With the general election just around the corner TenEighty decided to ask a handful of YouTubers to try out the new app, Verto, from Bite The Ballot.
Verto is designed to help users make up their minds as to which party to vote for this coming election. It asks simple questions that the user answers in the way that they feel represents them the best out of the given selection. Verto then assesses the user’s answers and concludes by indicating how well they align to each party.
The app is especially useful for those who are new to politics or those still unsure of the differences between the manifestos laid out by each of the parties. It’s also very, very easy (and can be used online or on a smart-phone/tablet).
We went on the hunt for several YouTubers who wanted to try out Verto and see if their results matched their predictions – find out their answers below.
Beckii Cruel
What do you think of your results? Are they a surprise or what you expected?
I knew I would align with the Greens and Lib Dems, but I didn’t expect to score so highly with the Labour Party!
Your most popular result was the Green Party, will you be voting for them at the General Election? If no, why?
I live on the Isle of Man, so we actually can’t vote in the General Election here! We vote in our own elections and have our own laws (and our voting age is 16).
However if I did live in the UK, I probably would vote for the Greens. I don’t agree with them on every policy, but they align with me for the most part.
What are the key issues that you hope the next UK Government will tackle, and why?
I really care about the laws being up to date with current technologies. We need to be a step ahead of the game when it comes to cyber bullying and abuse. A lot of what happens online is not prosecutable, when the equivalent in real life would be, and so clear and fair laws need to be put in place that are compatible with incidents that take place in the digital world both within the UK and across borders.
Why do you think young people are disillusioned or disinterested in politics?
When I heard the statistic about American elections – that the Party with the most money spent on their campaign has won, every time – I was disillusioned too.
And when you see photos of the MPs barren chamber when it comes to voting for many important issues compared to the incredibly full chamber for deciding on their own wages, it feels like a complete farce. It’s hard to have faith in the system when you see things like that.
Amelia Mandeville
What do you think of your results? Are they a surprise or what you expected?
I wasn’t that surprised to be honest. I thought Labour or Green Party would be the most popular so I wasn’t wrong there.
Your most popular result was the Green Party, will you be voting for them at the General Election? If no, why?
I think I will, but I’m not certain. I still need to have a bit more of a think. But I do really care about what the Green Party stands for and really hope they will make a difference. Such as fair economy, safe climate, free education and lots of others. It’s all pretty important to me.
What are the key issues that you hope the next UK Government will tackle, and why?
I really do think Education is a big one. For some people education is a valuable thing, and I think it shouldn’t be something that people should pay for. I mean the huge fees we have at the moment, stretch this divide between lower, middle and upper class.Giving people with wealthier backgrounds a huge advantage to their education, where education shouldn’t depend on how much money you have.
There shouldn’t be a price tag on it. This isn’t even a biased point, because I left education when I was 16 and went straight into work as it wasn’t for me. But for some people it’s so valuable and is key for their careers.
Why do you think young people are disillusioned or disinterested in politics?
I honestly don’t think we get taught enough about it, and we’re not really introduced into it at a young age. I never really got properly educated about it at school, politics was just a thing that I didn’t know much about. I mean it’s only recently that I’ve understood about it and the different parties. I’ve also realised how important it is. But a couple of years ago I was clueless.
I also think there is this idea that if you’re not old enough to vote, it doesn’t matter what you think. So young people don’t see any need to become interested in it. But considering they are the young voices of the future, their opinions are very important. Lastly I think some young people may find it slightly confusing. I did – it’s only recently that I’ve started understanding it.
Alex Bertie
What do you think of your results? Are they a surprise or what you expected?
Answering the questions I was desperately whispering ‘Not UKIP…Not UKIP’ like a Hogwarts first year so I was definitely happy with them being the smallest percentage of my result.
Your most popular result was the Green Party, will you be voting for them at the General Election? If no, why?
This is the first opportunity I’ve had to vote and it’s all quite overwhelming. I don’t know who I’m voting for yet if anyone, so I’d like to do my research.
What are the key issues that you hope the next UK Government will tackle, and why?
I have to speak for my people here when I say A) More LGBT education in schools and B) Somehow Fixing the NHS system for Trans people. Too many people I know have had problems with their GP’s being uneducated and that can be lethal to someone in desperate need, along with HUGE waiting lists to be given the right care at a Gender Identity Clinic. It’s a long shot, but I’ll put it out there.
Why do you think young people are disillusioned or disinterested in politics?
Personally, I’ve never really taken much of an interest in politics because it’s just stressful to listen to, with some more extremist views scaring me a little being within a minority group. Having left school 3 years ago, I wasn’t once taught about the various parties or what the differences were between them…instead I was taught how to call an employer regarding an interview. Honestly, it’s boring to young people. They’re more interested in Justin Bieber getting his hair cut.
Liam Dryden
What do you think of your results? Are they a surprise or what you expected?
I think my result were a slight surprise; I did expect to be primarily a Green voter but I thought it would be closer between them and the Lib Dems, following my voting decisions last election. I guess Lib Dems aren’t quite the same party anymore!
Your most popular result was the Green Party, will you be voting for them at the General Election? If no, why?
In an ideal world I would vote Green without question, but I still live in a staunchly Labour seat, so I probably ought to think a bit more tactically. That being said, following the Verto results, I feel slightly more comfortable aligning with Labour for this election.
What are the key issues that you hope the next UK Government will tackle, and why?
One issue I’ve been pretty vocal on is jobs, particularly employment in the youth bracket. I would like to see a more promising system for postgraduate employment and apprenticeships.
As a Scot living in London I’d also like to see fairer representation in the UK government for all parts of the union, especially after unfulfilled promises the coalition made to the Scottish government following last year’s Referendum.
Why do you think young people are disillusioned or disinterested in politics?
I think young people find it hard to identify with the ambiguous language and promises made by most politicians, especially when most of the groundwork is laid without them in mind. Our current government is doing everything to cover their own backs in the present, and doing very little to pave the way for a future generation; which sadly seems to breed more apathy in youth than an active desire for change.
Not sure of some of the terminology used in this article?
Verto explains everything, and Bite The Ballot has loads of information on each of the parties mentioned by these YouTubers (quick links to the parties: Labour, Conservative, Green, UKIP, Lib Dem, SNP.) Head to the Verto website to find out how you score!
Want to find out more about what YouTubers think regarding politics? Check out some of the following articles, including our in depth analysis of the Leaders Live debates which saw YouTubers meet four of the main party leaders, or our response to Ed Miliband collaborating with YouTubers and the mainstream media reaction.
- Leaders Live: What The YouTubers Thought
- YouTubers Are the Voice of Young Voters, So Why Aren’t You Listening?
- YouTubers Question Green Party Leader At #LeadersLive Debate
- YouTubers Question UKIP Leader At #LeadersLive
- YouTubers Question Labour Leader At #LeadersLive
- YouTubers Question Liberal Democrat Leader At #LeadersLive
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