How to get young people to vote | Rick Edwards | TEDxHousesofParliament

What does it say about our democracy when a young voter would prefer to watch Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows on TV rather than exercise their democratic right? Journalist and presenter Rick Edwards gives five solutions to get more young people to vote in this talk.
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[@Enforcer122]

Excellent talk. I'm 19 years old and really in to politics... The thing I have a problem with is this absolute lie we live in a democracy. We don't, we live in a totalitarian plutocracy that we have very little power over. I enjoy doing research and talking about politics but in the end of the day, I always feel politicians and the media have the power to make the majority of people vote for a certain party. I honestly can't remember the last time a prime minister came in and actually made my life easier in some way? I love the idea of online voting and VAAs, that has to be the way forward for a younger generation like me.

[@Walpurgis117]

"I honestly can't remember the last time a prime minister came in and actually made my life easier in some way?" You're 19, which means you only remember the last 2 Prime Ministers coming in.

[@spiegel9462]

Walpurgis117 hes not just talking about the prime ministers he voted for. he was alive before he voted, ya know.

[@Walpurgis117]

I Em A Wizerd lel I wasn't referring to PMs he voted for because he'd have been too young to have voted in any general election. If he's 19, he was born around 1995. Blair was elected in 1997. Would someone that age really remember when Blair 'came in'? I'm pretty sure at most he'd remember Brown and Cameron taking office. Even if we're talking about Blair's entire PMship (until 07), are kids below 12 really aware of how politicians are making their lives easier? If they are, do pre-pubescent kids also possess the critical faculties necessary to assess the functioning of the government? I find that most pre-pubescent kids have very similar political opinions to their parents (if they even have that level of political awareness).

[@ashen99]

Walpurgis117 Perhaps concentrate less on him, as an individual, and take what he said as the view of a 19 year old at the time of any election

[@conankay2452]

shut up nerd

[@ashen99]

I absolutely want my voice/vote to be heard, but attaching it to a 'best of a bad bunch' party is hardly effective. I'd love to see a 'None of the Above' option - I want my reason for not voting to be clearly understood. Great talk.

[@mouniaelyazidi3914]

Acer C iup

[@nunyadambidniss]

Try Anarchism ? :)

[@Broducts]

Thoughts on Bernie Sanders?

[@andrewrogerson1]

Excellent talk buddy. Especially like the idea of online voting. I think implementing these 5 steps would absolutely break the monopoly of the current top two. Only a good think, surely.

[@ianbrocklebank3258]

This may be the most informed articulate ted talk i have watched

[@sulibreaks]

Loved this talk!!

[@emilyroberts4864]

Mandatory voting works well in Australia, many people of all ages acknowledge that without it they probably wouldn't bother voting and its as easy as filling out a form if you don't want to vote ie for religious reasons

[@MizM3LANi3]

So true, great points

[@Gleizle]

“If voting made any difference they wouldn't let us do it.” ― Mark Twain

[@Choiceof3]

"There's a quote on the internet to support every viewpoint" - Mark Twain

[@Drexeh]

Phil N "Mark Twain" - Mark Twain

[@AlmostPerfectCrew]

" I'm Batman" - Mark Twain

[@alexandrawilliams9292]

***** Made me laugh more than it should haha

[@AlmostPerfectCrew]

Thank you!

[@Dave222802]

Great talk this! Very large issue and needs to be grasped better by this generation!

[@mikeash6098]

Definitely some good idea's. I'm 23 and I have got no intention of voting in the next general election. It's not because I don't care or I can't be bothered. I don't see the point in voting because it doesn't change anything. Last general election I voted Lib Dem because of their promises to not raise university tuition fees. What happened when the coalition formed? They completely rolled over and raised them to £9000 a year. They had already got the votes so it didn't matter to them. I think the "Non of the above" option is a must. That alone is enough to make me vote again. I think as long as there is a non of the above option then I agree that people can be fined for not voting. As for voting online, I think that's a no brainer.

[@koenkeep]

I think you're unfamiliar to coalition governments. If you are in a coalition, you can NEVER have it your way, all the way, all the time. And this is what happened. Coming from a coalition government country, the Netherlands, it's not unusual to not get what i want if my party of choice is in governmenet.

[@notanexpert3967]

Have your views changed or stayed the same?

[@S1ngham]

If you've seen Rick Edwards presenting the LeadersLive debate with Nigel Farage, you'll understand why I have little respect for him as political commentator /advocate. Having said that, this talk was interesting and did raise some good points.

