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| Jack McCann |
Our main man has done it again! Jerry went and ordered up another
top of the class visitor for us. So off we went to our usual haunt one fine
winter's afternoon to hear out our latest victim/guest. And in walked the very
fine Jack McCann, member of the Northern Ireland Youth Forum, elected member of
the Youth Parliament, a youth politics activist. At 18 years of age Jack has a
strong vision and has chosen to become involved in politics because he wishes
to make an impact and widen thinking. He has already successfully campaigned to
allow the right to vote at 16 and has negotiated reduced transport costs for
young people.
Jack told us a little about his interest in politics. He has
clearly contributed greatly to raising the profile of young people in politics
both in Northern Ireland and more recently while at university in Warwick. He
recognises that while young people represent 28% of the population they also
form 100% of the future and he wishes to be a part of decision making. He
regrets the media images of mask-wearing youths rioting on the streets of
Belfast and wants to demonstrate that young people can better voice their
concerns within the world of politics.
Jack is fully aware of the difficulties we face in Northern
Ireland. When every issue is shrouded in bigotry and our politicians labour
under over protected structures, it is nigh impossible to see how we might
progress. With no opposition there is no debate and so deals are alternated
between the DUP and Sinn Fein. Young people want change and this is not
happening in Stormont and so they are turned off.
The Current Affairs group then came in with some interesting
thoughts. It was suggested that in Northern Ireland we are lucky in that our
politicians have a wealth of experience. We are governed by a body of people
who are not career politicians but rather they are farmers, teachers,
solicitors ........... even former terrorists. A motley crew, perhaps, but at
least they have all worked at the chalk face. They are real people, without all
the gloss, in touch with the people. What prevents them from making real impact
is the system they have to struggle against. Many of our members brought up yet
again the notion that perhaps if the SDLP and the UU were to leave they could
form an Opposition and real debate could begin. This would require some changes
in legislation but it is not inconceivable. The present structures have taken
us so far but now that politicians talk to each other it is time and it is
appropriate to introduce some changes.
One last interesting fact came out when our man Jerry asked how
many of us are or have been involved in politics. It was refreshing to see that
a good number of hands went up. Clearly many of us have some understanding of the
difficulties of bringing about change and we are still committed to making an
impact.
The Confidence of Youth!
ReplyDeleteAs soon as Jack Mc Cann stood up today you just knew you had to listen. He may be only 18 but he clearly is a young man who knows how to hold a stage. He talked enthusiastically about his involvements in Youth Forums and Youth Parliaments and his successful campaigns lobbying for the vote at sixteen and half price fares for young people and hey, who wouldn’t want even just a smidgen of that energy, that drive? And there he was, talking to an unusually small pre -Christmas event-worn-out group of U3A members. Why did he take the time to be with us? What were we to think of him? What had we to learn? And what was he to learn from us?
Youth Forum. Youth Parliament, Youth whatever, it’s all there. For the privileged Grammar School educated few who want it, that is. Especially if it is ‘across the divide’.’ Nurturing a love of politics, a sense of power, an ability to change. All good stuff. And if you are talented enough and you are prepared to go for it here all these governmentally funded organisations are out there, all ready to enable, to facilitate, to encourage, to nurture. If you can talk, and you’re young, you’re in. If you’re under 18 it all sounds like a bit of a game actually. You pick a winning horse and you’re in!
Maybe I’m showing my age but OMG, to choose to be a Conservative at eighteen years of age! To miss out on the joys, the challenges, the delights of Europeanism! The horrors, the abdominal language and ethos of Thatcherism revisited! What happened to good old Socialism? Equality? Justice? Where are we in all this? Sorry! He’s young, he’s impressive but he is severely misguided.
And was he really listening when we talked about our wealth of experience in Politics? Did he get the whole reality of working at the chalk face? Did he know that most of us had campaigned for parties who controversially, in other words, dangerously, believed in reason? Without funding. People who fought and were compromised economically and otherwise in aid of Integrated Education? People who canvassed for parties who were willing to live out democracy in all its challenges, even under threat of death? People who chose to live in a country where there was constant bombing and fighting because they recognised this was their battle? People without the glory of youth. People caricaturised as part of the problem. Reasonable, consistently disenfranchised people.
Post Friday agreement Jack, is he too ready to talk, too ready to ignore his inheritance, too reticent to listen? Is Jack Mc Cann ever going to be someone who will recognise that ‘people’ need justice, support, investment, human rights, regardless of age? Or will Jack just continue to be a young person’s advocate? And will he ever be willing to help us address our local politics or will he prefer to take the easier path and migrate towards Conservative friendly England? Only time will tell. At least Jack accepted our invitation to talk.