cyc shoutout election special final

With the General Election looming on

7th May and politicians ever in the

spotlight, what better time for Cardiff

Youth Council to bring politics to the

young people of Cardiff! 3.3 million

potential first-time voters will line up

at the ballot box this week to take part

in the democratic process and have

their voice heard on issues that affect

them.

Here at CYC, we decided to hold a

twitter-style digital hustings event

through a special edition shout-out to

question the candidates on issues

raised by you.

Last year, 2261 young people across

Cardiff took part in the Make Your Mark ballot as part of the largest youth consultation in Europe. Cardiff

Youth Council then set their current

priorities according to the findings.

Using these issues, highlighted by

young people, we devised a series of

questions for each of Cardiffs 29

Parliamentary Candidates representing

9 different parties and recorded their

twitter-style responses in this Special

2015 General Election Edition Shout-

out.

We understand this is a very busy time

for the candidates and we would like to

thank them for taking the time to

respond to the issues raised by the

young people of Cardiff.

Cardiff Youth Counci l are a

representative council for 11-25 year

olds that advocate for positive change

across the City of Cardiff. We are not

a political organisation so we have made

sure to contact all the candidates

standing in the four Cardiff

constituencies fairly and without bias.

We have no party affiliations and have

been very clear in putting forward our

agenda; to promote the rights and

voices of young people in Cardiff.

Marc Tilley

Cardiff Youth Council Member

General Election

May 2015

Inside this issue:

Cardiff North 2

Cardiff Central 5

Cardiff South &

Penarth

9

Cardiff West 12

Cardiff Council

Cyngor Caerdydd

Special 2015 General Special 2015 General

Election EditionElection Edition

DIGITAL HUSTIN

GS SHOUT

DIGITAL HUSTIN

GS SHOUT--OUTOUT

Weve heard their voices, Weve heard their voices,

now its time to hear yours! now its time to hear yours!

Active Involvement Team

58 Charles Street

Cardiff

CF10 2GG

Contact Details: Phone: 07976056135 Email: [email protected]

ELIZABETH CLARK

1. What is your position on the introduction of a Living Wage?

There should be an independent review to consult on how to set a fair living

wage across all sectors.

2. What are your plans to improve our mental health services?

Mental health will have equal status with physical health. Mental health training for GPs, teachers and youth club workers will be

improved.

3. What will you do to protect and fund our youth services?

I would continue to highlight the value of youth services, as I did with the Cathays Community Centre last year.

4. How could the national curriculum better prepare people for life?

Vocational skills should be valued equally with academic achievement. There should also be more focus on workplace skills for

everyone.

5. Are you in favour of reducing the voting age to sixteen?

Yes.

6. How will you, and what have you done to, meaningfully engage young people?

As a school governor I have listened to the needs of young people and encouraged them to fulfil their potential and dreams

7. In no more than 140 characters, please summarise why young people should vote for you.

I have helped ensure highest ever increase in minimum wage for apprentices, introduced lower bus fares for 16-18 year olds and

will do more.

Page 2

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JEFF GREEN


The CP policy is 0% tax and no NI on earnings up to 12k. More lower income earners keep more of

earnings. We encourage a living wage but not enforcing it on employers.


Peer group pressure, social media contributes strongly. Teach self-control, build character & independent thought to reduce self-abuse

which can lead to mental illness


Build relationships between local business, schools, & youth centres to develop sponsored enterprise schemes for work experience,

youth employment & financial support


Focus on core academic subjects, 3Rs, British history, social responsibility, personal finances enterprise classes with business, & life skills

team building


No. Let the youth enjoy their youth and focus on their education. Theres time enough when they get to 18. You are an adult at 18


Championed skatepark for 5 years, judged school enterprise projects for 2 years; Now promoting dynamic youth centres and youth

council to train our young


Old enough to know the challenges and have a track record but young enough to relate and drive projects forwards with determination

& persistence for a better Cardiff


ELIN WALKER JONES


Plaid Cymru supports the Living Wage


We need to support people to access and engage with services in a timely manner, avoid postcode lottery, increase specialist

services


Invest more (scrap Barnet formula), reduce admin, increase specialist staff, coordinate Health & Local Authority, protect third

sector, increase research


Young people need life skills as well as academic skills. Teachers need training on how to teach these skills.


