In October 2022, at age 12, Channing Li watched Prime Minister Liz Truss resign on TV, just three months after Boris Johnson quit. Terms like 'Partygate' and 'disastrous mini-budget' were confusing, but one thing was clear: Downing Street was in shambles. Now, aged 16, Li wonders how hundreds of thousands of other children are meant to trust this system when asked to vote.
Keir Starmer's resignation deepens disillusionment
Li, a work experience student writing for Metro, says he feels more disillusioned than ever after seeing Keir Starmer step down. In 2024, Labour promised 'change' after 14 years of Conservative rule marked by a mismanaged Brexit referendum and political instability. But today, Labour MPs turned on Starmer, who was hailed as a hero just two years ago. Li watched Starmer's voice break during his resignation speech and wondered how Andy Burnham's stint will end. 'It’s not just that these politicians have gone back on multiple promises: it’s that they’re unwilling to own it – at no point did Starmer acknowledge the mistakes he’s made,' Li writes.
Critique of Green Party and Reform UK
Li criticises the Green Party and Reform UK, noting it's easier to criticise the incumbent than to be the incumbent. The Greens are estimated to want to increase spending by £250 billion per year but only increase tax receipts by £170 billion, with unsustainable wealth and asset taxes that could drive the rich away. However, Li praises the Greens for reaching out to youth through political education programmes and mental health support in schools. Reform UK's controversies include racism and misogyny among its members, and their plans to tax green energy and pivot to oil reserves lack consideration for the future.
Young voices ignored by politicians
Li says teenagers are often patronised when trying to engage in political discussion, with reactions ranging from 'how adorable' to 'how naive'. In any other field, the young can be just as successful as the old, especially since many are more technologically and globally literate. But politicians reflect a bias that age equals wisdom. Labour ditched its pledge to abolish university tuition fees shortly before entering Downing Street, showing they only cared about young people when they needed their votes. Li recalls Starmer's cringeworthy attempt at a 6-7 joke, concluding that politicians misunderstand young people.
Proposals to restore trust
Li suggests introducing quotas for young MPs (21 or under), who currently make up 0% of the House of Commons, to bring authentic and digitally native politicians. Another proposal is a law requiring political candidates to designate promises as 'binding', with a new election triggered if they are broken. This would deter false promises and clarify which policies politicians truly intend to deliver. Next month, Parliament will debate a bill to allow 16-year-olds to vote, but Li says until other measures are introduced, his ballot would be empty.
Li concludes: 'I’ve changed from that boy four years back, but Downing Street hasn’t. It’s still in shambles. And just like Sir Keir, I feel resigned.'
