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Posted by: Jade 26th June 2016, 02:39 PM

Hi all, today this topic has been on my mind due to someone on my timeline saying that talk of the EU Referendum is doing their head in and they can't stand Politics.

I was just wondering how interested you are in Politics and do you think it is important to be? Are you extremely passionate about this field, have a casual interest or do not take much of an interest at all? How do you feel about people that have no interest in Politics if you do? Discuss away~

Posted by: Jade 26th June 2016, 02:39 PM

I admit that I have a way to go before I feel clued up about certain aspects but on the whole I do take an interest in politics, and the EU Referendum and the US Election have spiked my interest in the area more than ever. It also helps that I'm 18 and can now have a say in these things. I can understand if people do not understand certain aspects but I think it's important to at least show a bit of interest as politics can shape your whole future.

Posted by: Suedehead2 26th June 2016, 02:44 PM

At least you are prepared to admit that you are not fully clued up. I think it's fair to say that I knew less about politics at that age than I thought I did.

Posted by: Liаm 26th June 2016, 02:57 PM

I hate when people say they don't care or aren't interested. Fair enough keep quiet and out of it if you don't have a lot to say, but something like this affects everybody, the entire country, in a huge way. Everyone SHOULD care and not be so apathetic or negative towards politics and maybe the country would be in a better state. Young people especially need to take more of an interest, so maybe things would reflect us more. This isn't like sport or TV where you can just look away and it doesn't affect you. These same people will soon moan when they have to pay

I'm very interested myself but I agree with Jade I don't have full knowledge on everything, talking to Lotti a lot more recently has helped that though I love talking about politics, debating and sharing views and stuff, that piques my interest more tbh. During the EU ref I did my own research as well so I could make the right decision. Which everyone should have done so we didn't have the people saying "why did I vote leave now it's all wrong omg help let's have another referendum", but that could also come with political education in schools.

Posted by: princess_lotti 26th June 2016, 03:08 PM

I've just finished Politics at A level and I am going to be continuing to study it at university so it's fair to say I have an interest Half my course focused on British politics so that's where I'm most clued up on, and I also did an EPQ on Home Rule for England so did quite a bit of research into that kind of area. We also did do a unit on US politics which has made me a lot more interested in US politics as well. I'd love to be a lot more clued up on European politics though, the EU was only a tiny aspect of what I've studied so far. Kind of like you said though Jade, I don't feel like I know everything about Politics but I think thats part of the fun of it as a subject, it's just ever changing and continuously interesting. Backing up Liam here, I absolutely love having political discussions, whether it be people who share my views or someone I can debate with

People having no interest in politics upsets me, before I semi-rant I'm addressing this from the POV of a young person and talking about my experiences with my peers! Politics affects our everyday lives so in my view there is no need to just dismiss it completely. The kinds of people who say they don't care always give the excuse that it's too hard to get into, it's too hard to understand, which I just can't agree with. It really doesn't take long at all to just read the news everyday at a bare minimum, google maybe some terms which are new and just immerse in the political world? My social media following the EU vote has been really interesting, it has been really good to see a lot of my friends having a say and speaking their mind about the referendum, whichever side they were supporting. What's upsetting however is the statuses dismissing this and acting like people shouldn't be speaking about it if they're not professionals, and the whole let's just move on! The lack of young people interested in politics is something which I think really needs to be worked on, at a local level I know there are plans put in place in my area to try get more people involved but I would really like to see this over the nation. If young people being upset over the outcome of the EU referendum could maybe lead to increased involvement of young people in politics, at least that would be one positive :')

Posted by: Iz~ 26th June 2016, 03:27 PM

I'm interested. Actually a lot with world politics as I've just done/nearly done a course on International Relations that really upped my interest in politics and perspective on the intricacies of diplomacy. EU, the US, Russia, the Middle East, all of it is fascinating. Because it is the lifeblood of where the world is going and so to understand current events you have to keep up with it. And I can't deny that I love how it all fits together, usually, and what makes a country successful is down to how a few people organise it. It's a fascinating system if nothing else.

I enjoy discussing it with anyone and everyone too, I'm always careful to be respectful, I may not know all of the facts so I often don't go headlong into a debate but I use the chance to learn a bit more about the issue at hand and then make my own decision. I'm always pushing for everyone else to do the same, knowledge on the machinations that drive our world, and any knowledge really, is a wonderful thing.

