How would you feel if your 16 year old DS wanted to become a 'young conservative'

[BigSandyBalls2015]

That is all!
Opinions please.

[ChoudeBruxelles]

Disappointed and confused

[EmilyReallyKnowsHerStuff]

Meh. Up to him isn't it.

Can't dictate someone else's political views.

[Seeline]

I'd be pleased that a young person was showing an interest in the country and their future. Political views can easily change once people start taking an interest.

[thecatfromjapan]

I'd be amazed. Isn't the average age of Conservative Party members 71, or something?

And I'd sit him down and explain that if he, or his friends, are tempted to start making Nazi jokes on Whatsapp, to resist. It never ends well.

[Tamatoa]

Proud.

[BertrandRussell]

I would be really upset - and suspect he had been abducted by aliens. And it would cause even more political debate than we have in this family already!

[ShatnersWig]

Wonder where I'd gone wrong?

But after that, probably pleased they were interested enough in politics to get involved in some way.

[Andro]

Pleased he was taking an interest in politics.

[Wavingkitten]

as we talk openly about politics and current affairs and are left wing I would wonder where I'd gone wrong tbh. I would be extremely upset.

[Floisme]

I would still love her.

[sharklovers]

Very proud indeed.

[5rivers7hills]

IF he is a good kind and compassionate person I might think it could be a good thing and he might rise through the political ranks being a moderating voice in the conservatives.

[EmilyReallyKnowsHerStuff]

...because he has different views? Really?

[Fannylodger]

Extremely upset that someone doesn't have the same political views, really?
I'm as left as they'd come and I'd be looking forward to interesting thought provoking debate

[woundedbutwalking]

Like I hadn't really brought them up to be a caring & empathetic child. But then at that age kids believe they can conquer the world and everything in life is easy. Hopefully they'll grow out of it...

[RandomlyGenerated]

I’d feel the need to enrol him in a critical thinking course.

[M4Dad]

I'm just amazed that he's gotten through the system without being brainwashed into an uber lefty.

Fair play to him and I wish him luck

[PebblesFlintstone]

Privately horrified but I would encourage their interest (and have some discussions about what it is about Conservative policy they admire).

[sinceyouask]

Unhappy.
Confused.
Also somewhat intrigued. It would make dinnertime interesting.

[opheliacat]

I'd be absolutely fine with it, but then it is only the liberal left who hate everyone who isn't like them.

[Peanutbuttercheese]

Glad they were interested in politics.

I find the whole my family and everyone are staunch whatever political party slightly odd. My family vote across the entire political spectrum pretty much.

[thecatfromjapan]

To add to my comments earlier ...

I would be pleased that my child was taking a serious interest in politics.

However, I think there are issues with the Young Conservatives. There have been horrible instances of bullying - very, very serious - and I would honestly talk about that. They weren't dealt with by the Party, so I would consider it down to me to talk about it.

Likewise, the Nazi thing, which I think is linked to the above.

I wonder if the Whatsapp debacle is linked to the desperation the CP currently have about attracting young people.

[SloeSloeQuickQuickGin]

Rather better than being a fully paid up member of Momentum I'd have thought.

[Pansiesandredrosesandmarigolds]

The only one I've known well was a kind, clever and well meaning young man. I disagreed with him on almost everything.

[AccrualIntentions]

Supportive. Pleased they were taking an interest in politics. Pleased that they weren't afraid to think for themselves and not follow the herd. Looking forward to (hopefully) some interesting political debate since my views aren't the same as theirs.

But I'm not scared of political differences, DH and I have different views from each other, many of my friends disagree, family definitely don't all vote the same way. Healthier than existing in an echo chamber.