Politically Charged: Horwath visit KO'd

Last week Ontario New Democrat Leader, Andrea Horwath, wanted to get together with students at the Out Back Shack for some beer and wings — but didn't show.

Horwath along with London NDP MP Irene Mathyssen were planning on talking with students at OBS for the simple reason of hearing what issues are vexing the younger generation of voters. Media relations manager, Shawn Lewis from Mathyssen's office, called it a scheduling casualty after previously cancelled appointments came back wanting to fit some time in.

There were a few students gathered at the back of the pub with some beers, talking politics with Lewis. The mis-scheduling did seem to be a legitimate problem in proof that Lewis stayed at the pub for a few hours. The new promise is Horwath plans on attending Fanshawe College again for the same type of thing except next time, federal party Leader Jack Layton will be in town.

Horwath thinks voter apathy and student voter disengagement is an issue she wants to work towards reversing. A no show at Fanshawe's pub won't help her cause.

The provincial NDP want to relive the glory days of the early 90s of at least sitting in government. Former provincial NDP premier and now Liberal royalty Bob Rae isn't there to grab power for the New Democrats; then lose it. Now that's Horwath's ambition. Horwath needs to win the youth vote over the governing Liberals and the opposition Tories or the NDP won't improve on their 11 seats in Queens Park

Making the promise to hear out students is all well and good, but the young voters in London and across the province need to see politicians making an effort for them or they won't be as inclined to head to the voting booth. Young voters may be less jaded or cynical towards politicians because they haven't experienced the years of failed promises or money scandals that older voters have. This makes it all the more important for political parties to reach out to young voters, make a good impression and ensure they are engaged. Horwath and her colleagues need to make it as easy for students to follow the political world if not for any other reason than to secure their own jobs.

Editorial opinions or comments expressed in this online edition of Interrobang newspaper reflect the views of the writer and are not those of the Interrobang or the Fanshawe Student Union. The Interrobang is published weekly by the Fanshawe Student Union at 1001 Fanshawe College Blvd., P.O. Box 7005, London, Ontario, N5Y 5R6 and distributed through the Fanshawe College community. Letters to the editor are welcome. All letters are subject to editing and should be emailed. All letters must be accompanied by contact information. Letters can also be submitted online by clicking here.
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