Author: Rob

Why I Back Reducing the Voting Age To 16

Voting at age 16
~ Rob

Many politicians aren’t open to the idea of allowing 16 year olds the right to vote. Yet for many 16 and 17 year old students it’s a great idea and gives them a voice in politics.

While we aren’t official classed as adults until aged 18 I find it strange that the UK age of consent for sexual relationships is 16, meaning we can have sex and create human life yet are unable to cast vote in the democracy that we live in.

Young people shouldn’t be put off by politics. I think having the chance to vote at 16 would encourage many young people to be involved in politics and the things that affect them such as tuition fees, student debt, climate change, rail fares, new laws, the economics of the country, beer prices and our beloved NHS.

Lots of people have concerns about lowering the voting age, they say how can 16 year old teenagers have enough life experience to make a decision on government manifesto and proposals. This real issue is politicians fail to realise we care about things and aren’t represented or given a say on things that impact the country and our lives. Lowering the voting age to 16 is a positive step to engage the younger generation and spark their interest in politics.

If you don’t get a vote then things are taken out of our hands, which leads to disillusionment, disappointment and disenchantment because we don’t feel listened and our opinions ignored. Reducing the voting age will help attract and engage young disenfranchised voters.

All 16 and 17 year olds views weren’t even considered in the Brexit Vote, which was crazy since it will impact young people’s future the most. As the Brexit Battle was fought out most students had to sit and watch the campaigns and fallout of the aftermath. Not getting a chance to vote on Brexit was the worst thing that politicians could have done to undermine the youth voice because it will be us that face the deepest consequences of leaving the European Union.

When problems affect the Millennial and Generation Z why shouldn’t we be able to have some input, why don’t politicians what to empower us to lead change for the future? Aren’t we important enough to be heard? Maybe 18 to 24 year-olds have a lack of interest in politics and the lowest voter turnout of any demographic because we aren’t listened to or given rights to express a political viewpoint.

Young people need to discuss politics in a friendly and informal manner and although very young adolescents may not worry about taxes or the economy and seem uninterested in the outcome you can’t deny that politics affects their lives, family and the whole world. I want you to exchange views with others and most importantly register to vote then cast your vote.

A-level and university students are given the opportunity to debate social issues  in lessons and lectures so why prevent them a vote. Isn’t education about enhancing peoples knowledge, preparing them for life and opening opportunity.

The argument about whether voting at 16 should be possible is about giving the teenagers right to take part in democracy and discussing what matters most to the young generation.

The truth is we care and dismissing our ideas, hopes and what we care about shouldn’t be dismissed the in political arena. Many government policies focus and affect our further education. If the voice of the youth isn’t been heard then it’s time to take a stand.

Having a chance to vote will let students take ownership and make decisions that shape our futures. By legislating for us to vote we can have a voice and give us the rights to be taken seriously.

We are all doing politics of some nature, whether at home with our parents, at school and working with the boss we are trapped by the rules and laws that govern us. I encourage 16 and 17 year olds to get involved, we all need to do politics or politics will do us over in the next general election.

Don’t be apathetic or think your vote doesn’t count. I believe that the voting age needs to be debated again. I know some have stereotypes about us students and if you consider our age group to be too immature to vote then “your mom”, you grumpy Boaty Mcboatface.

If on the other hand you believe that 16 and 17 years should have the right to vote and the law needs to change than please comment and share this article with the social media buttons below.

Increasing Rail Fares Always Impact Travelling Students More

~ Rob

Every year rail fares always increase and the discontent and outrage due to poor service follows it. Rail fares keep increasing by an average of around 3% while public transports keeps failing the people who pay for it.

Students and commuters who have to rely on public transport already know that the UKs rail service isn’t the most reliable and highest quality. Charging more for poor service is sickening when you don’t have an alternative. The delays, cancellations and state of the trains are hardly something to smile about. And once again our budgets will have to find the money for the fare increases so we can get to work, back home again and travel around to see family and friends.

Rail users and travelling students should have to expect a second or even third rate service. While a 16-25 Railcard helps save money (https://www.railcard.co.uk) you shouldn’t need to buy an extra discount card to get around. British rail fares are already over the top compared to other places. Like other European cities public transport should offer amazing reliable services, be cheaper and greener for the environment.