[@HorseDoofus]

Wouldn't voting online at home leave people vulnerable to coercion from certain family members looking over their shoulder, making sure they voted in the 'correct' way? I know from past conversations with neighbours that this would certainly happen. I'd suggest that, ultimately, you can't beat the privacy of that voting booth.

[@Andy-hb3zp]

It should be one option

[@venelintodorov5229]

In Bulgaria the voting is compulsory and the "I don't support anyone" tick is there but this unfortunately doesn't result in a spare parliament because it doesn't win any seats even though it would be like second power if counted as a party vote.

[@JesusWantsU]

Younger people who don't vote do so because they're not sure. We DON'T want underinformed people of any age voting. Never push someone to make a big decision like voting.

[@jimmyboy95]

There is literally nothing big about scribbling on a piece of paper. Quit hyping up this puppet show like it's anything special.

[@RigbyHuxtable]

Inspiring. Life changing. Thought provoking.

[@jamesfleet5660]

A great video. Unfortunately though, I suspect that those in power actually like the fact that a large % of the electorate would rather watch Harry Potter than vote. It would be interesting to see who they would vote for though...........

[@smelliiee]

GO LOVELY RICK

[@theexpliotedforlife]

I value my right to vote and my right to choose between party 1 and party 2.

[@sacredgongs]

times change and the shift of focus, no longer will the government rely on the older voter

[@banehardly5396]

Good lad Rick, I had you down as just another T4 presenter.....I WAS WRONG

[@SpidermanInLondon]

Here, here! Young people must fight for a voice. You can guarantee not to be represented otherwise. Stand up and be counted!

[@andydermanis]

Hold on a second, Rick Edwards, responsible for 10 years worth of braindead television programming for the UK youth market is now concerned that we're not bothered about voting?

[@samlair3342]

Since American politics has become so irresponsibly partisan, it is probably wise to not allow either party to dominate. I, therefore, will split my ticket in the following manner: 1)Republican for upper legislative bodies 2)Democrat for lower legislative bodies 3)For Executive offices, whichever candidates are more able and willing to sustain bipartisanship, especially in regards to global warming and immigration control 4)For all other offices, whichever candidates best recognize both the danger of ‘global warming’ and of ‘open borders’. Note: In the event that a particular individual candidate that meets the above criteria is too reprehensible to vote for, then I’ll either support the other party’s candidate for that office, a third party candidate, or do a write in vote. To help narrow the field of choices, begin by first searching: ‘voter guide (?) county’ Note: Voting is only aspect of influencing governance. How we spend our money, what media selections we make, what organizations we support, etcetera are others. For example, I used to support several environmental groups; but, since they’ve all gone pro-immigration, I’ve dropped them. For many years, I’ve tried to avoid things made in China. I try not to click on any clickbait headlines. My primary news source is The Week magazine. Etcetera.

[@joewalter7523]

I've done some volunteer work at a local senior citizen center lately, and I couldn't help but noticed two things. 1. The old folk always, always, ALWAYS VOTE - till the day they die. 2. These old people not only have this HUGE community center, all paid for by taxpayer's money, but they are getting all sorts of goodies with it - free food, a nice concert every week, a swimming pool, a pool room, nursing assistance and so on. They also get free health care (along with FREE VIAGRA!!!), housing aid and retirement - again, all paid for by taxpayer money. Hmmm....maybe those two thing might have something to do with each other. Kind of like how young adults today, who never vote or take part in the system, are being thrown into lifelong college debt, unemployability and homelessness, all the while what little shit they have (like internet freedom) is being taken away. So listen here, CHILDREN - just because a system is not 100% perfect or honest doesn't mean that it has failed. It hasn't failed those old folks, now has it? They voted - to make sure that the system serves them right. And that's the way it's ALWAYS worked, FOREVER. And if you CHILDREN don't like it, then it's time you all GROW UP, BE ADULTS, AND TAKE PART IN THE SYSTEM! I DON'T CARE HOW IT STINKS!!! And the worst thing you can do is sitting there with your kiss-ass iphone, whining, not doing anything, and simply letting people who hate you be the the only ones voting - and the result is some right-wing demagog being elected, with him/her kissing the asses of the rich and elderly while taking away your shit. Want a revolution? Yeah, you try that. The cops will be happy to trade their rubber bullets and tear gas for machine guns and live ammo, and mow you down in the streets. And why? Not because the "pigs" are evil. Because their purpose is to defend a system that, to them, works perfectly fine for those who actually take part in it - as it was designed 240 years ago! Millennials need to grow the fuck up and get a clue. Those old folks at the senior center are not going to last forever. After they're gone, and you STILL don't vote, then that center will likely be closed down and demolished - leaving you CHILDREN with jack squat - AND RIGHTFULLY SO!!!

