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AIBU?

Share your dilemmas and get honest opinions from other Mumsnetters.

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Original poster

To think that election candidates should be at least my age, if not older?

48 replies

BertieBotts · 30/04/2015 20:39

Just received my postal voting slip. I had assumed that the Labour candidate for my area was the same as the previous chap, who would have got my vote immediately, but it's not, so I did a quick google of all the candidates instead.

Discovered that the Green Party candidate is 22, and has a totally unconvincing video where she talks about being so excited to be in politics, but she's never actually voted even though she could (could she? Was she even old enough at the last election?) and that her hobbies are "clubbing and................ um............ going to the gym? Sometimes!" I mean, her enthusiasm is great and all, and she comes across as a real person rather than a polished faker, but

Is it usual for candidates to be so young and inexperienced? The Lib Dem one is 21 as well. Luckily the Labour one looks good and she's done a lot locally so it's a half decent option, but I was really shocked. It just seems almost like they're not taking it seriously?

OP posts:

Original poster

BertieBotts · 30/04/2015 20:39

Oh and I'm 26, so I was talking my age now. I obviously don't expect them to constantly grow with me

OP posts:

scandichick · 30/04/2015 20:43

YABU. They should be at least my age (I'm 35).

I used to be all in favour of getting more young people in politics, but at some point just being young ceased to be a positive attribute in itself... clearly I'm an old fart now and part of the Establishment I used to be against.

HirplesWithHaggis · 30/04/2015 20:56

Mhairi Black is only 20, and is a fabulous candidate, I hope she does well. However there are a couple of young men standing in other constituencies who don't have a hope, but the experience they gain should stand them in good stead for the future, should they decide to stay in politics.

(I'm older than Nigel Farage, which is depressing.)

LoganMountstuart · 30/04/2015 20:59

Our Green candidate is 22 as well. It's good that young people are interested in politics but I'm not sure how they would cope with the masses of tedious admin, select committees, late night sittings, constituency surgeries etc.

PoshPenny · 30/04/2015 21:04

Everybody has to start somewhere? I guess they're young passionate and enthusiastic some of which might have worn off by the time they get elected anywhere....

Mumoftwoyoungkids · 30/04/2015 21:07

Young candidates are usually stuck in somewhere where they haven't got a hope to see how they do.

Catdogwormfrog · 30/04/2015 21:09

Got one through the door and it's a young lad. He needs to get his constituencies right as he's not representing mine! Or the one down the road....

ThatBloodyWoman · 30/04/2015 21:10

Yabu.
I was probably no less politically aware at 18 than I am now.

Original poster

BertieBotts · 30/04/2015 21:10

Ah right fair enough Mumoftwo, I hadn't thought of it like that.

OP posts:

Dawndonnaagain · 30/04/2015 21:59

I was, many years ago, one of the youngest local councillors in the country. I worked hard, I made decent decisions. Age does not necessarily bring wisdom.

AuntieStella · 30/04/2015 22:02

I like to see a candidate who has successfully done something not connected to politics before offering themselves as a candidate.

listsandbudgets · 30/04/2015 22:06

We have an 18 year old standing for council in our area. Wont be voting for him (as I don't agree with him) but can't knock him for trying.

Chippednailvarnish · 30/04/2015 22:10

If we want young people to take an interest in politics than we need to judge each person individually, after all age is just a number.

Pitt the younger was Prime Minister at 24.

ProvisionallyAnxious · 30/04/2015 22:22

I think, as PPs have said, that everyone has to start somewhere? I also think in terms of future politicians it is a very good thing for people to have experienced fighting for a seat and then failing to get it - I don't know, so they don't take it for granted when it does happen? (Sorry, incohernt due to !)

Stratter5 · 30/04/2015 23:09

Our Green Party candidate is 30, and looks about 18.

I'm 47. I'm struggling with the idea that I'm old enough to be her mother ffs. Still, at least she brushed her hair, which is more than I can say for the Lib Dem candidate, who looks like she lives in a hedge.

AtomicDog · 30/04/2015 23:24

Eh? How do you get a vote in UK elections Bertie... considering you don't live here? I thought one had to live in the constituency to get a vote?

Jackieharris · 30/04/2015 23:34

I've known candidates in their mid 30s being told they are too young!

Just because we are used to grey haired men doesn't mean that's how it should be.

Original poster

BertieBotts · 01/05/2015 10:12

British citizens who have lived abroad less than 25 years can register for a post or proxy vote in their last constituency, Atomic.

True Jackie about grey haired men!

OP posts:

AtomicDog · 01/05/2015 10:50

Do you get to vote where you have moved to, too?
(Not having a go, am interested)

LurkingHusband · 01/05/2015 10:53

Surely parliament should be a reflection of the entire population ?

Anyway, the old farts haven't exactly covered themselves with glory, so I'd be happy to have some new blood.

SDTGisAnEvilWolefGenius · 01/05/2015 11:27

I wouldn't say they should all be a particular age - but I do think they should have worked in a field outside of politics. I think a lot of politicians now start as political researchers etc, and work their way up to being candidates and then councillors/mps.

If this is true, then they will have zero experience of what life is like outside of the political bubble - and I don't see how someone like that can make decisions that affect people who do have to live and work outside the political bubble.

juneau · 01/05/2015 11:30

merrymouse · 01/05/2015 11:33

They are unlikely to get in unless they are really good. They have to start somewhere. Presumably if there were better choices who were older they wouldn't choose young candidates.

That is part of the problem with politics - who would want to be an MP? I don't think they have a massive pool to choose from.

squoosh · 01/05/2015 12:17

I prefer politicians to have a career before entering politics. I wouldn't vote for a 20 year old.

Jackieharris · 02/05/2015 09:53

Making such an age discriminatory statement like that is just as bad as saying "I wouldn't vote for a woman/black person/disabled person/gay person" in my book.

Disgusting.

Judge someone on their merit not the number of wrinkles.

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