Making the choice: Voters talk about the issues that concern them as Enfield goes to the polls

Wednesday, 05 May 2010 - from the Enfield Advertiser

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VOTES for the main parties cannot be taken for granted by a new generation of young people who do not feel traditional political loyalties.

That is the view of 24-year-old Randy Lewis, who says that Labour’s traditionally guaranteed vote among the working classes has not transferred to young people.

Mr Lewis, a member of the Youth Engagement Panel which offers advice and support to young people in the borough, said: “More young people want to vote this time around, but a lot of the people who are running for office don’t really understand their lives. I’ve been encouraging as many people as possible to register to vote. It’s easy to moan about politicians, but if you don’t do anything about it, like voting, maybe you don’t have a right to complain.”

And Mr Lewis believes this election will be more open than ever. “When I first voted, I voted for Labour,” he said. “But now things have started to change – I don’t think they can bank on the black vote any more. Labour used to get the working-class vote, but times have also now moved on
and the other parties are starting to appeal.”

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