On Thursday over two and half million Greater Mancunians will vote for a new metro-mayor who will represent them across the UK and on the international stage. Local and national political figures have been campaigning hard to be elected. However awareness of the elections has been limited at best, and few Greater Mancunians are discussing or debating devolution.
As 17 year olds, we have wondered where young people stand in terms of these dramatic constitutional changes. What will the future of Greater Manchester hold for young people? How can the newly elected mayor ensure that the next generation is not only heard, but will hold real decision-making influence? When we asked some fellow 17 year olds what they thought about devolution, it was not exactly a topic that keeps them awake at night. Many told us they do not feel like ‘politics’ has anything to do with them. They complain that they can’t vote, but then admit that even if they could they probably wouldn’t.
So we tried a different tack, “what could the new mayor do for you?” We thought this might yield some positive and constructive policy ideas. But when they asked us if the new mayor would be able to raise the minimum wage, or bring back the Education Maintenance Allowance, we had to tell them that no, he or she would not. When they asked if the mayor would be able to reform and improve school curricula or bring back the youth and sports clubs that our parents remember, we had to tell them that no, he or she would not. When they asked if the mayor will be able get waiting times down for supported housing, mental health services or social workers, we told them maybe – but probably not.
So what opportunities does devolution actually present for young people? In addition to control of health and social care spending, Greater Manchester will soon have new powers regarding transport, policing, and housing. The transport system across the region is expensive and disjointed, policing is underfunded and overstretched, and there is a lack of affordable housing and homelessness is rising. Young people will inevitably reap the benefits of more coherent management in these respects.
But will devolution have a significant impact on their daily lives in the ways they want? The answer is yes – to a certain extent. Some candidates have adopted a refreshingly youth-centric approach – proposing subsidised bus fares for 16-17 year olds, and an ‘opportunity pass’ where young people can earn credit to spend on cultural activities (such as theatre, galleries, and gigs) by contributing to their community. Dropping Government plans to strip 18-21 year olds of housing benefit, and additional provision for youth-focused housing support organisations such as the Manchester Foyer will make a massive difference to young people who lack stable domestic situations.
The Greater Manchester mayoral elections are however just the start of a longer devolution journey and there is a need for the new mayor to be ambitious and radical. For example, the integration of all transport provision is essential but the current devolution deal doesn’t include train services – which are run by privatised rail franchises. We don’t expect the mayor to be the answer to all our problems but devolution has nevertheless presented the people of Greater Manchester with an unprecedented opportunity and we need radical policies.
Devolution needs to pay young people the attention they deserve. Although young people are often accused of being politically apathetic, many politicians make a conscious decision to disengage or overlook them. Moreover although youth assemblies, youth councils and youth parliaments all over the UK offer examples of democratic passion and commitment of young people, some politicians disregard these efforts because young people over the age of 18 do not vote in large numbers. Young people care about where they live and devolution should build on this sense of community to provide a vehicle for promoting youth participation. Moreover the new mayor should consider lowering the voting age to 16 for future elections. When you enfranchise people, they feel empowered.
There are other essential prerequisites if the devolution agenda is to succeed. The city of Manchester is increasingly being seen as an alternative to London for media, investment, and businesses. For the North West of England to realise its full potential, devolution cannot however just apply to the big cities. Devolution needs to break away from the tunnel-vision which focuses on big cities and encompass every citizen of the region – a true, equal redistribution of power will redefine politics for the next generation.
If issues concerning young people are to be addressed – from inequality to education – then devolution should apply to the village, the town, and the city, at all levels. If the devolved powers are equally distributed across Greater Manchester, this will help young people to feel valued and engaged. The new mayor has the opportunity to define the role, to develop a framework for communication with young people, and help them feel like they are citizens just as much as anyone else.
Ella Parkinson and Robbie Lee are A Level Government and Politics students at Xaverian College, Manchester.
Alison Hall, Head of Government and Politics at Xaverian College, is Communications Officer of the Political Studies Association Teachers’ Network. Alison writes ‘At Xaverian, we believe in encouraging students to be active in discussion to explore social, cultural and political issues. Students are also encouraged to attend a range of community political events, university lectures and to meet people involved in informal and formal politics. Our philosophy is to look for ‘political’ opportunities for students to develop their thinking and communication skills, and even one day run for office’. This article reflects the keen interest of Xaverian College students in the Greater Manchester Mayoral Elections, particularly their participation in the Democratic Devolution project and candidate youth hustings, both of which have been funded by the Political Studies Association.
Image: William McCue
