Council hopeful aged 19 seeks the youth vote

POLITICIANS are often accused of not being able to grab the attention of the young.

But aged just 19 and with an ability to play bass guitar, Joseph Hodgson, known as Jo, may fare better as he sets out to become the youngest councillor in Yorkshire.

The sole contender for the Goole North ward in a byelection next month, Mr Hodgson looks set to walk into his seat unopposed.

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Many of the town councillors are closer in age to his father Alan. The teenager – who will be the youngest ever in the town council's history – says he wants to inject some youthful energy into the debating chamber.

The second-year history student at Leeds Metropolitan University, who lists Tony Benn among his political heroes, said: "I grew up with Tony Blair so he has a place in my heart but to be honest I think Gordon Brown is doing a good job.

"A lot of problems Labour have faced have been global as well. I think it's stupid to point the finger at Labour solely on the economy – I think on a lot of issues they have done a good job."

Jo, a member of the Labour Party for a year, may have another hidden weapon to attract those his age – music.

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Like Brigg and Goole MP Ian Cawsey, for whom he has been out door-knocking, Jo has a musical bent and played in an alternative rock band. Mr Cawsey, who also plays bass, is member of the world's only Parliamentary rock group, MP4.

Mr Cawsey said: "It's great to see Jo come forward. He's clearly a man with the X-factor with his musical background.

"People who are going to be community representatives have to get on with people and people in bands are like that – you go out and entertain. In my own experience it has been a very good background.

"Jo and a whole group of people of his age have become involved. It's amazing that this has happened in a town that is not particularly large."

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The branch chairman of the Brigg and Goole constituency Labour Party, Coun Pat O'Neil, said Jo would be a breath of fresh air: "We have been fortunate in the Labour Party this year in getting 20 new members under the age of 25, which is really good.

"The age of councillors of getting higher – look at me, I have a son aged 51. I hope it opens up more lively debate.

"He will be able to put an input in for young people's matters. Young people aren't that articulate when it comes to saying what they really want.

"Last time I played games it was hopscotch – you need someone who is switched onto young people and he is also quite politically knowledgeable."

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Being a student faced with coming out of university burdened with debt, not surprisingly Jo would like to see students given more financial help from the state. He is also interested in trying to make inroads into the negative perceptions about the influx of eastern Europeans into Goole.

Jo, who lives in Goole with his family, said: "My personal view is that people have been quite reactionary.

"Obviously something has changed very recently but on a national level it has been going on for a few years. People need to realise it's not just Goole where it is happening and a lot of them are doing jobs that wouldn't otherwise be done.

"A lot of it has been ill informed and a lot is hearsay."

According to the 2008 National Census of Local Authority Councillors are still predominantly white, male – and nearing retirement. In just over a decade between 1997 and 2008, the average age of councillors has increased from 55.4 years in 1997 to 58.8 years in 2008.

MIDDLE-AGED

FACE OF POLITICS

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The youngest British Prime Minister – although they didn't call it that in those days – was William Pitt, the Younger, who took charge of the country aged just 24.

However few have emulated him and politics is still the preserve of the middle-aged.

Although the candidacy age was lowered from 21 to 18 three years ago to encourage younger people to run for local councils, not many have come forward.

In fact, according to a recent study, councillors are actually getting older.

Notable exceptions include Jon-Paul Howarth from North East Lincolnshire who was only 18 when he was elected two years ago in the East Marsh ward.