Introduction
Someone must make choices and decisions to lead and manage our country. It is very important that citizens know how they can influence these choices and decisions.
PRESENTER 1: Being a young person in Wales sometimes it feels like politics is this strange thing that happens over there behind closed doors and it doesn't really include you. So why should you even care?
You only have to look around and you see politics is part of everything. Our education, our healthcare, our media, our streets our parks, sport, leisure, theatres, museums, libraries.
Politics and democracy affect everything in your life in your local area, in Wales, in the world.
PRESENTER 2: Wales and the world?
PRESENTER 1: Yes. Climate change is an example of that. It means the whole world is being affected by our actions.
Climate change is leading to crops failing and food shortages, severe flooding and people losing their homes and being forced to migrate and animals becoming extinct.
PRESENTER 2: So that's why people and children have been campaigning world over putting pressure on those in power to help tackle this problem.
PRESENTER 1: And racism is another one, sadly. Racism still exists and affects people all over. You only have to read certain comments online or watch the news. Maybe it affects you or someone you know.
PRESENTER 2: For example, here in Wales a young Betty Campbell was told that a working-class black girl could never succeed but she proved those people wrong in the most inspirational way.
She became Wales' first black head teacher and celebrated our mixed heritage.
No wonder South Africa's famous leader, Nelson Mandela was so keen to meet her on his only visit to Wales.
PRESENTER 1: It's campaigning from people like Betty that's led to anti-discrimination laws. These laws have made a big difference in the UK and in some places in the world have saved lives.
PRESENTER 2: Democracy is about everyone being heard and making the society we want.
And everyone has the power to campaign and make their voices heard and make change.
PRESENTER 1: In 2014, the UK made it legal for same sex partners to marry.
Whoa! That took years!
PRESENTER 2: Yes, campaigns and putting pressure on parliament made it happen.
That's democracy.
For democracy to work, everyone has to get involved and have a voice.
What if you're not old enough to vote?
How can you make people listen to you then?
PRESENTER 1: You could join a campaign or a protest if there's anything you feel really strongly about.
PRESENTER 2: It could be about the state of your local park.
PRESENTER 1: You could join others and organise. Start to make the change you want to see.
PRESENTER 2: But there's one thing that does worry me.
PRESENTER 1: What’s that?
PRESENTER 2: Would anybody listen to young people?
PRESENTER 1: You obviously haven't heard about the Well-Being of Future Generations Act.
Anyone in charge has to think about young people and those not even born yet when making decisions. Remind people of that when you're getting in touch and want to get your voice heard.
PRESENTER 2: And in Wales, when you're 16, you can decide who your Members of the Senedd and councillors should be and vote for who you want to represent you.
PRESENTER 1: When you're 18, you can vote for your MP.
PRESENTER 2: If they're still not listening you can start or sign a petition to either the Welsh Government or the UK Government.
If you get enough signatures, they have to debate it in Parliament!
PRESENTER 1: Get in touch with your local Councillor about things local to you; your Member of Senedd about things happening in Wales; and your MP about UK-wide stuff or things happening in other countries.
Remember they work for us and it is their job to listen.
National politics
It’s important to vote and participate in politics because your representatives are making choices and decisions on your behalf.
Members of Parliament in Westminster, Members of the Senedd in Cardiff Bay and councillors in local government are responsible for making decisions in terms of distributing resources and funds.
By voting and participating, citizens are able to express their views to the decision makers about issues such as:
- when litter is collected
- how electricity is generated
- what should be learned in schools
International politics
By voting in the Wales and UK elections, the electorate influences global issues, as there are no limits to our world's most contentious issues, eg climate change, economic development and racism. These are not problems exclusive to Wales or the UK. MPs will be meeting politicians from other countries to discuss these issues.
Voting in elections
Everyone in Wales over 16 years of age, who has registered to vote, can cast a vote in Wales elections. Everyone in Wales over 16 years of age can also vote for their councillors.
Everyone over 18 years of age, who is on the electoral register can vote in general elections that elect Members of Parliament in Westminster.
Failure to vote is not against the law, but why is voting considered so important?
- Democracy
Voting is an important way to participate in politics. Elections ensure that democracy is being upheld, because the electorate decides who gains power. Constituents are able to vote to re-elect the same representative in the next election, or vote for another candidate if they’re not happy.
- Creating links between people and the government
We have a representative democracy in the UK, therefore it is politicians not citizens who discuss, debate and make decisions in Parliament. Voting is important then, to ensure that citizens are part of the process of deciding who will represent them.
- Selecting a government
When voting for a constituency representative, citizens contribute to the process of selecting a government, as it is the party with the majority of representatives that has the right to form a government.
Other ways of participating in politics
Before you're old enough to vote, you can participate in politics in many other ways.
Campaigning
Citizens can make sure their voices are heard by signing a petition calling for change. Young people who are 13 years of age or older can also make use of social media to follow groups that stand up for issues important to them.
Demonstrating
Citizens can carry out a demonstration in order to highlight causes that are important to them and also to encourage change. Often, citizens demonstrate by marching and displaying posters explaining their arguments.
Lobbying
There is no need to wait for an election in order to contact a representative. Citizens can send an e-mail directly to their Member of Parliament or Member of the Senedd at any time. Also, MPs and Members of the Senedd regularly hold sessions where citizens can meet them to discuss matters.
Join a pressure group
Citizens can join a pressure group, which means a group of people who want to influence government policies on specific matters. A substantial number of pressure groups have more members than political parties.
Joining a political party
A citizen can join a political party. This will give them an opportunity to help shape the party's policies, select candidates for elections and select a leader.
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