Part of my own blog (nextballotbox.wordpress.com) involves interviewing many high profile MPs and political figures. I am fascinated to learn more about themselves and discover their views on how important it is that young people take an interest in politics. I have thoroughly enjoyed interviewing political figures and I hope to interview many more in the future. You can see all of my previous interviews on my blog.
It's not everyday you get the opportunity to interview a living legend and last month I had the privilege of asking questions to Billy Bragg, the singer-songwriter famous for his political-themed songs. Mr Bragg had sung "The Red Flag" on stage with Jeremy Corbyn after he was elected as leader of the Labour Party. I was very intrigued to learn Mr Bragg's thoughts on Corbyn becoming leader and how he became involved in left-wing politics. See the full interview below:
1)How important is it that young people take an interest in politics?
"Very important. This generation are looking likely to be the first since the war to grow up worse off than their parents. If they don't start telling us about the pressure they feel under, then someone else will speak for them, most likely Michael Gove."
2)Why did you decide to become involved in left-wing activism?
"The first political movement I was involved with was Rock Against Racism in 1978. A neo-nazi party, the National Front had come third in local elections in London and we were marching in opposition to their racist views."
3)What are your thoughts on Jeremy Corbyn becoming the new leader of The Labour Party?
"I'm very encouraged. The enthusiasm that swept him to victory has the hallmarks of a new movement that engages people in the process of achieving radical change."
4)Do you think Labour can win the next General Election with Jeremy Corbyn as leader?
"While Corbyn is leader of the Labour Party, we live in a world of exciting possibilities. If none of those possibilities are realized, we will only have ourselves to blame."
5)What would you say to young people who think politics is boring and irrelevant to their lives?
"I thought that in 1979. The election that year was the first in which I had the opportunity to vote and I didn't bother because I believed that all political parties were the same. Mrs Thatcher was elected and soon set about showing me how wrong I had been."
6)What has been the highlight of your activism so far?
"My highlight? The Red Wedge campaign of the late 1980s, when artists came together to fight against the Tories."
