Name: Thomas Robinson

Position: MYP

Constituency: Middlesbrough

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Which political issues are you most passionate about?

There are a wide range of political issues that I am passionate about. Young people are the next generation of voters and politicians. I don’t think people can associate with politics anymore – it may be that they have no faith in the system, they do not fully understand Parliament’s function or that they are unable to trust their MPs. If people could understand politics, then maybe we wouldn’t have problems such as voter apathy – this is where the UKYP Political Education for All campaign comes in.

What do you feel is the biggest issue for young people in your constituency?

In Middlesbrough, 35% of young people live in poverty - this causes a deepening spiral of social exclusion. Anti-social behaviour, alcohol abuse and a poor youth provision are just some of the other issues facing young people in my constituency.

What do you hope to achieve during your term of office?

During my term of office, I hope to listen carefully to my constituents and pass their views onto Councillors, MPs and relevant organisations. Decision makers will likely have no idea of what young people want in their parks and communities; I want to work with these people to represent the youngsters in Middlesbrough. I hope to address the problems facing young people and build a vital link with the Middlesbrough Youth Council.

What is your future career ambition?

I’ve chosen a wide variety of options at Post-16 to keep my options open for university. I would like to read a degree, perhaps in Political Science or Law. But at the present time, I am unsure of what my career ambitions are and want to focus on getting the best possible GCSE results.

Which public figure do you most admire and why?

I most admire the late Mo Mowlam, former MP for Redcar and Secretary of State for Northern Ireland. She was a straight-talking, courageous and inspirational woman whose passing has left a tremendous gap in British politics. Her kind-heartedness, intelligence and sense of morals are a guide for aspiring politicians to learn from. Her contribution to ending 30 years of terror in Northern Ireland makes her one of Britain’s greatest politicians – she was a truly remarkable woman.

If there was one message you could send to the government, what would it be?

You need to start thinking about how your decisions are affecting everyone in the UK, from the low income families, to the wealthier families. It seems the government are not listening to the electorate and with a general election imminent – now is the time for that to change: we voted you in; we can easily vote you out – listen to your country!

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