[@laurenmartin4494]

Those "children" you refer to, some did get up to vote. They voted for Lib Dem who promised that the tuition fees wouldn't be be increased... He got voted in (with Cameron but still in) and what happened? I'm now stuck with a 8500 pound a year debt plus everything else just because I want to help children by being a teacher...

[@Layla.17]

I really want us young ppl to vote now!

[@diohyuga6737]

Layla F I don’t

[@superbee691]

I think the main reason that young people along with the older generation don't vote, is that political lies are out of control. We are all fed-up with false promises. If politicians lived up to their promised word. Credibility would be restored, and voter turn out would increase.

[@lancemountain5357]

I loved this talk, I only didn't understand what people want from a politician when they say ''they don't speak my language'' Do they want a politician who speaks slange? You wouldn't take him serious would you?!

[@callumboscoe8685]

It’s a joke. The want the politician to be on the same page as them. Like they fully understand them they ain’t just doing it voted as most politicians lie.

[@xxxYouTunesxxx]

Young people don't vote because we don't want them to.

[@HarbleSnarf]

I agree with most of these points, but mandatory voting is an awful idea. If you don't want to go through the small effort to vote, it's probably best you're not voting in the first place.

[@albaghdaditawau]

Nick E aa

[@edga69]

Search for Tom Scott why electronic voting is still a bad idea. Science(ish) podcast is great though.

[@shwnu2141]

I immediately thought of that when he said that and I don't think it's fair to compare online bank to something I presume would be a lot more simple like sending a vote online

[@Tarantio1983]

There is a 'none of the above' option other than not voting, it's called 'the spoiled ballot' vote ... you tick more than 1 box and all candidates must gather in a room with an independent overseer to ensure that this is an actual spoiled ballot and not a mistaken vote for a party that was scrubbed out and recast, then you team the double tick with writing "You're all massive bellends, stop being shitty c*nts! hahahah ... peace out, Bitches!". this means they have to look at your 2 crossed boxes to determine if the ballot is truly spoiled or not and then read your message, the only reason you don't know of this is the politicians don't want you to know ... because if you did then you might do this and then they would have to read what you really thought of them! it's like jury nullification, nobody wants you to know that logically and ethically you can nullify such processes because you don't agree with them ... but you can, so do it! tick 2 boxes and write your true thoughts about the bastards, make them read it aloud in the whole process of counting the ballot!

[@AZTigerMMA]

Nice in theory....do we in fact vote. Are the machines truthful? The programmers have not been influenced in any way ? The people who read them are in fact not paid? And don't we, in a sense vote for the people who vote...and in voting, even if that was all fact. Are politicians made to do what they say? Can they lie on the trail get elected then do completely opposite? Who can hold them accountable ? What is their punishment besides a complaint letter?

[@ramdomperson5201]

AZTigerMMA I thinking your trying to fight a no win battle going down that line of thinking. Sounds like youi don't trust much of anyone! You got to at least have a little faith.

[@aleksandar5323]

Nick Borkowski Silence , noob. Your emotional weakness is making you ignore a fatal flaw in your logic to persue a minor perk therein. Voting is surrendering of power to a good-looking "elite" who then own you nothing in return. I'm sorry if the truth sounds to you like a bad line of thinking , good luck with stealing. P.S. Your weakness disguists me.

[@LittleMissHoney1000]

Probaby don't say final solution near the end... Other than that another good ted talk :)

[@alinatahir7337]

It’s called a “final solution” that’s why he said it at the end dingus

[@leonknife1649]

The vast majority of young people do not vote. Why? Because most of them do not belive that parlament can influence their day to day life. Politicians promise things but only before the campaign. Most of those promises are undelivered. As you mention they prefer to watch Gossip girl or Harry potter then to THINK and get involve in politics. If voting on line will be possible then the world will change. Nice speech by the way

[@Rapath]

Leon Knife Your derogatory ageist comments serve to make the problem you seem to be bothered about worse.

[@W81Researcher]

Online voting? Oh my how insane.

[@__t__s__]

Also, this VAA exists, votematch.org.uk/

[@christinakennedy6537]

As do lots of others! www.voteforpolicies.org.uk

[@user-np7px6hn2e]

none of the above needs to be there.

