Where Is My Public Servant ?

Friday 12 January 07

Ask a young person in Northern Ireland today to write to their local MP or MLA and what do you get? A long, formal letter full of long, professional sounding words.  Is that was the majority of young people today are like? No. Why do we think like this? What is it about politicians that make young people afraid to be themselves?

            Generally, young people see Politicians as being like the Untouchables.  People who are so high above ‘normal’ people that we feel we have to put ourselves out and meet their standards.  The fact is, politicians are, surprisingly, ‘normal’ people.  They have families, hobbies, hair, skin, eyes and ears… just like us.  So why should they be any different to write to?  Ok, so we can’t exactly send a letter full of our everyday slang words or write to them as a long lost pen pal, but we can approach them casually.  If anything, writing to them less formally would probably make their jobs easier if letters are straightforward, to the point and easy to read.

            Another problem facing young people today is that they may have ideas and views which they want to express but don’t know where to send these opinions to.  This is made even more difficult in Northern Ireland when the Stormont assembly is out.  Most likely, they are unaware of how to contact their local constituencies and so write to Westminster, which, lets face it, could take weeks before it is read, never mind replied to or even acknowledged.

            Young people should be encouraged to act on any ideas about improving their area or anything else they feel strongly about.  The stereotypical young person has a lazy, ‘I can’t be bothered’ attitude.  What politicians have to do is realise that this is only a stereotype and that most young people have ideas and opinions which are very valuable.  These opinions should be promoted.  Young people are the future, if we can’t break free of the mould and make a difference, we’re doomed to be controlled by society forever, and that would be pretty boring! In turn, politicians should be encouraged to read all letters sent to them by young people.

            Hopefully, through WIMPS, we can show politicians (and the rest of the adult world) that young people are alive, they do have brains and they are valuable members of society who care about the future.