Conservatives and Youth

lammiBC · March 20, 2005

I was watching the Conservative Convention earlier with great interest, however I have a question that I haven't been able to find an answer for. What were the 3 options A,B and C regarding campus clubs? It seemed to me that they varied in how much influence the youth would have within the party. I get the impression that the majority of Conservatives are trying to minimize the voice of young people in their party. I'm a 20 year old trying to decide which party to join. All parties are an option for me at this time but I can eliminate a party that wants to muzzle its youth. I'd like to hear some other opinions on this subject.

willy2 · March 20, 2005

This was a constitutional amendment and focused on the structure of a youth wing.

The Conservative Party currently has and will continue to have campus clubs.

Option A would have made a national council for youth, an annual convention and a seat on the national council.

Option B would have done similar with slightly different wording and not quite as comprehensive.

Option C which many youth delegates supported was the current system.

The youth organizers are still free to organize and this way they will not be limited by the not very good resolutions A and B. You can find the resolutions under the party on the party website.

As a party we have 4 MPs under 30 and many local organizers that are in there teens. At this convention and in the future each riding is guaranteed one youth delegate.

This was debated by many youth this weekend and it was fun to see the evolution from A to C by today.

This is a great party with very little barriers for involvement. I personally got involved very young and was encouraged by older members who have always valued my contribution.

lammiBC · March 20, 2005

Thanks willy2

I looked but I couldn't find anything on the party website about these resolutions. I was able to find an article on canada.com that said there is a debate between the alliance and PC factions about the creation of a youth wing.

I don't understand this. The LIberals have a strong youth wing, shouldn't the Conservatives want to follow suit? I was talking with a buddy of mine who's really into politics and he says that the oldtimers are afraid of the changes that younger members would want, and therefore will not want to give them a stronger voice in the party. Sounds about right to me. While I still don't really understand the choices A, B, and C, the motion they rejected afterwards (lowering the voting age within the party to 14) was evidence of this.

Earlier in the week Don Newman was pressing John Reynolds about the creation of a youth wing and he avoided the question and said pretty much what you did about having a young caucus. I know this and I also realize the opportunities for involvement, but creating a strong youth organization within the party sends the message to people my age that the Conservatives value their young members. I just don't see this now.

I've been a fairly middle-of-the road guy as far as politics go, and have been trying to decide which party to join. Seeing the strength of young Liberals within that party is a big plus for me, it shows that they value their young members and that even though the party is corrupt now, there is a strong group of young people to give it new life in the future. But with the conservatives, I see the old Alliance crew trying to keep as much control as they can.

What I'm really looking for in this thread is a debate about the pros and cons of youth having increased strength within the Conservative Party. I really appreciate any insight into this.

PS anyone have a link to more info on the youth wing issue that was voted on today?

kimmy · March 20, 2005

I'm a 20 year old trying to decide which party to join. All parties are an option for me at this time

If you just want to be in a party and you don't have any principles to help you choose, I think the Liberals are probably right for you.

-kimmy

willy · March 20, 2005

IamminBC,

Each riding could send 10 delegates. One Delegate had to be under 27. The riding I represented had 3 people that were considered youth. Two that were under 35 and a mix of ages above.

We have a strong youth presence in the actual party and the youth are the ones that turned down option A.

I saw many 20 something’s running and jumping after the vote.

At my table three seniors voted for option A.

Most older people are ready to buy in that the future is in the youth.

We will not follow the Liberals for good reason. They keep messing it up.

IMO, you should not choose a party because they create a group for you. You should choose a party because you can be part of the group and they represent your view most of the time.

The party policy will be compiled and released in the next couple of weeks and you can read it yourself. I should state that I don't speak for the party, I am only a member and that only takes $10.00.

As to a constitution garneting 14 years old as the age to start voting in all party votes local ridings up, IMO 16 is a better age. As it stands with that policy amendment being voted down the National Council has the discretion to set the age. In the last few party votes 14 has been the age they set.

Not party view just my own, at local nomination meetings members voting should be old enough to weigh the issues.

Shakeyhands · March 20, 2005

Come on... This is Stephen and Peter right?

Kimmy... that was a low blow.

lammiBC · March 20, 2005

I'm a 20 year old trying to decide which party to join. All parties are an option for me at this time

If you just want to be in a party and you don't have any principles to help you choose, I think the Liberals are probably right for you.

-kimmy

Its not like that at all, I'm just all over the place on different issues, making it difficult to choose a party that best represents my beliefs and interests. I was just hearing all kinds of stuff about the role that Conservatives wanted youth to have and came here to get it cleared up.

Thanks willy and willy2 for your replies, it's hard to find good media coverage of the Conservative convention so I can't really figure out whats going on. All they talk about is the new "rift" in the party which seems to be a bit of an exaggeration. No worries, the Conservatives are still an option for me.