax returns... a whole host of things they haven't had anything to do with yet and frankly I don't think we should sex up these things so that they are accessible. Politics likewise... however, it desperately needs to be on the curriculum - as you said.