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

[BigSandyBalls2015]

That is all!
Opinions please.

I would wonder wtf I had done so wrong to bring up a DC who identifies with cold hearted self serving fuckwits

Very late to this thread but I would think both of my DC (16/18) would vote Conservative. I think this would be based on a good understanding of how the student loan issue works and that they are sceptical of all the promises that have been made.

In addition, DH has built a successful business having come from an family with a mining background (so low income). We are financially secure with no state support but 70 hours weeks for 15/20 years and this will continue.

I'm not stating my own political views as they seem to be so bloody fluid at present and I couldn't honestly say (!), they may not necessarily agree with what my DC think but yeah, they would identify with what you might call right wing policies, more so than left leaning.

If that's their view, and they can back their opinions with solid argument when challenged then that's okay by me.

Grounds for adoption, for starters.

Urgh.

I’d wonder we he can’t do drugs like normal teenagers to rebel and where I’d messed up so badly as to raise a child with no empathy.

Andrewofgg "I would have been pleased if my DS as a teenager had got involved with any democratic political party, regardless of my own politics."

It really does beat political disengagement and lazy cynicism hands down, doesn't it?

(PS - You've [subtly] namechanged ...)

I’d wonder we he can’t do drugs like normal teenagers to rebel and where I’d messed up so badly as to raise a child with no empathy.

Really? I find that quite offensive actually having a brother who struggled with drugs. I think my parents would have thanked their lucky stars if he'd dropped the heroin and voted Tory.

What a pathetic thing to say.

As we live in a tory stronghold, I wouldn't be surprised. But I would be disappointed if they were only doing it to grow inequality and cut vital services to benefit private companies. If they were more moderate, I don't think I would really even care much about which party they belong to.

I'd be really concerned. It's unusual for young people to have such right wing views since conservatism tends to increase with age and, given they'd have grown up seeing me struggle with disability and a fucked up NHS and disability benefits system, I'd be pretty upset.

*thecatfromjapan" I have not namechanged subtly or otherwise!

People sometimes misread my username as AndrewFogg but it isn't.

What did the last Labour govt do to help thr poor?

Did they build lots of affordable housing? Nope.

Instead House prices rocketed, buy to let boomed, the benefits bill went crazy and housing benefit lined the pockets of private landlords and tony socialist blair is a multi millionaire and mulitple home owner.

And yet those who vote tory have no empathy and dont care about the poor?

Ooh! I've been misreading it for ages. Which is odd, because I'm a trained typesetter - City and Guilds! - and usually pretty good at proofing.

Grounds for adoption, for starters.

Your kids will choose your nursing home. Sleep tight

Yeah the last Labour govt did nothing for housing.

Although the current Labour party just rubbish everything as Tony Blair's fault.

I would wonder If that's where the pretty girls are hanging out now?
Honestly he can do what he likes I would rather that than him playing computer games constantly.
Being interested in politics is a good thing!
My parents met at young conservatives my mum only went for the social life and dances! Honestly it's fine a bit of political debate never hurt anyone it's not a lifelong commitment or anything.

I would be glad he was interested in politics although I'd be disappointed in his choice of party to support

If he did it because he read the daily mail and thought Jeremy Corbyn was evil I'd want to educate him. If he had weighed up the policies of the main parties and made an informed choice I wouldn't try to change his mind

NikiBabe relatively objective report on Labour's record

I'd advise you to be less homogenised in your thinking with regard to political parties. The Conservatives are, as previous posters have pointed out, a broad church.

There is a massive difference between the Party of Cameron/Osborne and the current administration. The objectives are massively different. I really don't think you an simply think in terms of a Lab/Con binary.

There is a rumour that either Cameron or Osborne is no longer voting Conservative.

It really is worth thinking hard about what your favoured party represents at this moment . As I'm sure you are aware, both the TUC and the CBI are highly critical of the current administration.

Are you involved in your local group? It really is worth thinking about what your political objectives are and joining your local group, and ensuring that your principle goals tally with the actual Party programme.

I don't have one. If I did, I'd be surprised as, in my experience, it is unusual for someone of that age to be politically motivated in that way.

As I'm not racist and I am compassionate towards disadvantaged groups, yet conservative, I'd be pleased that young centre right people were joining the party (I'm assuming I wouldn't have a racist child with no compassion for others).

OP your son is entitled to his opinion. I think it’s good he’s interested in politics. His views are probably still forming at this time. So many sweeping generalisations in the responses above which I find disappointing.

I'd be preparing myself for some good debates, and encouraging him to do the same. od be pleased that h was politically engaged, but a bit taken aback at the direction of engagement, I must say! But to be honest I'd secretly expect him to grow out of it. I went through a bit of a Tory phase as did many people I know, but we've generally all migrated left now, with the benefit of a bit of life experience.

I would feel uhm ...ok
I'd worry about potential indoctrination (any party) and warn him he'd get pestered for donations and giving time during election campaigns.
On the bright side, joining a political party would improve his debating skills and enlarge his circle of friends.
Providing the chosen party does not hold extreme views and doesn't become an obsession, I'd be ok with it.

RandomlyGenerated
^So you feel that critical thinking is “bigoted wank”?

Do you not think that the ability to objectively analyse and evaluate issues in order to form a judgement is good thing?^

No. Assuming that because someone is a conservative they are incapable of critical thinking is bigoted wank.

I would feel profoundly disconcerted.

It is entirely possible I would also sing the Red Flag loudly in the shower, but then I do that anyway.

I’m amazed that so many posters expect their children to have political views to match their own. What happened to trying to create individuals?

Proud that he cares about politics. Getting young people to vote is fab.
DH and I both vote Tory, although I might go Lib Dem if they actually existed in our constituency.
I wouldn't mind which way DS voted though, as long as he had good reasons. He could vote Labour if he wanted and I would support him, and would expect the same courtesy.
My parents both voted out and although I was in favour of remain, and disagree with them, I haven't fallen out with them over it.
I don't judge people by the way they vote

I would very reluctantly accept but hope they gain more empathy as they mature. Luckily mine are much more liberal and compassionate.