CYP Now - Policy into practice Ethnic minority voting

The issue: The European elections are around the corner but how many of us are going to vote? European elections have traditionally had a low turnout, but this is particularly the case for ethnic minority young people, who may feel disengaged from the political process.

President Obama's success, however, has captured the political interest of ethnic minorities in the UK and many are now optimistic about the scope for change. Just days after Obama's win, a Hansard Society poll found that 42 per cent of black and ethnic minority respondents in Britain were interested in politics, compared with 27 per cent a year earlier. This is a strong indication that having black and ethnic minority representation matters. We need to build on this momentum and explore creative ways of engaging black and ethnic minority young people in politics.

CASE STUDY 1

Operation Black Vote seeks to inspire ethnic minority groups to get involved in the democratic political process. Through its shadowing schemes, young people from ethnic minority backgrounds are given the opportunity to observe decision-makers such as councillors, MPs, parole board officials and magistrates. With just 15 MPs coming from black or Asian backgrounds, political role models are few for ethnic minority young people. The scheme allows them to road-test different aspects of civic and political life while raising their aspirations.

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