Posted by: Silas 26th June 2016, 04:01 PM

I've got an interest in UK and Australian politics, but I'll admit when it comes to both my knowledge is centred on Scotland and Queensland respectively.

Usually I decry UK politics for being childish and dull and live for the drama of Auspol but oh my god this weekend has been utterly thrilling in the UK. PM quitting, leave campaigners doing faster u-turns than Osbourne during a budget, Scotland saying f***ity bye, Irish reunion is on the cards, George is MIA, Labour is plotting a coup against its own members wishes, Benn was sacked, shadow cabinet has quit, Shadow Scottish Sec will be an MP from outside the country.....i could go on but i'm scared i won't be able to stop.

Posted by: bipolar angel 26th June 2016, 05:53 PM

i have no interest, what so ever, in Politics. none.

i know what's decided affect all of us as a country, or as individuals, but do i care?

not really

it's all blah blah blah.. this was decided, this this and this- and then you get the people asking me.. so why didn't you watch the EU results on thursday

i'll tell you why i didn't watch them..

1. up until friday, i had no idea who david cammeron was (honestly i didn't)

and secondly, it's just in 1 ear and out the other- i don't understand it at all

Posted by: Jade 26th June 2016, 05:59 PM

Really ;o Would've thought he was one of those people that is pretty inescapable!

Posted by: bipolar angel 26th June 2016, 06:03 PM

lol, well that's how much (or little) i pay attention to Politics

Posted by: Oliver 26th June 2016, 06:15 PM

I don't mean to be rude here but do you honestly not know who the Prime Minister of the UK is?

Posted by: princess_lotti 26th June 2016, 06:18 PM

But these decisions affect your day to day life, and you're able to have a say in them by voting! It really saddens me to see you're so disinterested, if there's anything I can do to help you get interested let me know

Posted by: princess_lotti 26th June 2016, 06:19 PM

omg help

Posted by: Devan 26th June 2016, 06:20 PM

what the f***

Posted by: Liаm 26th June 2016, 06:20 PM

I think we got the message Lotti

Posted by: Devan 26th June 2016, 06:21 PM

I think she needs to say it again i wasnt sure.

Posted by: Oliver 26th June 2016, 06:21 PM

Laughing so hard right now!

Posted by: princess_lotti 26th June 2016, 06:21 PM

WHY DOES THIS KEEP HAPPENING

Posted by: princess_lotti 26th June 2016, 06:22 PM

i hope i didn't make any typos

Posted by: Oliver 26th June 2016, 06:27 PM

Well, you kinda didn't put a full stop at the end of the post.

Posted by: Silas 26th June 2016, 06:29 PM

LOLing so hard right now. I should delete them but I can't bring myself to do it.

Posted by: *Tim 26th June 2016, 06:31 PM

Someone else could

Posted by: Harve 26th June 2016, 06:33 PM

are u ok

I'm very interested in politics and I deeply regret that I'm an Economics student, which as it's studied at undergraduate level currently has way less relevance in the 'real world' than you might think/less relevance than it should. But my interest fluctuates - I got disillusioned as an undecided voter in the 2014 referendum because I could see that both campaigns had significant flaws - being an undecided voter this year must have been absolutely awful. Similarly. when I moved to Belgium it became so intimidating to learn the politics of a country which has 6 governments, half of which was in a language I don't understand. I can literally only name their Prime Minister, former Prime Minister and their legendary health (yes) minister Maggie de Block:

Posted by: spun 26th June 2016, 06:34 PM

I missed what happened spill plz

Oh and I guess I have to reply to the subject at hand now well not too many years ago I had little interest, like some say it's not my thing, but as I get older you realise it's important and when it comes to affecting futures etc. it's important to know at least the basics, like with maths if you know what I mean.

Posted by: princess_lotti 26th June 2016, 06:36 PM

NOTHING HAPPENED JUST LOTTI GIVING POLITICAL ADVICE

Posted by: Jade 26th June 2016, 06:39 PM

A lot of political advice

Posted by: spun 26th June 2016, 06:41 PM

rip lotti getting lounge mod position :')

Posted by: Devan 26th June 2016, 06:41 PM

A whole f***ing lot

Posted by: Oliver 26th June 2016, 06:41 PM

Understatement of the century!

Posted by: Dobbo 26th June 2016, 06:42 PM

Very minimal tbh. I have a quiet opinion on the odd political thing here & there but I cannot abide political debates, living with 2 Political students at Uni cemented that.

