Fewer than one in ten children think politicians can be trusted
01 March 2010
Children’s confidence in politicians is worryingly low, a new survey commissioned by The Children’s Society has revealed. Only nine percent of young people agreed that politicians could be trusted, whilst just four percent of children believed that they act in the interests of young people.
The poll, carried out by NFP Synergy amongst 1,006 11-25 year olds, found that only eight percent felt that politicians care about what young people think or listen to their views before taking decisions.
A mere fourteen percent believed that the new Government elected in the General Election would make a positive difference to their lives.
Fewer than 1 in 10 believed that the government cares about the area where the young person lives. However, on a more positive note, more than one in ten would like to change things by becoming a politician.
The findings come as The Children's Society’s Manifesto for A Good Childhood calls on all political parties to do more to recognise children as valued citizens and listen and respond to their concerns.
The children and young people surveyed set out what they think should be the next Government’s priorities:
· 84% believe that improving education for all children should be a priority.
· 82% believe that ending child poverty should be a priority
· 80% believe that not cutting services that help improve children’s lives should be a priority
· 71% believe that ensuring that children are not discriminated against because of their age should be a priority.
On a more light-hearted note, the poll asked who children would like to see elected as Prime Minister. Overwhelmingly they said that Stephen Fry, rather than a politician, would be the best occupant of Number 10. Fry attracted 30% of the votes, outstripping the 21% of young people who felt that one of the leaders of the political parties would be best*. Zero percent believed that either Tony Blair or Richard Branson would be the best person for the top job.
Sixteen percent felt that Simon Cowell was the best candidate, with girls (19%) more favourable towards the X-Factor impresario than boys (13%). More boys believed that one of the leaders of the political parties should be Prime Minister (24% compared to 18%)*.
Bob Reitemeier, Chief Executive of The Children's Society, commented: “The next Government clearly has a lot of work to do to restore young people’s confidence in politicians. We must all work to create a political system which is relevant and responsive to the interests of the generation who will ultimately be relied upon to carry it forward”.
*the questions were not split down into individual party leaders, but one choice – ‘one of the leaders of a political party’
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For more information, please contact Rafi Cooper, The Children's Society media team, tel: 020 7841 4422. Out of hours contact: 07810 796 508. Email: rafi.cooper@childsoc.org.uk.
Notes to Editors:The Children’s Society is a leading children’s charity committed to making childhood better for all children in the UK; www.childrenssociety.org.uk
1. The Manifesto for a Good Childhood calls on every political party to write these pledges into their manifestos. The commitments are:
· To put children’s well-being at the heart of UK public policy
· To prioritise the interests of children who face the greatest disadvantage
· To include children as valued citizens in reforms for democratic renewal
2. The survey was carried out by nfpSynergy’s Youth Engagement Monitor 9. Tenter Ground, London E1 7NH. Telephone: 0207 426 8864. Email: jonathan.baker@nfpsynergy.net. Research was conducted December 2009 in an online questionnaire with a sample of 1,006 members of the public aged 11-25.
