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.

This will be the first opportunity to vote in a general election for many of those school pupils who took part in student demonstrations against the Iraq war in 2003. These politically engaged young people may legitimately ask, "What good is voting when the politicians don't listen?" Yes, people fought for the right to vote in this country, but while we should learn from and appreciate the struggles of the past, most would agree that we can improve on the "democracy" of the present.

It's important and interesting for youth workers to initiate discussions on the history of democracy and the differences between political parties.

But I'm planning to balance pro-voting opinions with alternative views, such as "Don't vote, it only encourages them", "If voting made a difference, it would be made illegal", and "No matter who you vote for, the government always gets in".

Youth work is about questioning assumptions and prejudices, and that includes our own. Let's ditch the apathy label and start really listening to what young people are telling us, because most of them have strong views on local and global issues.

Voting is not the only way to express an opinion, and there are situations where a refusal to participate can be a political act.

From the Frontline is written by a London-based detached youth worker.