Please note: There is a difference between disagreeing with a policy and having someone disagree with your existence. If you feel uncomfortable or threatened by someone’s views regarding your identity, please remember that you have the right to walk away. If you seek further support to navigate a difficult situation, reach out to Report & Support services.
Be respectful
When discussing topics you are passionate about, it can be tempting to speak more than you listen. By approaching political discussions with curiosity and an attitude toward learning, you can improve your listening skills and learn views different from your own. Listening to others’ views can be a valuable way to help you make an informed decision with your vote.
Be mindful that everyone has had different experiences which have informed their views. Aiming to understand one another’s opinions is a fantastic opportunity to learn more about one another!
Be constructive
When debating, it is important to find common ground. This could be a theme you are both passionate about (for example, health and wellbeing). Expanding your ideas and discussions from a theme is good practice as it keeps your debate focused and prevents it from becoming an argument. You will likely agree on some subjects and disagree on others, and that’s okay!
A good debate practice to follow is active listening. Active listening is a method which, when implemented, makes the speaker feel heard and understood.
Step 1: Listen attentively to the speaker.
Step 2: Pause and summarise what you understood them to say. For example, you could say, ‘I hear you, and I heard…’.
Step 3: They will agree or disagree with your interpretation and may expand on what they said for clarity.
Step 4: Acknowledge what they said again and include your own opinion. For example, ‘I understand where you are coming from. Personally, I…’.
Active listening helps you to feel heard and respected, and allows you to debate your views without room for misinterpretation.
Use evidence
When having a political discussion, using evidence and examples to support your argument is essential. This helps the listener understand your views and will steer your conversation productively.
Be mindful of the way different media sources tailor their messaging to cater their audience’s attitudes. It is a good practice to visit websites that check and analyse political news and statements. For example, you can visit the NUS channels to learn how the different party manifestos line up with student interests.
Searching for evidence to support your arguments on your social media feed may be tempting. However, it is important to remember that social media uses an algorithm which maps what posts you interact with and cultivates your feed around this. Since social media emphasises your cultivated opinions, it places you in an echo chamber. Be mindful to research further and fact-check what you see!
Why does voting matter?
Voting gives you the power to decide how the UK is run. The MPs you help elect will represent you and decide on important issues you care about, including the NHS, housing, education and the environment. It is essential to vote for a party which best reflects your views.
Students make up 10% of the UK voting population. However, in the 2019 General Election, more than 15 million people did not vote, meaning that younger voices were significantly underrepresented. If the majority of active voters in the UK are the older generation, parties develop their policies to cater to this group instead. With increased student voters, parties will feel pressured to create policies that benefit students.
Remember, you can spoil your ballot if you don’t feel like your views are represented by the parties running. This will highlight to parties that they must represent your views to win your vote!
“Students are consistently overlooked and negatively impacted in national politics- the cost of living, housing rights, employment opportunities, an unsuitable and unfair finance system, lack of support through the pandemic, neglect for international students, and inadequate mental health support are just a few examples of this.”
“We would like to see manifestos that address things that impact students such as the cost of living, housing rights, employment opportunities, the unsuitable and unfair students finance system, attitudes towards international students, and inadequate mental health support.” – Emily Tabern, Union Affairs & Communications Officer
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