From Joe Mayes (17).
IT was with much nodding of the head that I read Jodie McEwan’s article Empty Promises (JEP, 23 October).

Her assertion that youth voting apathy is a result of predominantly irrelevant Island politics certainly rings true, yet I think this only counts for a small part of the problem.

I would argue that it is more of a general lack of understanding of Jersey’s political system that puts so many of my peers off voting. The blank looks I receive in the common room in answer to the question ‘Who’s the Chief Minister of Jersey?’ epitomise this point.

Terry Le Who? Mention of Constables and Deputies bring similar shrugs of indifference. Is it thus surprising that so few young people vote when political awareness is so low?

The solution to the problem is simple: bring Jersey politics to the classroom. Let’s see the States of Jersey run compulsory one-hour workshops in each of the Island’s sixth forms at the start of each academic year, giving a crash-course in Jersey’s structure of government and outlining the thought behind some key issues: GST, the Waterfront, zero-ten etc.

Actively engage us, even if it is only as briefly as suggested, and you will see a response. Perhaps this is something our Education Minister could look into?

I can assure you that there is no dearth of opinionated bright young minds in this Island, but all that many lack is a basic appreciation of Jersey’s politics. Give us that knowledge in the classroom and watch youth voting turnout grow.