Young people must have voice when votes cast

Passionate about the issues that matter to you? Talking Point columnist Councillor Beverley Momenabadi says youth is no barrier to making a difference

I was pleased to win in the local election for Ettingshall Ward this year which, at 26 years old, makes me the youngest councillor in Wolverhampton.

Age never struck me as being a factor, until I saw the surprised look on my constituents’ faces when they learned that I work in politics. This is something I now find somewhat amusing.

What may surprise them even more is this isn’t my first job in politics. I started working for a Labour MP when I was just 25. Perhaps what surprises them most is to see someone under the age of 60 engaging actively in politics.

Is it because they think that I should be interested in something else at my age? Sometimes people say to me, ‘you don’t look like someone who would work in politics’ and I often ask ‘well, what does someone who looks like they work in politics look like?’

I have never heard an answer . . . yet.

During my election campaign, I was often met by the same surprised look by some residents who said, ‘you look young’ and once the shock wore off the feedback was really positive. Most of them said how good it was to see a young face with energy and fresh ideas wanting to represent them and bring a vibrant energy back into politics.

Since I was 21, I have run projects in the Midlands engaging young people in politics. Why? Because it affects us all.

The decisions that are made now, whether it is to do with Brexit or the shortage in the number of houses being built, will affect teenagers 10 years from now, so I’ve always felt it important they understand, have a choice, have a voice, and have representation in the decisions being made about their lives.

I hear some people ask ‘but how many young people in Wolverhampton actually care about Brexit?’ – the answer is lots.

I hosted an event in March which saw more than 50 youngsters from Wolverhampton give up their Friday night to talk to politicians about how they feel about Brexit.

Now, I am sure there were many other places they’d have liked to be but they chose to discuss the biggest thing that is happening to our country, and to their lives.

So few politicians have reached out to young people, who have to live with the consequences of the 2016 referendum, many of whom had no vote.

If you are young and reading this and take an interest in politics, or want to make a difference in your community or even the world then I’d encourage you to do a few things: Sign up to a political party (I’d obviously suggest the Labour Party, for reasons longer than this column allows). Reach out to me and I will tell you why.

Get some experience on campaigning about issues that are really important to you.

Whether it is homelessness, poverty or international crises, there are charities and activist groups all over the country campaigning on these issues and you will get to know like-minded people.

I think politics will only continue to evolve with more young people standing in elections.

So, if you are really feeling brave, look to becoming a local councillor like I did. More information can be found at beacouncillor.co.uk/wolverhampton

• Beverley Momenabadi represents the Ettingshall ward on Wolverhampton Council. Find her on Twitter @beverley_momen