With climate change being a real threat to life on Earth it should be a priority to reduce emissions and encourage rail travel by bring costs down and service levels up. The cost and anguish of travelling by rail is certainly off-putting. For some journeys it’s easier, quicker and cheaper to fund a plane ticket. With cheap air travel it’s crazy that it can actually be cheaper to fly abroad than getting around the UK.

Despite the year on year ticket increases the rail companies still claim the money is need for rail investment. I wonder where all money has gone over the years because it’s not been spent on our railways. Many of the UK train operators are owned by overseas companies who seem able to profit and fund their own rail networks very well. In many areas of the UK our train services have got worse with companies being stripped of their license and services been renationalised to public ownership.

When it’s too expensive to travel around and train services are in such a mess it impacts our jobs, work, the economy, the climate and our social lives. The state of our railways is shocking and in the North of England the years of station closures and neglect is devastating to many local regions.

How Do Students Feel About Brexit Day?

~ Rob

On the 23rd June 2016 the UK voted to leave the European Union by a tiny majority dividing the country in two. Since then the mood and the very identity of the United Kingdom has changed. Political tensions and emotions are high are we are split into “leave” and “remain”, with each group critically attacking each other.

The Brexit vote has turned the country toxic and hateful, the United Kingdom is nothing like United as Scotland wants to break free and leave the UK. After the Brexit vote I think many Remainers were in disbelief at the outcome.

Over three and a half years on from the referendum the UK has left the European Union. Most young people and students supported the Remain campaign. Unfortunately like many 16 and 17 year olds I never got a say in the matter because I was “too young” to vote and I endorsed a second referendum:

Leavers and Hardened Brexiteers believe that leaving the EU offers fresh and exciting opportunities, however I’m more cautious and fearful of the future. We know a lot more about the potential impact of leaving then we did during the vote and the matter still isn’t settled. There is a danger we’ll have a hard Brexit at the end of December 2020 if the UK and EU can’t agree on a trade deal and negotiations fail.

From the celebration interviews I saw on TV some Brexiteers don’t really know how leaving will offers the UK any tangible benefits. They claim they “have their freedom back” yet the EU never blocked our freedoms, in fact by restricting Freedom of Movement to live and work in EU countries we are losing more freedoms and EU laws that protect our rights. The only reason we have human rights laws, workers rights and food standards is because the EU enforce them. Membership has kept peace in Europe for over 75 years.

From the BBC videos I’ve seen Britain looks so badly educated and the vast majority of Leavers can’t even explain what they were voting for and don’t have any clue as to the things that the EU membership has done for us.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y7tvauOJMHo

Like the Romans the EU has affected us in many positive ways yet people don’t understand this or see it. We take it all for granted like clean running water.

I don’t feel hesitant to say that the elite promoted leaving so they could selfishly profit and avoid EU tax laws, while saying to the masses that “we’ve had enough of the elite telling us what to do”. It’s ironic that many multi millionaires, rich politicians and business supported Brexit then moved they money, investments and manufacturing abroad. Some Leave voters even have duel passports and live abroad which seems a bit hypocritically to reject staying in the EU.

I’ll be honest leaving the EU doesn’t fill me with hope and the main reason leavers felt dejected was because of the lies that they were told in the media that blamed the EU for the UKs problems. I think many leavers were brainwashed and tricked into thinking the EU was a dictatorship and responsible for many problems in the UK when surely fixing things like the NHS, social care, schools, infrastructure  and our crumbling towns is down to our own government.

Many of promises and promoters of a great Brexit seem to be backtracking. As an new independent nation state the suffering of our citizens and neglect of public services is the responsible of the government, we can’t blame the EU or foreigners anymore. Now we’ve left the Brexiters need to own the outcomes, deliver the goods they promised and “unleash the potential” of Britain:

  • 350 million each week for the NHS (I read it on a bus)
  • Global trades deals to bring prosperity for all not just the elite
  • The EU savings put into education and research
  • We enjoy highly skilled workers without increasing immigration
  • Cheaper food prices
  • Leaving won’t affect the security of the UK
  • Investment in the North outside of London
  • We remain a world leader and see GPD growth.

