Ed Miliband is unstoppable. He might have started this election campaign as a man, but he’s ending it as a meme. Ever since he tentatively quivered “Hell yes” to Jeremy Paxman, Miliband’s slow march to cool has been impressive. This represents Miliband’s lift off. “Am I tough enough? Hell yes I’m tough enough” he replies, when asked whether he can lead this country. And he’s right, along with his status as 2015’s biggest meme, Ed Miliband has all it takes to become the next Prime Minister. With the support and backing of the #milifandom, he’s captured the public imagination, and that’s how you win elections.
Thousands of young people are voting for the first time, but aren’t sure of who to vote for. What is it Labour are doing to encourage young people to vote for them? The Labour party have outlined a number of policies, especially targeted at benefiting young people in the short and long term, to drive this country to a brighter future.
Labour has set new ambitions for the minimum wage. By 2019, the rate will rise to £8 an hour. Labour is determined to write the next chapter in the fight to end low pay. This continuing low pay and insecurity stops us succeeding as the current pay rate is holding back working people and holding back our country. We are currently restricting people who cannot buy what they want because they simply aren’t earning enough. Need we look further than the distribution of emergency food to 1.1 million people over the past year from food banks? This is an ever-increasing problem that needs to be stopped. The old idea that ‘as long as we look after the rich and powerful, we will all be ok’ is wrong. We need to realise that we live in a balanced society where everyone should be looked after in the same, equal manner.
Labour have promised to tackle spiralling student debt by cutting the tuition fee cap from £9,000 to £6,000 for all students, and providing additional grants for students from lower-income backgrounds. This would be a significant change from the current rate and something undergraduate students would welcome. On the other hand, the Conservatives have failed to set out any plans of their own regarding the tuition fees. And it is clear why. They refuse to rule out the fact that they will raise fees yet again. The area I live in was one of the worst affected in the whole of the UK by the recent rise; record numbers of people decided against going to university. Should this carry on, it would be no surprise if it applied to the whole of the UK.
University isn’t for everyone. Others like to take the route of a full time job or an apprenticeship, and Labour has that covered. Labour have proposed a new guarantee by which every school leaver who gets the grades would be able to gain a high-quality apprenticeship. These plans are a positive step in the right direction for those seeking for work opportunities after education.
The Tory promise to outlaw the use of exclusive zero-hours contracts is welcome but fails to remove the pay and job insecurity that characterise their use. Labour displays a more resilient approach by proposing that anyone working “regular hours for more than 12 weeks will have a right to a regular contract”. Zero hour contracts have spread like an epidemic across our economy. 34% of 16-24 year olds in employment are on a zero hour contract. Although they are seen to welcome flexibility, there has been evidence of abuse on employees through them. They need to be abolished.
Although it may seem daunting, we are all going to be looking to buy a house in the future. But what if there aren’t any homes? Labour has that covered. Ed Miliband has said Labour will start construction on 1 million new homes by 2020. Labour will ensure there is real priority for first-time buyers. It is simply too expensive for so many young people to buy a home today. Saving up for the deposit, paying the fees, and having enough left over for the stamp duty.
Labour is providing the promise that “Britain can be better”. They propose to build a stronger and better future for Britain. They want to create a Britain that people can trust. The Tories threatening promises are just early signs of the country collapsing into turmoil. How can we let this happen? David Cameron struggles to even remember the football team he supports let alone run the country. Labour are a party that can be trusted to provide a better future for all. Are they tough enough? Hell yes.