Catch21 Productions | Uni-Q & Youth Engagement

Uni-Q & Youth Engagement: An interview with Professor Alan Hamlin

In the run up to the first episode of Uni-Q, Catch21's flagship political programme for the UK's youth, we interviewed Professor Alan Hamlin, Head of Politics at the University of Manchester. We talked about about youth engagement in politics among students and young people at the University of Manchester and across the UK, what can be done to improve it and about Uni-Q itself.

Catch21: Are the students at Manchester University politically active?

Prof. Alan Hamlin: Certainly many are – particularly among those studying Politics and Social Sciences more generally – and those that are involved often take their politics very seriously. But there are also large numbers of students who are not politically active, or particularly interested in politics. There is a caricature of a politically active student body of the 1960s and 70’s giving way to the rather more career-minded and apolitical student of the 80’s and 90’s with perhaps the return to a rather different kind of political involvement in more recent years: involvement that is more community based, more associated with campaigning on single issues, and more associated with volunteering. Like all caricatures, there is some truth in this picture.

C21: Where do you think the state of youth engagement in politics in the UK is at?

AH:Broader youth engagement in politics is at a very low ebb, not only in the UK but in many countries. This is not just a matter of the numbers voting, or engaging in other clearly ‘political’ acts, but also a matter of the general level of understanding of political issues, or interest in political matters. This is not just a short-term disenchantment with professional politicians or the party system, but seems to reflect a deeper and longer term shift in attitudes.

C21: How can we improve this?

AH: Education must be at least a key part of the answer. But I don’t mean school lessons on the political process that preach that everyone has a duty to vote – that approach is very likely to be counterproductive. I mean the creative use of real world issues – whether large scale issues like climate change or more local issue like the closure of a local factory – to stimulate debate and generate an interest, but also to develop the general sense that politics operates in everday life and is important to individuals.

C21: Do you think politicians do enough to reach young people?

AH: No, but the sight of some politicians attempting to speak to young people is often enough to convince you that this is not the best way forward – although the impact of particular figures can also be very important. It is not just about individual politicians doing more, but about the way in which politics is portrayed in society as a whole and through the media. A culture has developed in which politics is seen as remote and mysterious.

C21: What do you think of video projects like Uni-Q where young people have the opportunity to directly put their questions to MPs and political figures?

AH: Anything that engages with young people, encourages discussion and builds a sense of participation is to be welcomed – particularly in it operates with a wide definition of ‘political figures’ rather than just spokespersons from the established political parties. The aim must be to open up the debate, not restrict it.