Is a 20 year old appropriate as a Parliamentary candidate?

Kohoutek

Labour seem to think so in East Worthing and Shoreham by selecting Emily Benn, the granddaughter of Tony Benn. I'm not sure what experience or insight she would bring to Parliament apart form being related to Tony Benn:

I got into Labour Politics relatively early, first-off with my family from about the age of 2....then I got involved in my own way, forming my own ideas, and I got the chance, finally, to join the Labour Party on my 14th birthday. Since then I've tried to get involved in earnest in many different campaigns, both for and outside elections

I've heard of the phrase 'career politician', but getting involved at the age of two brings it to a whole new level! It's a shame she couldn't just enjoy being a toddler while it lasted!

People do ask why I'm getting involved so heavily so young. Well, there's an easy way of answering that. I don't want to sit around and accept things that I know can be better, so that when I'm 55 I've become older and bitter.

Isn't that a bit judgemental about 55 year olds!

I have much respect for people whose views differ from mine, and that's what's great about politics - my opinions are being constantly challenged and I do the same to others. I don't hate the 'other sides', just try to get our views across.

I don't think you'll find many people that disagree with that....

My ultimate dream is to become an Olympic athlete, but I fear I've left it too late for that. Maybe I'll wake up and suddenly be an amazing hurdler, but somehow I doubt it.

Why are you standing for Parliament then? I'm confused.

http://www.ewaslabour.org.uk/index.php/ppc/

tomterm8

Um... if she is old enough to die for the country, pay tax, and vote... then YES.

barrymoney

fine I think - parliament needs to represent everyone. democracy etc...

wymondham

I disagree. The job involves a wide understanding of life and requires a maturity and life experiences that only age can bring. Im a full believer that people should only come into politics after first being in the real world. Career politicians don't bring much to the table......

Kohoutek

tomterm8 wrote: »

Um... if she is old enough to die for the country, pay tax, and vote... then YES.

But don't you think being an MP is an important job with a lot of responsibility? People tend to make better decisions with experience, and Emily Benn is still at university.

Most 20 year olds aren't really appropriate for jobs that would pay equivalent to an MP's salary. I don't think someone still at university would make a good headteacher, for example.

Exocet

I think the 'problem' is not age as such. It is that she is a member of a Labour dynasty. Therefore she has almost certainly been given the opportunity as a result of nepotism. Coming from a once respected member of Parliament (Mr.Benn), who will have spent many years trying to undo the nepotism of the aristocracy / landed gentry / monarchy / etc. this is a bit rich.

Unfortunately, given what we know now about Parliament, illegal wars, sofa government, expenses, cash for questions, peerages for cash - this comes as no real surprise. I think I will have to spoil my ballot paper this time around.

Cleaver

I guess the answer to this, in a democracy, is to vote 'yes' if you think you want an MP who is 20 and you like her policies, or 'no' if you think she's too young and / or you don't agree with her policies.

I'm happy for anyone over voting age to stand for parliament, but I personally wouldn't vote for a 20 year old as my MP.

lostinrates

She has a right to stand.

Over easter I spent a lot of time debating with an 18 year old who feels so disengaged she is not going to vote: she tells me she is representative of her friends: middle class, middle income young people who have had quite comfortable upbringings and don't seem to see where politics plays in their life. She told me she didn't vote for any of the tv vote shows either, so that is some relief. She did download Rage against the machine.

Perhaps younger interest is what they need.

She seems sort of clued up about politics, but just totally disengaged. I don't think my ranting for 45 minutes convinced her, and her parents have been ''discussing'' it too.

what I find most interesting is that I was around her age in the change from conservative to Labour government. i think the impending feeling of possibilty of change seems to me similar now as it did then: the disillusionment, etc....and while I know many peers couldn't give a damn, I think their was more interest, more engagement from a similar group of people than this young woman pronounced her self representative....she actually goes to the school I went to until 16.


what I'm really trying to say is, perhaps its good she's standing, in a role of inspiring young people. I would not, myself, vote for even the brightest 20 year old.
edit: didn't see the two above posts while I was typing this. I agree with both of them, and had I read them might have impacted on my post.

tomterm8

Kohoutek wrote: »

But don't you think being an MP is an important job with a lot of responsibility? .

I think that whether you elect people should depend on their capabilities. People should have the right to stand; the electorate should decide from those who stand, and chose the best candidate.

wymondham

... interesting several have said why not, and then gone on to say they would however not vote for them purely on their age ..........

lostinrates

wymondham wrote: »

... interesting several have said why not, and then gone on to say they would however not vote for them purely on their age ..........

I'm sort of one of those. Its not purely on age but the age defines that, its partly on experience.


There was I suppose, Pitt the Younger...