Yes


We have young people out canvassing with us - fab! Attended hustings too


Why vote the same way and expect different results? Vote for hope: vote to make a real difference for Wales: vote Plaid Cymru!

ETHAN R WILKINSON


I think it's a great idea in theory but problematic in practice: how will SMEs afford this? Let's tackle minimum wage

exploitation first


The NHS needs to take a 'whole person' approach to health and give mental health parity with physical health. An extra 170bn a year.


As a young person I understand importance of youth services. I'll work with you to deliver what you want. Money is there let's use it better.


First Aid training, compulsory MFL, high quality apprenticeships, citizenship studies, internships, core subjects (maths, English) to 18yrs.


Personally yes! Anything that politically engages youth is a good thing. We should have a referendum and let youth decide!


Ive been to schools, answered Tweets, texts & emails, updated website, done Facebook & Twitter chats. I would continue to engage digital-

ly.


I'm 24, a uni student, I've set up my own business, I'm trilingual, I'm married & I've a son. I understand what young people need & want.

CRAIG WILLIAMS


I support the Living Wage as a voluntary rate of pay & the Living Wage Foundation benchmark

program for employers to become accredited


Tackling stigma, working and empowering charities and already established expertise in the field to support front line carers and patients.


We need a strong & stable economy to fund our public services, only by sticking to our Long Term Economic Plan will we be able to do

this.


It needs to develop & enhance the vocational side, we need two equally respected routes through our education system, academic &

vocational.


We will empower the Welsh Assembly to decide these issues in Wales, in terms of a General Election, no, we need to work on huge

apathy first


I am actively involved on social media, I visit schools, attend youth hustings & work with our youth movement, Conservative Future.


No response given

Page 4


MARI WILLIAMS


I strongly believe that everyone should be paid an honest wage for honest work, which is why Labour will be offering tax cuts to reward

businesses which offer the living wage, as well as raising the minimum wage to 8/hr by 2019


We created the NHS in 1948 and now we'll bring it into the 21st Century by making sure mental health is given the same regard as phys-

ical health and ensuring all medical professional receive quality mental health training


Youth Services have been undermined by poor funding and protection when they should provide safe haven for young people. We want

to make them youth-led and empower young people with ownership of these services


As a teacher, I understand the importance of making education accessible and useful. Labour's plans will elevate the status of vocational

courses and give all schools freedom over the curriculum (except for compulsory sex-ed)


Personally, YES! Young people have every right to take part in democracy. Labour will reduce the voting age to include 16&17 year-olds

in time for the 2016 London Mayoral Election and then nationally


Recently, I've visited High Schools across Cardiff North to answer questions about myself, why it's so important to vote in May and trying

to make politics as interesting and accessible as possible


If elected, I will be a full-time, dedicated MP, standing up for Cardiff North and working hard for my constituents. I've shown I'm willing to

do this through recent campaigns where I've petitioned the council and held public meetings.

CCCARDIFFARDIFFARDIFF CCCENTRALENTRALENTRAL

RICHARD HOPKIN


We back the Living Wage and encourage employers to take it up if they can afford it.


1.25bn more to be invested in mental health to start new access standards plus 118m more to fund talking therapists across the coun-

try.


Weve delivered a strong economy to pay for good quality youth services. Labour want more borrowing which young people will have to

repay.


71% more pupils taking subjects employers value like English and maths. Continuing focus on restoring rigour in standards.


Our policy is that the case is not yet made for this. Speaking personally, I have an open mind and would look into it further.


Ive met many young people during campaign. Done hustings and media interviews e.g. Gair Rhydd. Active presence on Facebook and

Twitter.


