NUS are fully committed to tackling discrimination and inequality on the basis of sexuality, race, gender, and disability. We can’t be complacent, students are still facing barriers. So what are the main issues we need to think about going into the election? We take a closer look at what these issues are.
LGBT students
As we approach a general election and shakeup of Parliament, it is important to remember that lesbian, gay, bisexual and trans rights are by no means secure in the UK. Whether the issue is support for LGBT students who are estranged from their parents, discrimination in goods and services, adoption rights for gay couples and individuals, or discrimination at work, the next five years will be crucial to the consolidation of rights won in the recent past. Recent events have demonstrated that basic rights for LGBT people are still questioned by some politicians - so it is important to question your candidates on these issues and confirm their support for equality for the LGBT community.
Black students
Black people are not always engaged by national politics. A survey by MORI indicates that turnouts amongst Black and minority ethnic voters were as much as 10 per cent lower in the 2005 General Election as compared to the national average.
Yet the votes of Black people are hugely important if we are to achieve racial and social justice in the UK. This can start with making politics better representative of Black people: the outgoing Parliament did not reflect the ethnic diversity of the UK as a whole, with only fifteen Black MPs out of 646. Operation Black Vote calculates that there should be 58 Black MPs if Parliament reflected the population accurately.
This election will influence many issues that are hugely important to Black students, from issues of jobs and crime to immigration and community relations. The parties will offer a range of different ideas and they will only take Black students' views seriously if they know this will affect their chances of getting elected.
And, with the BNP having won seats in the European Parliament, they will look to gain MPs in constituencies such as Barking and Stoke Central. Black votes will be vital in ensuring that far-right candidates do not win seats in Westminster or in local councils – and that should be reason enough for anyone to vote.
Women
Women in the UK make up 52% of the population, but our voices and our issues are often marginalised. If we are to end discrimination against women, it is vital that to engage in the political process, vote, and challenge politicians on what they will do for women. Politicians would do well to listen to our concerns. Over the last four general elections, women’s votes have determined the outcome of the election. At the next general election, women can make a crucial difference again.
Today, as much as ever, we must continue to make our voices heard. Women are still massively under-represented in Parliament, and a decrease in women voters will mean that issues that we care about will be pushed down the political pecking order.
There are a range of issues that affect us because we are women. Some issues you might want to consider are:
- Violence against women. 1 in 4 women will be affected by domestic violence in their lifetime. Only 5% of all reported rapes lead to conviction. 2 women a week are killed by their partner. Which party will take concerted action to tackle the problem?
- Equal Pay. When we leave university, we will be paid on average 17% less than the men on our course. Which party is willing to take the necessary action to tackle the pay gap?
- Representation. Women make up less than 20% of MPs and less than 4% of the directors of the UK’s top 100 companies. Which party is committed to improving representation of women in positions of power?