Policy into practice Ethnic minority voting
Anne Longfield
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
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.
Since the scheme was established in 1999, it has had more than 500 participants. Its Understanding Power Citizenship Project has also rolled out in schools and colleges. The project enables 11- to 16-year-olds to explore the dynamics of power that affect their day-to-day lives through themes such as music, fashion, sport, identity and film.
CASE STUDY 2
The British Chinese Project is the first organisation to promote Chinese integration into UK politics. With no Chinese MPs and around 30 per cent of the Chinese population not registered to vote, it seeks to elevate the Chinese voice into the political arena through educating and encouraging participation.
In London, the project's Get Active, Get Voting campaign is putting local MPs and politicians in touch with the Chinese community and schooling them on political issues, such as how to get registered and breaking language and cultural barriers. The project supports young people and adults who are unsure of their rights and the political system. In some cases it supports people all the way through to becoming prospective MPs - such as 19-year-old Steven Cheung, who will be running in the European elections next month.
- Anne Longfield is chief executive of 4Children.