No response given

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MARTIN POLLARD


1 in 4 workers in Cardiff Central don't earn Living Wage. We shouldn't just increase minimum wage a little - raise it to Living Wage

level.


Must make diagnosis and treatment available more quickly. More funding for talking therapies, eating disorders and drug/alcohol

treatment.


Youth services essential, not optional. I'll fight any Cardiff Council plan to cut service & push for Wales to be funded equally to Scot-

land


Let each school decide how to achieve curriculum targets. More chances to learn languages & computing. Education/training to age

18 for all.


Yes. Scottish referendum got 16 year olds really engaged. Young people can be turned off by party politics, but that's politicians'

problem!


I've worked for 14 years to engage young people with global issues & develop thinking/communication skills. I'll champion these aims

as MP.

JO STEVENS


I've campaigned locally in support of a Living Wage. Labour will raise the minimum wage & give incentives to employers who pay a

Living Wage


I believe mental health is as important as physical - well equalise them & improve access to services, particularly for young

people.


Ill advocate putting young people at the heart of decision making, giving the opportunity to shape services & where funding goes.


Id love to see innovative lessons on democracy & citizenship, financial skills and relationship education in with sex ed for a

start!


Yes - votes at 16 with political/democracy education. Young people matter, and should have a say in decision-making that affects

them.


Ive visited schools & events and met many young people. As MP Ill keep listening & work with young people on issues that

matter to them.


Ill be open and accessible; Ill raise the profile of young voices from Cardiff, listen to your ideas & fight hard for you in Parliament.

Page 6


CHRIS VON RUHLAND


It's Green Party policy to increase the living wage to 10 per hour by 2020.


Mental health services, along with social care needs to be fully integrated into a properly funded NHS to provide a joined-up

health service


Youth services will receive an extra 1bn funding plus 25k in each local authority for young people to spend on facilities decided

by them.


Teach politics as a key skill, make PSHE compulsory


Definitely. Early involvement in the democratic process encourages engagement


Promote policies that young people consider relevant to them. All too often, young people feel left out of the political process


We have borrowed the planet from our young people and have left it in a mess. Sorry. Green Party policies aim to address this.

STEVE WILLIAMS


TUSC candidates believe that we should have a minimum/living wage of least 10/hr for all and we would also scrap zero hors

contracts


TUSC are socialists that believe we should help everyone in our society; we would protect funding for vital services such as

mental health


Only this Saturday TUSC held a protest in Queen Street to help stop the creeping privatisation and cuts to our Youth services

in Cardiff


The national curriculum should give young people a broad education base. It should also be based on real life experience not

always academic


TUSC is in favour of 16 and 17 year old getting the vote. In the Scottish referendum it was the young people that were most

engaged


TUSC encourages young people to participate in politics. In fact it is young people that are the driving force behind our policies


Young people should vote TUSC because we will stop their exploitation by capitalism and make their voice heard in the political

process


JENNY WILLOTT


@libdems will pay Living Wage in all central Govt Depts & agencies and encourage the rest of public sector to do same.


We will invest 8b in NHS by 2020 and give MH same status as physical health, improve liaison services & childrens MH services.


@libdems in Cardiff put together a budget to protect youth services and play centres, as they are so important in local communities.


@libdems want compulsory SRE in all schools, which would include sex & relationship education, financial literacy & citizenship.


Yes! And its in the @libdems manifesto.


Ive visited most schools/youth ctrs in area in last 10 yrs mtg 1000s of young people & Im Hon President BYC hosting events in Par-

liament


No response given

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Page 8

STEPHEN DOUGHTY


I have campaigned for the living wage locally and well incentivise companies to pay it. We'll also increase the minimum wage to 8

an hour.


Well continue to lead the way in improving mental health services. Weve increased spending on services at a time when the UK

coalition has cut spending year-on-year.


Ive campaigned strongly with young people in Cardiff who want to see vital youth services and facilities protected. I will continue to

do so if re-elected.


Personal relationship advice, as well as online safety and social media skills, should be a greater part of the school curriculum.


Yes!