Furthermore the leave campaign was found by the Electoral Commission to have broken the law. To be frank how can you accept a democratic vote based on legal activities and funding? We are still awaiting the publication of the Russian report about interference with our democracy.

If you try to question the facts we hear that “it’s the will of the people” but what if that will and democracy was bent and manipulated by lies and dark outside forces, corrupt media and people with hidden agendas? If we want results to go our way then we tend to fib, distort the facts and influence people with made up stories, fake news and propaganda.

These tales and false advertising help fuel our bias, prejudices and hate which leak in to our decision making. Looking at UK voting and on social media we’ve definitely seen a huge shift to the far right of politics.

As a remainer who never got the chance to vote I strongly believe in the European project and it’s sad to see us out. I’ll happily accept the result if these benefits or “rainbow unicorns” can be realised, yet so much uncertainty and doubts remains for the country’s future. Can we thrive and create economic opportunities outside the EU or will we become Little England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland? Will we miss out on being a part of a EU free market economy and it’s beautiful culture?

I think Brexit puts peoples livelihoods and jobs at serious risk and many companies have already quit the UK or gone bust. The real impact is yet to be seen and I’m concerned for the future of many young people. I find it worrying that a generation who mainly wanted to remain don’t have a voice and face depleting  opportunities in life.

How do you and particular other students feel about leaving the EU? Do you love it or hate it? Whether you are a leaver or remainer please comment below.

Contribute a Guest Blog Post

~ Rob

Hello my friends. Be excited!!! This year I am offering something I have never done before.

I’m happy to announce the opening of guest blogs. If you want to share your story, experience or have something cool to share with my readers I’d like your input.

You won’t be paid a penny for this, however now’s your chance to get your views online without the set-up, learning curve and running costs of your own website. The idea is to help our readers and also help start a community network.

Please contact me with your pitch before writing your article.

Leftunders is on the hunt for new writers. Here is your chance to team up and get your blog and writing out to a larger audience. I’m open to all sorts of topics and any awesome content that will interest and educate my readers. If you’re a new blogger and would like to contribute a guest post I’d love to hear from you.

I’d love to accept every pitch unfortunately not all will be the right fit. Here’s what to do and my publishing guidelines to help:

  • Post must be at least 450 words in length.
  • You may include an author bio, link to your own blog and social media networking profiles.
  • No blatant advertising.
  • Please proofread for spelling and grammar before submitting your post.
  • No stealing, copying and pasting from other sources unless used as a quote.

If your content is suitable I will publish your article on here. When it’s published don’t forget to plug it on social media.

Think you can cut it? Then I want to hear from you. Get involved by contacting me here.

Student Cooking Class for Beginners

~ Rob

Teacher: Where does food come from?

Student: The late night petrol station.

Student life is hard but there is no reason why you should have to live off cheap kebabs and pot noodles. Preparing and making your own food is more rewarding than pre-packaged meals. To save cash and help your well being students should improving and expand their cooking skills.

As a student you’ll be doing more home cooking than before so you need to learn to cook for yourself without breaking the bank and budget. A great bit of advice when it comes to cooking basics is to try simpler recipes. Learning the basics of cooking before trying the more advanced recipes. You won’t learn without trying it.

When it comes to basic cooking skills for students you would never learn if you don’t try master some basic cooking skills and then move your horizons to the more complex recipes.

From beans on toast…..to food like this……

My Chinese cuisine and Italian have improved a lot. I’ve come to enjoy the process of making my own food. Begin with the basics and learn recipe by recipe. Something else to remember while cooking is that nothing appears to draw out the flavour of Italian food like a good bottle of wine.

Since the post Student Food for the Cooking and Financially Challenged I’ve turned into the cooking housewife around here. The most imperative thing for you to do while cooking nourishment is not to consider the cooking too seriously. Make it fun and experiment and don’t be afraid of trying something new or making mistakes.

There are hundreds of thousands of recipes over the Internet, cook books at the library and food bloggers who can help you start creating a few recipes of your very own.

As you can see it is possible to do a cheap weekly shop and make tasty grub on a student’s budget. It’s important that young people and students learn to cook. With some practise you can prepare your own student food with confidence.

If all else fails then it’s off to Mceedees or Bob’s Burgers.