Politics is on the nose for youngsters

silverlining48

I understand the term ‘ on the nose’ to mean precisely exactly correctly

That’s how we would use it here, I agree, hence my confusion (easily confused!)

My DGS2 is in his GCSE year (Y11) and is making choices about A Level courses for Sixth Form. He is giving the idea of studying Politics serious consideration which I’m pleased to hear. Our youngsters are fortunate to have such a range of subjects available to them nowadays.

One of my dds studied politics as part of her degree. She worked for a while for our local MP (LD) and was put under a lot of pressure to stand for the local council, since apparently they were very short of anyone who was both presentable and not the sort who writes letters in green or purple ink to their MP.

By then, however, dd had decided that a political career was not for her, and made it very clear that she wasn’t going to stand for the council.
They then said, ‘Well, how about your mum or dad?’

I understand the term ‘ on the nose’ to mean precisely exactly correctly

nanna8

On the nose = unpopular. Sorry, a bit of ‘local’ lingo. I suppose it comes from food that smells a bit off.

Thank you - a new one to me.

Allsorts

People can say and claim anything to drive home a point, whether true or not.

Not sure what point you're making.

On the nose = unpopular. Sorry, a bit of ‘local’ lingo. I suppose it comes from food that smells a bit off.

People can say and claim anything to drive home a point, whether true or not.

Oreo

growstuff

My son has a degree in Politics and Economics and an MSc in Public Policy. He has never wanted to be a politician.

Politics teaches all sorts of analytic skills and how groups of people are influenced and what motivates them, etc. Courses aren't training grounds for politicians, although his MSc course was flooded with students from the civil service of Korea and other Asian countries (sponsored by their governments).

Was that at Oxford University?

Not relevant and none of your business.

growstuff

My son has a degree in Politics and Economics and an MSc in Public Policy. He has never wanted to be a politician.

Politics teaches all sorts of analytic skills and how groups of people are influenced and what motivates them, etc. Courses aren't training grounds for politicians, although his MSc course was flooded with students from the civil service of Korea and other Asian countries (sponsored by their governments).

Was that at Oxford University?

You don't have to study Politics to seek or take up a career as a politicians, nor indeed does a Politics degree restrict your options post graduation.
My D has a Politics degree and has been a) a manager with M&S after completing their graduate management training programme, a director of a major financial services recruitment consultancy and a secondary and also an adult ed. maths teacher.
Doesn't prove or disprove anything does it?

I don't understand" on the nose" ' sorry

My son has a degree in Politics and Economics and an MSc in Public Policy. He has never wanted to be a politician.

Politics teaches all sorts of analytic skills and how groups of people are influenced and what motivates them, etc. Courses aren't training grounds for politicians, although his MSc course was flooded with students from the civil service of Korea and other Asian countries (sponsored by their governments).

My daughter studied Politics she is not a politician. She is a editor / journalist.

My daughter, just today, has expressed an interest in studying politics at A Level. She was inspired by a local female MP who got into politics having been frustrated working in the civil service for many years and being unable to help people the way she thought they should be helped. She wanted to help effect change, so she did what few of us do and stood for office. She’s really very passionate about her role. Whilst my daughter wishes to study politics, she doesn’t want to pursue it as a career.

Yes, I think you are right Wyllow3 they seem to concentrate on the celebrity style things rather than actual policies and ability. It must be a bit different in the UK if politics is still a popular subject. I think ,for us, it is good they have compulsory voting as I think the vast majority wouldn’t ,otherwise.

There's a very relevant article right here

www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/cley905dg20o

It suggests that although a lot of young people don't vote,

Very large numbers are concerned about social and political issues and active in them but dont see the connection with MP's*

I think a huge problem is undoubtedly our FPTP system which means that youth POV and passions on social issues doesnt allow for the sort of representation we could get with PR.

I dont think that its the actual politicians who are some how morally worse than previous generations, in the past so much not uncovered)

many were doing things like over spending on allowances and not called out, or had handouts from big business and so on, or sat in "safe" seats doing very little, (some have always been very engaged and caring for their constituents)

where do we find the praise and validation of those that are quietly getting on with the job and doing it well?

no

I think it's the political reporting particularly by the red tops that has changed, always looking to denigrate. "News" is becoming more "celeb" than actual social commentary and accurate information.

And yes, social media, full on character assassinations.

Whole rafts of websites that say they are all useless often with lies or serious inaccuracies, just assertions.

There is less serious discussion on issues, and more on personalities and flaws and shock horror revelations that turn out often to be relatively trivial to what went on in the past.

My son did a degree in Politics and International relations, he is 37 years old, still political active.
After his degree he started working in Cyber Security at the same time he became a Town Councillor when he was just 23 yrs old and then he became a District Councillor at 25 yrs. He was a councillor for 10 years, however his career was on the up so he had to stand down as a local Councillor.
He is now the Chairman of his local party, which he fits in around his career and his family.
He has now been through the vetting process to be a MP, the party are very keen to push him, we will see what happens as there is no such thing as a safe seat.

To return to the original post, I don’t think there’s any evidence to suggest that Politics degrees are becoming less popular in the UK, getting onto a degree course is still difficult, as there is a lot of competition for places. We’ve had a lot of recent appointments of young councillors, and 20 MPs under 30 got seats at the 2024 election, the youngest was only 22.

I have known a few 'career' politicians in my life and their lack of awareness of how the real world works was shocking at times.

Maybe they should learn their politics from the ground up and not have to hope for a 'safe' seat even if they do decided to stand.

How can you really know anything about politics until you have actually had to work in a warehouse or call centre, in the NHS or in education?

Studying politics - and history - is probably useful though!

Allira I agree entirely.
A life only in politics is not really a good preparation for a political career I feel.

keepingquiet

Those studying politics shouldn't go into politics as far as I'm concerned.

I prefer my politicians to have some life experience and have had to work in the real world for a living.

I agree with your second sentence but not altogether the first because an understanding of politics would help, I'd think.

However, going from PPE at university to becoming a researcher or even straight in as a Councillor and then MP without experience of life outside that world is not a good thing.

We have some very young new Councillors around the country at the moment, still 'wet behind the ears' as my Dad would have said.

Those studying politics shouldn't go into politics as far as I'm concerned.

I prefer my politicians to have some life experience and have had to work in the real world for a living.

My grandson (18) is studying politics and enjoying it.

Don't think he will "go into" politics though.