Whilst MP I visited schools, colleges, met with Cardiff Youth Council, and welcomed youth groups to Parliament, as well as making

myself totally accessible online.


Only Labour will build a fair economy, with a focus on jobs, opportunities, training and education for all young people.

Page 9

CCCARDIFFARDIFFARDIFF SSSOUTHOUTHOUTH & P& P& PENARTHENARTHENARTH

BEN FODAY


I fully support a Living Wage. The UK Government subsidies big business to pay poverty wages, by setting the minimum wage far

too low.


I believe health & social care should be merged providing a integrated service for needs of the individual rather institutional pri-

orities.


Wales can afford great Youth Services. I'd start by voting against spending 100billion making new Weapons of Mass Destruction

(Trident)


I believe it should include issues like Citizenship, Equality and Welsh Culture in order to create more tolerant society.


I support this. Plaid Cymru regularly call for a voting age to be 16- not just at election times but every day talking to young peo-

ple


I believe young people need a much stronger voice in deciding what type of Wales they want. I support creation of a Youth Par-

liament.


No response given


JOHN REES-EVANS


Large corporations want an oversupply of labour to compress wages. UKIP want to see organic wage rises via

controlled immigration.


Overhaul our education system to inspire and encourage people from their youth. Achieve more holistic health management: less bu-

reaucracy, more compassion.


Pressure local government. Encourage more cohesion; arrange mentoring programmes that identify strengths and aspirations as early as

possible.


Get rid of one-size-fits-all mentality. Less focus on academia, more emphasis on life skills, motivation, encouragement; preparing young

for independence and employment on leaving education.


My concern is that I don't want educators to be tempted to impose their own political views on students, which I think would be the

inevitable result of this change.


I've mentored several young people; teaching them how to present themselves to employers throughout interactive CVs; and how to

setup small businesses.


A vote for me is a vote for the person voting: I've no interest in toeing any party line or a political career. I love my country and want to

serve it by ensuring electors get what they're asking for.

ROSS SAUNDERS


We support a 10/hour minimum wage for all ages. Scrap all zero hours contracts. Youth wages are at 1989 levels. Support trade union

action for a pay rise.


Stop the cuts to public services Inc: the NHS. Make the banks and big business pay, with a 50% tax on the 850 billion hoarded cash in

their accounts.


Call on Cardiff Council to scrap plans to close all but six youth centres and reinstate the 140 youth workers sacked in April.


There should be more about politics and how trade unions work. There should be less testing and more learning.


Yes. This government encourages 16-year olds to join the army and risk their life, but won't give them the vote.


I run Cardiff Against The Cuts, which helped organise the campaigns that saved youth centres and play centres recently. I'd scrap uni

fees.


None of the parties will stop cuts and make the rich pay for the recession. We need a new party to stand up for ordinary people to give

youth a future.


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ANTHONY SLAUGHTER


The Green Party would make the minimum wage a Living Wage of 10 an hour by 2020 for all.


We will make mental health a much higher priority with resources to match, and end discrimination and stigma associated with

mental health.


We will increase investment in youth services by 1.1bn, providing a full and inclusive youth service including youth clubs and coun-

cils.


Greens support a broad balanced and enriching curriculum, including both creative and vocational areas.


Yes, we would lower the voting age to sixteen.


I have attended many school meetings and spoken at Woodcraft Folk events and will continue to work with the Green group at the

University.


Green policies aim to create a fair sustainable world for future generations, and our increasing young membership reflects these

priorities.

Page 11

CADAN AP TOMOS


Tax cuts take minimum wage closer to living wage. We'll build on our 800 income

tax cut; no-one on minimum wage should pay any income tax.


Priority for Lib Dems; on front page of our manifesto. Ensure equality with physical health in law and boost investment to cut waiting

times


A local fight Lib Dem councillors opposed Labour Council's budget cuts. So much wasteful Council spending that could be used for

this.


Broaden it important life skills like citizenship, financial literacy need to be covered. Sex and relationships education needs overhaul.


