My students voted overwhelmingly for Reform

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When we had the Brexit vote they also voted for Brexit- large academy 9-18- Southern England

If anything I would say the school promoted Labour

So that is our poll prediction, although certainly not what I hope for.

Nice try.

Young pp need hope. None of the parties are offering them that, I'm not surprised they're in favour of a party that seems to be promising them t that. They're also massive on TikTok. Not saying that Reform can actually enact any of their policies, but it's an indication of how hopeless and disillusioned so many pp feel with the current political system. And Labour doesn't seem that different from the Tories, especially as Keir is so wishy washy, no one knows what he stands for!

Oh come on! Do not draw wider conclusions from one poster talking about 1 school. These are children as young as 9. What do they understand about politics or even adult life?

@nomoretoriesforme why do you think it is not true? There was very credible research that Russia was involved in spreading dissent around Brexit on social media. And evidence they have tried to influence other elections around the world.

How fucking depressing. And labour are apparently going to give 16 year olds the vote (a number of parties have it in their manifesto). This demonstrates exactly why that's a terrible fucking idea. 16 year olds can be very opinionated but don't know their arse from their elbow (I know, I was one - and teens are much more childlike now than they were when I was 16)).

What is?

MN is a forum to discuss. Polls in the past have been widely inaccurate, there is nothing wrong with chatting about what has happened in 1 school.

Labour want 16 years old to vote- so this is of interest.

The scary thing is if Labour lowers the voting age to 16 my tween will be voting in the next general election. This is the child I've just struggled to get out of bed to leave the house on time. Unfortunately her school hasn't done anything about the election. If someone fancies starting the dinosaur party she'll happily vote for them 🦕 🦖

Yes I have tried to talk about politics with her, she came with me to vote last time, can't today unfortunately but the thought she could vote next time is slightly scary, can't see how she could possibly be aware enough.

Conversely my 16 year is very political and very aware and probably more informed to vote that most 40 year olds I know.

@AbraAbraCadabra

"How fucking depressing. And labour are apparently going to give 16 year olds the vote (a number of parties have it in their manifesto). This demonstrates exactly why that's a terrible fucking idea. 16 year olds can be very opinionated but don't know their arse from their elbow (I know, I was one - and teens are much more childlike now than they were when I was 16))."

Although 16 year olds are legally allowed to have sex, pay taxes, join the military, take exams etc, I think they should need parental approval on which party they vote for and only then if the party their parents approve of is on the left.

Generally as mainstream (media, politicians etc) politics moves from the centre to the left, then voters especially younger voters move from the centre to the right and vice versa.

It's always been the case that youth wish to rebel against the establishment and consensus.

@Trixiefirecracker hopefully by 16 mine will be more politically savvy. Its just the realisation that my year 7 12 year old could potentially vote in the next election.

I think that’s a good thing that young people are interested in politics, why not do a mock vote in schools.

If that’s the case, and I’m not saying I don’t believe you these are bleak times, you need to report your students to PREVENT and let them know about the extremism that they are likely to be involving themselves with.

Our schools are usually riddled with hard left stuff, so I find this unusual to say the least.

I came on to say this too - DS and friends thought it hilarious to “vote” Reform at school just to be daft / controversial / irritate the staff.

Please do NOT do this! It is not a case for prevent. Prevent is there for terrorism purposes not for political kicks.

The NHS definitely needs reform. The funding model doesn’t. It would be a good start if we funded it from taxation as well as France and Germany do their systems.

All Reform voters are reason enough to be referred to PREVENT. If they can be taken in by Russia’s lies and made to vote against the interests of democracy against all the overwhelming evidence then they can be convinced to do anything.

People need to take this seriously instead of hiding behind “democracy” and people having the right to “think for themselves”. This will get so much worse.

They really don't pay that much more. People pay a bit more tax generally, employers must provide a certain amount of health insurance, self employed pay a smaller contribution. There is a co- pay element that is really not expensive. If you have no income you don't pay. The upside is that you can get a gp appointment the next day, scans, investigations, blood tests very quickly. No long waiting lists and obstetric care is very good. I wouldn't mind paying a little bit more for a service that actually worked.

My son (Year 9) tells me that in his school mock election yesterday everyone voted Reform because they thought it was funny. Quite terrifying really.

Jesus christ, you should not be anywhere near children.

I read the start of your post as our mock education and thought you are absolutely right that is exactly what we have. Too many teachers not being impartial and sprouting their left wing stonewall lead views in classrooms really does give us a mock education system.

Interesting that those particular education policies appeal to them, isn't it?