Something to sign up for

As part of our series on the Labour leadership election, UNITElive spoke to National Union of Students vice president Shelly Asquith, who is also a proud Unite member, on why voting in this election is so important.

Asquith signed up to Unite several years ago as a student, after battling through various precarious, low-paying jobs that have come to dominate the economy, especially for young people.

“After I finished school, I had to take a year off and work before going to university because I simply couldn’t afford it,” she said.

“Before and during my time in university, I’d been working on one short-term, part-time contract after another with little job security – for example, making pizzas, or in recruitment.

“This is the world that young people live in – no job security, and a systematic denial of access to education and training for all but the most wealthy.”

Asquith explained why she’s signed up as an affiliate supporter to choose the next Labour leader.

Defining moment

“As a member of Unite, a union affiliated to Labour party, I’ve signed up to vote in the election because this is a big, defining moment in the Labour party’s future,” she said.

“After this year’s election defeat we must band together and make sure that it’s not the Tories in power next time.”

“Young people have been particularly hit hard by this Tory government,” she added. “The Welfare Bill, for example, will slash housing benefit for young people who already face so much insecurity. Maintenance grants for students on low-income have also been eliminated.

Asquith rejects the notion that young people aren’t concerned about politics.

“There’s this commonly held idea that young people aren’t involved in the political process,” she said. “The reality is, however, that young people are involved; they just aren’t necessarily party-political. This is mostly because party politics hasn’t offered anything that has inspired and encouraged young people to sign up for.

“This upcoming Labour leadership election, however, is different,” Asquith added. “Young people see that there are alternatives, that party politics might have something to offer them – the specific issues we as young people face are finally becoming a central part of the debate.

“I definitely encourage everyone who supports the Labour party to take part – for young people especially this is a chance to have a say in what our future will look like.”

Remember the last day to sign up to vote in the Labour leadership election is August 12. Here’s our step-by-step guide to becoming an affiliated supporter and have your say.