Very strongly. Lib Dems the first party to make this policy. Combine it with better citizenship education to engage young people for

life.


I'm 21, so I know what it's like to be young in Cardiff. One of the reasons I'm in politics is to represent the voice of youth!


Lib Dems offer opportunity whatever your age/background. More apprenticeships and real jobs for young people. And a real young

voice! :)

Page 12

CCCARDIFFARDIFFARDIFF WWWESTESTEST

KEVIN BRENNAN


Labour will promote the living wage, with tax rebates for businesses who pay it within the first year of government.


Parity for mental health services - every person in Cardiff West receiving specialist services guaranteed right to a care and

treatment plan


Labour will secure a better deal for Wales which will support councils in funding vital youth services.


Labour government will champion the importance of a broad and balanced curriculum including creative education


Yes


I regularly visit schools and colleges across the country and in Cardiff West talking to young people about their concerns


A better plan for our future - policies for the values and hopes of young people from apprenticeships and housing to a tol-

erant open society


HELEN JONES


We support a 10/hour minimum wage for all ages. Scrap all zero hours contracts. Youth wages are at 1989 levels. Support

trade union action for a pay rise.


Stop the cuts to public services inc the NHS. Make the banks and big business pay, with a 50% tax on the 850 billion hoarded

cash in their accounts.


Call on Cardiff Council to scrap plans to close all but six youth centres and reinstate the 140 youth workers sacked in April.


There should be more about politics and how trade unions work. There should be less testing and more learning.


Yes. This government encourages 16-year olds to join the army and risk their life, but won't give them the vote.


I run Cardiff Against The Cuts, which helped organise the campaigns that saved youth centres and play centres recently. I'd

scrap uni fees.


None of the parties will stop cuts and make the rich pay for the recession. We need a new party to stand up for ordi-

nary people to give youth a future.

Page 13

NEIL MCEVOY


It should be implemented as soon as possible, without lesser rates 4the


More investment, education and a system where ill people can see qualified consultants quickly, thats impossible at mo-

ment.


Abolish council salaries over 100,000 (226,000 a year is highest package) & put the 1.6 million saved into the youth ser-

vice.


Subjects should also be more closely related to the reality of peoples lives and their future lives after school.


Yes


Tried to meet the Youth Council and was not allowed by officers! I liaise with youths in my Ward. Still available to meet

you!


End austerity, fund Wales equally with Scotland. Vote Plaid for Cardiff, For Wales: Our City, Our Country.

JAMES TAGHDISSIAN


Support a living wage. Raised minimum wage & will further. Encourage living wage

to be paid where possible.


MH has stigma that needs to go -my family & friends suffer depression so better funding & understanding.


There is no magic wand: I'd fight for fair share of budgets & encourage businesses to help "in-kind".


Teach "home economics": personal finance, cooking and sewing really are vital life skills.


I'm open to persuasion


If elected I would set up a "shadow your MP" scheme; would better use social media and visit youth groups & your council.


No Response given


Page 14

CCCARDIFFARDIFFARDIFF WWWESTESTEST 2010 G2010 G2010 GENERALENERALENERAL EEELECTIONLECTIONLECTION RESULTRESULTRESULT

Apologies:

Brian Morris UKIP Cardiff West

Non-responders:

Shaun Jenkins Alter Change Cardiff North

Ruth Osner Green Party Cardiff North

Anthony Raybould UKIP Cardiff Central

Nigel Howells Liberal Democrats Cardiff South & Penarth

Emma Warman Conservative Party Cardiff South & Penarth

Ken Barker Green Party Cardiff West

All four Cardiff Constituency General Election and By-Election infographics produced and owned by Candidate Hub

www.candidatehub.co.uk

Let CYC know your thoughts about the Let CYC know your thoughts about the

2015 General Election by tweeting 2015 General Election by tweeting

#CYCHustings#CYCHustings

cyc shoutout election special final

Documents

young people of cardiff

cardiff west

cardiff central

cardiff north

city of cardiff

cardiff constituencies

cardiff south penarth

voices of young people