As a common youth, it is all too easy for me to fall into the trap of thinking that local elections do not matter. My university provides almost all of my institutional requirements, and the rest are fulfilled by my parents. I don’t pay council tax and I am far away enough from owning a house that housing issues appear to not affect me at all.  So why will I be voting on the 3rd of May? Why will I be voting for the Liberal Democrats, a party that appears to be constantly followed by a barely hidden snigger whenever mentioned?

On 3^rd May the people will go to the polls once again. I know what you are thinking, as Brenda from Bristol put it, “not another one!”. In just the last few years we have had two general elections and a referendum that has resulted in the largest constitutional change in modern British history. Nevertheless, the upcoming local elections are arguably the vote that will have the most impact on your day to day life. You get to decide who will run your local council, ensure bins get collected regularly, pot holes are fixed, trees trimmed, houses built and the public gardens watered.

Young people are less likely to vote in elections than the older generations. According to YouGov only 57% of first time voters (18 and 19 year olds) voted in the 2017 general election compared to 84% of voters of the age of 70. This youth apathy has been used by politicians to attack the youth, for example by trebling tuition fees, without fear of reprimand. A high youth turn out will force politicians to put young people’s interests first. 

Politicians must chose priorities. This is the nature of decision-making with limited resources, and no one disputes this. Each cause has its champions, be it wildlife conservation, accessible education, or productivity and prosperity. These champions are people who the public rely on; that the public depend on.  

This year, Israel celebrates its 70^th year of independence, where everyone who is somewhat touched by Israel’s culture, history, or religiosity can come together and share their own personal reflections and experiences with Israel.

Delegates voting at NUS National Conference 2018

Looking back to when I arrived in Glasgow, Conference was a little different to what I expected. From to delegates in chicken hats to an occupation of Conference floor, it was quite an experience- but definitely three days well spent.

A recent speed faithing event, Leeds J-Soc

I am Rubin Verebes, a media student in my first year at the University of Nottingham. After recently emigrating back to the UK for further education, I have re-engaged myself in the Jewish cultural and religious bubble that I was deprived of back in Hong Kong - my recent home for the past nine years. In the first weeks of university, I decided to ingratiate myself in Jewish life on campus. I went to Chabad during freshers week for Yom Kippur, Sukkot and Friday night dinner; the chaplain for a chat and coffee; and Jewish Society to meet all the new Jewish students on campus.

I wanted to do more though. I applied and successfully joined the committee of Nottingham J-Soc, fulfilling my role as Interfaith Officer. My role as Interfaith Officer challenges the students and committees of other faith societies within the Nottingham Students Union; to organise and set up multi-faith events, to create an inclusive environment on campus for Jews and other religious believers. This is vital for a community like the one of Nottingham campuses.

As President of UJS I was saddened and somewhat surprised to read the open letter recently published by nine of the talented and dedicated student leaders that I and my team have the honour to represent and work with, many of whom have submitted motions to UJS Conference, participated in UJS Israel trips, attended UJS Israel events, and are or have been involved in UJS’ representative structures.

Abdi visited Auschwitz-Birkenau with UJS and HET last week

My trip to Auschwitz taught me that the ones who remain silent in the presence of oppression are only assisting the oppressors.

Growing up on a council estate in Ealing, historic events like the Holocaust weren’t things discussed at school or around the dinner table. In fact, the first time I heard about the Holocaust was when I was 16 years old and even then it wasn’t something I understood or engaged with.

A photo taken by the author in Jerusalem

This evening I feel frustrated and weary of this. Last year, while I was president of the J-Soc, BDS disappeared twice. Now, we are doing this again.