Young People are trying to set a example...

Kaycee de Belen Young Mayor of Newham

VOTE, VOTE, VOTE……?

The Election fever swept though London Borough of Newham a few months ago as young people rushed to the polling station set up in their schools, eager to cast their votes for the new Young Mayor of Newham and become involved in the world of politics.

This is how the Newham council and the current Mayor of Newham hoped the youth in the borough would respond. The truth was a little different. Before voting day, teachers tried in lesson and in assemblies to get their students interested in voting. The reality was that most people didn’t care. Mostly of the people that voted were just those who had lessons like PE, PSHE or Drama on voting day; instead of a lesson they were taken to the polling station to cast a random vote, having received yet another lecture about how important their vote is.

The sad truth about the young mayor is that no one should really care. Whoever got voted in, in the same thing was going to happen. Every candidate would to the same: nothing. Now I’m not suggesting that any of the candidates were just looking for something impressive to put on their application forms. I’m sure many of them really do want to help the young people of Newham. But there are two things standing in their way.

The first problem is that none of them knows how. Their manifestos were filled with empty slogans like “vote for me for a better life” or “I’ll unite Newham”. Not only are these things unachievable for the young mayor, but they sow that these candidates had no idea of what to do once they become the Young Mayor. One candidate actually said “vote for me to be happy”, now how are they going to make everybody happy? Employ happy squads to make sure nobody’s sad? Or maybe send out travelling clowns, to cheer up all the unhappy people? One candidate said that she needed everyone’s ideas to help her to be the mayor. In other words… she hadn’t got a clue what to do.

The second thing that stops the Young Mayor of Newham helping people is the funds they have access to. The Young Mayor has a budget of £25,000 to spend on helping the youth of Newham. £25,000 is barely enough to pay for one full-timer for the year, so any activity that needs time is out of the question. That leaves very little for the young mayor to do.

now isn't this related to the public diplomacy, how cleverly the government of today are plotting there scheme amongst young people on influencing them to pretend to be a part of the government and act as superiors from others, the government is trying to make them diplomats by giving powers which is controlled by others acting such as puppets by the people with powers.

I’m afraid I don’t now who won yet. Congratulations, anyway. But please don’t be offended if I tell you I’m not holding my breath for anything new to happen in Newham now that you’ve been elected. for more details visit the Newham Young Mayor website; http://www.newham.gov.uk/youngmayor/

Sir Robin Wales Mayor of Newham