Why I support the principle of 'don't vote'

It's tacitly understood that we should hide any party-political bias we might have, while telling young people that a vote is a good thing and should never be wasted.

Where young people and elections are mentioned in the same sentence, the word "apathy" is bound to follow. The "democratic deficit" is lumped in with teen pregnancy, violent computer games and binge drinking as yet another problem with the youth of today.

But even though many young people don't vote, who says they're apathetic? And why are non-voters seen as more apathetic than the (usually older) party faithful who turn out to support whoever wears the right colour rosette? When I talk to young people who don't vote, they tend to have thoughtful explanations. Most feel that the main parties are similar versions of the same thing, and that they focus too much on presentation or spin. Young people don't feel valued or listened to, and many mistrust politicians almost on principle. They feel politicians tend to abuse power for personal gain.