[@asslesschap182]

ill vote for local laws and regulations but elections are a sick joke

[@SunyiMad]

Fining those who don't vote is bad. Voting shouldn't be forced, it should be encouraged. If you want to encourage someone to vote, instead of punishing, reward them. Like say, first time voters get X dollars, or food stamps, anything. In my country you get like a useless paper that acknowledges that you're a first time voter. Why bother with the production cost of something nobody needs? Will you stare at the paper at home like "yeah, I fuckin' did it" as if it was your college diploma? Hang it on your wall?

[@DeepFrydTurd]

How to get young people to vote . Give them money lol

[@jimmyboy95]

No thanks, keep your money. No amount of money is going to make me ever cast a first-ever vote at 29. 😂

[@grandemontes]

I get mandatory voting but for teenagers it's going about all wrong. Make it mandatory for them to stay at the voting booth for an hour or so. They just don't have an idea of what to do. If we can educate them on the different candidates and parties they'll want to vote. They don't teach you this stuff at school why should they care about it.

[@danielfinkelstein4978]

Democracy is a fucking joke. Bring back AUTOCRACY

[@BryanVukich]

If you're someone that would rather watch Harry Potter than vote, it's probably best that you DON'T vote.

[@Whatishappy]

Sorry but that is ridiculous. I hope that is a joke.

[@dean9235]

He made me feel dizzy keep walking backward and forward.

[@TheSquidNinja]

I'm 200% down for everything he mentioned except the compulsory voting fine. You are in no way taking away anyone's vote by giving them the freedom not to. There is some validity in letting people opt out if they aren't confident in what they know, there's no sense in tipping the scale of major national decisions just throwing darts at a ballot. And if the rest of this plan is actually sound, voter ignorance should be minimal anyway.

[@benedictearlson9044]

This guy is on the telebox in the afternoons and so I stumbled across this talk and some stand-up he did at Edinburgh for T4. The arrogance of the man is astonishing and quite appalling! He strolls off both stages without a genuine 'thanks for listening to me' - it's all about Rick and the privileged you have had to be able to listen to him! Maybe this would appeal to young people today they are after-all the 'me' generation: deeply and fundamentally selfish, arrogant and lazy. That's why they don't vote Rick!

[@rickedwards5210]

So your problem is that I said 'thank you' and not 'thanks for listening to me'? Well done for engaging with the big issues, Derek!

[@timjoyalle318]

Do not allow them to be lazy. If they are too lazy to fill out a piece of paper they do not matter in the political difference.

[@jimmyboy95]

Because we saw a long time ago that there will be no political difference whether or not somebody fills out that paper bud. I'm not lazy because I won't engage in your little puppet show, I just have better more meaningful things to do.

[@MrZigan4ik]

Online voting is terrible idea btw

[@abramgrey2237]

He's gorgeous

[@notins]

That's what you see in him ??!!

[@madmaestro7585]

Do like me run your life like a 3 year and tear up your polling card it feels better than voting

[@madmaestro7585]

“3 year old “ edit

[@nunyadambidniss]

In America, If Enough People did THAT The ENTIRE System would grind to a halt :) We need a certain percentage of Sheeple to participate here for it to work. According to The Current Rules :p I Myself, WON'T VOTE ^_^

[@__t__s__]

I agree with Compulsory Voting. But the mechanism to get people to do it shouldn't be fear of a fine, because people will just vote for anybody just to avoid the fine.

[@nunyadambidniss]

What about Freedom Of Choice/Association ??? A person who doesn't Vote is sometimes trying to, At LEAST, Limit their association with People who don't ACTUALLY matter, ie;Politicians :) I'VE THE RIGHT TO NOT VOTE.

[@anthony342]

clown ...

[@aperson-ji4jx]

Having an online voting system is a flawed concept, because if young people (myself included who's not even eligible to vote yet) can't be bothered to leave the house to walk to a polling station, then they clearly don't deserve to vote. Online voting would be too easy, and young people would just vote based on whatever their favourite celebrities or friends were tweeting, paying no attention whatsoever to the party manifestos or any of the policies, just whatever Zoella tweeted about Jeremy Corbyn on election day and clicking a link in her bio.

[@chargerchick4]

What corporation payed this guy to spiel this propaganda????

[@donnaroberts9324]

Do people still vote? If they do , there rather silly.

[@thesithempire1348]

What does it say about our society that a presenter on a TED talk goes on stage in a white T-shirt? Are you that lazy that you can't even put together an outfit better than what you were wearing when you woke up from bed??

[@Vegan_Lion21]

I've never voted and never will