I see things in a clear and
simple way when it comes to democracy; the more people involved, the greater the
chance of success. And that comes from a chap who wasn't even registered to vote
himself until the age of 27. But in the little time I have been working on this
campaign, it’s become clear that some
things just make sense.
In what feels like a
lifetime but in reality has only been three years, I have managed to put this
campaign ahead of earning money, allowed it to come between some pretty good
relationships and been asked on numerous occasions “when are you going to get a
real job?” In fact my acting coach will often say I “have to forget this
bullshit and get to Hollywood" (his exact words!) but, he, like others
close to me, just don’t get what I do and the reasons why I do it. I guess
certain things choose you rather than you choose them and your resilience to
carry on hurdle after hurdle makes you realise you’re doing the right thing –
because it feels right.
There’s a Mumford and Sons
tune that I really relate to called ‘Lovers Eyes’ and one line in particular “Do not ask the price I pay, I must live
with my quiet rage, tame the ghosts in my head, they run wild and wish me dead”.
I think sometimes my biggest hurdles are the ones in my own head, the times
I allow doubt to creep in and insecurities to take over. It’s always obvious to
those who know me well, as I am quiet, and that’s just not normal for me. I
have always been someone who loves to make others laugh, to be centre of
attention, and that has meant I don’t get to be quiet without someone asking me
what’s wrong.
The thing is, I am committed
to this for a reason. The belief that what could be achieved is far greater than
any personal gain I could imagine - the chance to be a part of something that
no one has achieved before. Something that could change the way people view and
engage with politics forever in this country. All over the world people are
sacrificing themselves, their health, their wellbeing, their way of life for
the rights we take for granted. So giving up in Britain is not an option.
I regard myself as a very
fortunate 30-year-old man (alright then, boy). I am someone who has travelled
round the world, seen and experienced some amazing things and met many people I
look up to and believe in. I’m able to let those memories provide me with the
strength to carry on when times get tough.
I will go back to acting,
George Clooney style, (i.e. make it when I'm 38). That gives me a window of eight years to find someone to have a family with, get a season ticket
for Chelsea and acquire a reasonable level of disposable income. Now as far as lists go that’s not bad
at all, perfectly achievable. But creating a campaign, seeing it grow to a
point where it becomes a living entity in the minds of thousands of young
people around the country, that’s something you can’t buy.
The empowerment of young
people is the greatest thing we could achieve within society, allowing them the
chance to shape the communities they want to grow up in and we help install the
core beliefs that politics is about ensuring the generations that follow ours
don’t have to experience the same struggles. For that to be achieved we need to
create safe environments in class rooms, with great teachers that can facilitate difficult
conversations around topics such as racism, relationships, mental heath and
politics, to name a few.
I often say to people that a
country should not be measured or ranked by the amount of money it makes, but
by the wellbeing and happiness of its citizens. I have seen it with my own eyes within
countries that have nothing like what we have here, but its people are happy.
Are you?
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