Posted by: LexC 26th June 2016, 06:58 PM

I would say I care more than I'd say I'm interested (which sounds like a nothingy distinction but bare with me). I'd say I do try and stay relatively well informed with what's occuring in the news and I have opinions on it but I don't, to my mind take a deep interest in it, say, the inner workings of the political system. So I guess you could say I'm reactive rather than proactive in my interest.

Posted by: vidcapper 26th June 2016, 07:01 PM

I was quite interested in politics 20 years or so ago, but since then I've become deeply cynical about it.

Posted by: Regina 26th June 2016, 07:08 PM

It appears knowing about people's blinds and curtains are more important than knowing who runs the country and how they affect you.

Anyway, I'm clued about enough to know what's happening and how it could affect me and my vote, but i'm not hugely invested beyond that normally.

Posted by: Flatcap 26th June 2016, 07:30 PM

Interested in politics in certain areas, an example would be transport policy (land transport in particular). Usually record Transport questions on BBC Parliament if I see it is on.

Posted by: liamk97 26th June 2016, 10:01 PM

Nah, that makes sense and it's pretty much how I stand to. Politics just doesn't appeal to me and I wouldn't be able to debate a political issue to save my life, but in regards to things like the Referendum, I've tried to listen to both sides in attempt to making an informed decision, but on the whole I just went with my gut reaction because that's at least true to yourself. I also like to deal with fact when it comes to these sort of things, but obviously facts in politics is like a needle in a haystack which is party why I just went with what makes sense to me.

Posted by: Mattias 27th June 2016, 02:18 AM

I'm really quite "bad" with politics and I hate to say it. I'm trying to become a little bit more interested, so sometimes I find myself googling a bit about it and I've had a couple of political discussions with a real-life friend recently which amazed me, but usually I shy away from political discussions on the whole. I'm always scared I'll say something wrong or will demonstrate in some way how ill-informed I am in the subject. Which I know could absolutely change the more I keep reading and learning about it, so I will try to keep doing that.

Posted by: Riser 27th June 2016, 02:52 AM

I'm pretty clued in with politics locally and nationally and think voting is hugely important- any time I vote the poll workers are happy to see me and say they wish more young voters would turn up. That said, I'm rather disappointed in the state of US politics at the moment to the point that I've avoided following the upcoming election. Both sides are moving too far from the center to ever agree on anything, and it's hard to discuss important issues when so many people only seek out the news and facts that support their beliefs. So I'm not hyped about the next four months of presidential campaigns, but overall I'm keeping informed and there's a lot going on locally to maintain my interest.

Posted by: Atonement 27th June 2016, 06:32 AM

I have absolutely no interest in it. A lot of the stuff going on will only make my blood boil, so ignorance is bliss, eh?

Posted by: Dircadirca 27th June 2016, 07:39 AM

This is kind of how I feel. I provide my votes when they're required, but on the whole, I find political discourse (both public and professional), so utterly vulgar and unpleasant on both sides that I can't engage myself any further.

Posted by: popchartfreak 27th June 2016, 07:17 PM

Did O Level British Constitution at 16 and was already interested and aware of politics, more so than a lot of adults. I mean, I was FAR more interested in pop music, let's get the priorities right

I was, and am, very opinionated about politics because I get frustrated at the lack of awareness and superficiality of reasons people vote on, and especially on being bigoted or angry and petty.

I also have a very good, and long, memory. I am also very very cynical about politicians - the more you find about MP's backgrounds and vested interests, the less I respect most of them. The number of British politicians I admire within my lifetime is rather small, at least the bigger ones. The best I can usually say is they aren't too bad, and aren't too prone to lying.

One of the most decent politicians who was (inadvertently) heavily involved in the referendum is now dead. The rest were a useless ruthless lying shower for the most part, barring a few like Alan Johnson who I genuinely like and admire, and the outraged passion Tim Fallon showed on results morning made me like him more.

The problem is most voters seem utterly incapable of telling the difference between charlatan spivs and genuine people. I have a super-power. Super-Bullshit-Spotter is my name

Posted by: SevenSeize 28th June 2016, 04:51 PM

I don't have a huge interest but I do try to gain at least a basic outline of what's going on in the world of politics, even if I don't tend to engage in political discussions (it's probably best left to those more clued in on the subject~)

Posted by: Steve201 28th June 2016, 11:31 PM

I'm a huge political geek and actively look forward to elections on tv that I can sit up and watch!

Did a Masters in Irish Politics so have a good sound basis in it!