Reform Jersey launches youth wing

Wednesday 25 September 2019

Jersey's only political party is launching a youth branch in a bid to get young people into politics and drive up voter numbers.

Islanders aged 13 to 24 are invited to attend a meeting at 18:00 today at the Unite the Union office at Unit 7d Spectrum on Gloucester Street, to learn more about the Youth Committee, where they'll have a chance to advise Reform Jersey’s elected members on the issues that matter to them.

While the meeting is for members only, Reform Jersey says they always welcome new members. Anyone interested in joining can do so online or today before the meeting.

The launch is part of the party’s drive to grow its membership and get a new generation involved in politics. 

Lyndsay Feltham, who became the party’s first dedicated Chairperson earlier this year, explained that as a democratic organisation, it is really important to Reform that people feel “engaged and encouraged".

With a number of young people in its ranks, the party decided to create a committee for under-25s to “send the message that the young members’ voices are very valued".

“It’s really important to hear the voice of younger people and give them the opportunity to have their own committee,” Ms Feltham said. “There is a conversation to be had by and for young people."

She continued: “We want to provide an open forum to encourage a constant dialogue and informal discussions. It’s about having a broader dialogue and hearing new ideas and ensuring elected members hear that dialogue from members.

“The more people are involved, the more people become part of the conversation, it all snow balls from there.”

Pictured: Lyndsay Feltham, Reform Jersey's Chair.

Ms Feltham hopes the move will help young islanders feel more engaged with the island’s politics. “A lot of people do not realise young people can vote at the age of 16,” she explained. “The committee is the opportunity for young people to find out more about politics and to engage them. 

“Voter turn-out is a real problem. We need to be engaging people when they are young and not only hear their voices, but also encourage people to go out and vote.”

The party’s Chair said its members are able to attend party meetings, have their input about the party’s policy and its manifesto ahead of elections. They also get to discuss party events and what they should look like.

One of Reform’s regular events is ‘Pints and Politics’ which invites people to meet up in a pub to discuss politics as its name indicates. Each evening has a different theme and this week’s meeting, at 20:00 at the Green Rooster on Friday, will be diving into 'The role of protest in democracy'.

“It’s about breaking down the barriers about talking about politics,” Ms Feltham said. “A lot of people think, ‘That’s not for me, I’m not smart enough, politics sounds a bit boring.’ But it’s about meeting like-minded people and having discussions about making the island a better place.”