MP canvassing with child

[FantasticFox27]

My local MP came canvassing last week with a teenage child in tow (secondary school age). I assume it was his son. The cynic in me thinks that he brought this child as a type of shield, being a Tory MP he could expect a lot of hassle on doorsteps and perhaps people will be more inclined to be more friendly in the company of a child.
I don't know this was the rationale behind the decision to take the child with him, but it still made me question his rational thinking and morals. He can expect that he will at best have some harsh words from some constituents, but realistically he can expect some severe hostility in the current climate. I have 13 and 15 year old children and I would never choose to put them in that sort of situation. I do my best not to judge other peoples parenting, but in this case I can't help it! I honestly think he has put his child's safety at risk to try and protect himself.
Am I wrong? Or is this the norm?

It's inappropriate.

MPs are humans - maybe he just didn't have any childcare. The campaign has been called at short notice and it's an incredibly intense period for candidates. I can easily see someone with school age children needing to bring them along canvassing

How old?

But you’re assuming it’s his child. It might have been a young person involved in politics.

The child was a teen so should be able to be left at home.

My children wouldn’t have canvassed with me because of the possibility of knocking on the door of someone that they knew from school and I would have understood.

If it is when the child should have been at school, then you should have asked the question why they were not.

If they were a Tory you could have commented how nice it was that the MP has a relationship with his son, unlike Boris Johnson with one of his daughters. Or asked the MP what he would do if his son wished to be known as a woman.

Many senior MPs have a history of joining Young Conservatives etc so maybe it’s a keen teen politics fan like somebody else suggested ?

If they’re a teenager they maybe wanted to do it? Teenagers are very good at being sulky and that wouldn’t be a good look if they were being forced to do it. I don’t see much of an issue.

One of the MP candidates in my local area took his wife, teen son and a toddler canvassing.

I don't think there anything wrong with it. You get to see the family which is a big part of their life.

In later secondary school my oldest was hugely involved with politics and would have rellised the idea of going canvassing.

At secondary stage if older years I would not think much of it. A year 7/8 ish I'd likely think. Hmm odd

That is interesting to read in Ireland I know a lot of canvassing takes place as a family event. I know if two in particular and the children and grandchildren help out.

It is a sad reflection on society if people cannot communicate appropriately without being disrespectful or intimidating.

Childcare for a teenager 🤔

So you asked the MP who the child was?

If it was their child, why can’t they have chosen to go out with their parent to support them? Maybe they want to become an MP when they’re older?

I don’t see it any different than Jehovah Witnesses going door knocking with their children.

Would I do either - No, but I wouldn’t judge others for it.

Perhaps the teen wanted to come?

If the child is happy to be there and wants to actively engage in politics then personally I don’t see an issue.

My relative is an mp and does this too-I feel sorry for the now teen who has had to do this shite since they were very young

As others have said if they are a teen then surely they are making a choice to be there. Likely into politics themselves. So a member of youth parliament / young conservatives. almost irrelevant whether they are his child or not, if they weren't introduced as such. Canvassing is often a family thing as politics is a vocation. And to be perfectly honest, there are some political candidates who appear to be teenagers.

Becoming an MP isn't like other jobs. Rightly or wrongly.

It's a family thing which expectations placed on everyone in the family unit in terms of their lifestyle and behaviour as it's regarded as in the public interest.

Afterall if you have the MP who is standing on law and order policy, if their teen has a long criminal history thats worthy of comments because of standards in public life and hypocrisy.

The impact of being a candidate can't be ignored - abuse is part of the job. Again rightly or wrongly.

It's a lifestyle choice not just a job.

I don't think you can criticise it anymore than someone who goes veggie or is religious or has a life risking job (such as police or fire).

The family have to suck up these decisions.

The son is at an age where he could say no. He hasn't. There's every reason to believe he's supportive and proud of dad.

To answer a few questions, I would say definitely upper secondary school, not yr7/8/9. It was half term so no school. I didn't get to ask him anything as I was away, but my mum was here and let me know he called. I can see them from the security cameras.
Some interesting opinions on this. I know in America it's quite a thing to put on the 'family show' but I didn't think that happened here (at least not at a local level), and certainly not for door to door knocking. I take on the point that for kids wanting to get into politics it would be worthwhile experience. I guess I am looking at it from the point of my 15 yo who I think would be traumatised at seeing their father continually met with hostility / possibly shouted at. This MP has never done door to door canvassing that I'm aware of so I personally think he's running scared.

I have no problem with this. I used to help with canvassing (different party) as a teenager. I didn’t knock on doors until I was 16 I think, but I leafleted, ran the board to keep track of answers and carried extra material. I’ve also canvassed for someone whose older daughter (10ish) came with us a few times to spend time with her Dad - again she didn’t go to the door, but was in the general group, she had a good walk, fresh air and a lot of people she knew to chat to on and off.

If the teenager was reluctant and stroppy then it would be a really bad image. If they were keen/interested/curious, then why on Earth not?

Could have been “take your child to work day”. Or could have been a work experience teen. My DD shadowed our MP for three days. Also why on earth would anyone take offence at this? It’s good for the young to learn and making an assumption that a Conservative mp is wrong to do this is ludicrous! Even if it was his son, so what? MPs work very hard and many don’t see too much of their families. Just give them a break! We are turning into such a nasty country where something totally ok is seen as something reprehensible to make a political point.

You weren't even there when it happened?! So much effort for something that was such a non event. Plus a follow up mumsnet post.

My local lib dem candidate has tons of older teenagers out on the campaign trail with him, I assume it's the youth branch of the local party.

Mine have been to all manner of political things since they were babies in a carrier.
I remember my son sitting on a campaign stall as a toddler pointing out whenever an interesting truck passed by. I called him out "transport spokesman".
And another time leafleting when he announced "I'm bored of putting leaflets in doors. I'm going to put a stick in the next one"
And my daughter who's been to so many meetings that she play acted them with her dolls. I used to write the minutes for her!
I usually cut them a deal. Good behaviour at Mummy's boring political thing. Then a McDonalds and a fun activity for the rest of the day.

I don't think it harmed them at all. It was an education in democracy. It's good for them to feel part of a wider adult world.
They're both big enough to stay home by themselves now, and mostly choose to.
So I'd guess if a teen was on the campaign trail it was because he wanted to be.

Why?

Children can be really interested in politics.

Mine love learning about it and talking about it

And I would like to think everyone would be respectful to politicians, even if they dislike their politics

This is Mumsnet where children can't be left alone until age 18 and upon reaching that age are pushed out of the door to fend for themselves being then adults 🙄