MP Julia Goldsworthy ™/ Text / Nicholas Asamoah / Pic / Patrick Owalbi
25th January 2008

I have been sent by The Cut to interview Julia Goldsworthy who, at just 29, is Britain’s youngest  member of Parliament. I want to find out why someone so young decided to enter politics and what message she has for other young aspiring politicians. The first part of my mission is successful and I enter the chambers of the House of Parliament, eyes gleaming with fascination at all I see before me. It feels like I am on a mission from the FBI, going through the security procedures that include a  gorous search.

Inside it feels like a mansion. Such history. As I wait nervously the minute hand on the clock seems to pass with each blink of my eyes, my heart beating faster. Suddenly she arrives and after a warm greeting off I go to search for answers: first stop the dining rooms. Surrounded by MPs, including former Liberal Democrat leader Charles Kennedy, the next stage of mission is about to begin.

On Her Role In Parliment
I am a Liberal democrat member of parliament for a constituency in Cornwall. I have been an MP since 2005 and I have just been given the job of speaking for the Liberal Democrats on communities and local government.

According to reports, you are seen as one of the rising stars within the Liberal Democrat Party. Do you see yourself becoming the  leader of the Lib Dems?

Julia: (laughs) I only have only just been elected! This is my first time in Parliament and the main thing I want to do is to the best job that I can for the people that voted me in. Who knows where it will take me.

How do you propose to reach out to the young people who have a negative image of politics?

Julia: Well, when I was at school and when I was at university, I thought politics was really boring as well. I didn’t join a political party and I wasn’t involved in politics at all. It is only after I finished my studies I was trying to work out what kind of job I wanted to do. I thought I’d quite like to be a researcher and I looked into TV research but I wanted todo it on issues I really cared about. So it was that point that I thought that maybe I could be a researcher for an MP in the area where I lived. I was lucky enough to get the job and that really opened my eyes to the variety of work that MPs do. They will spend time raising issues like weapon trafficking in Parliament but they will also raise issues that individuals might have a real concern with, really personal individual things.

Everyday is completely different and that’s what makes it really exciting. I think not enough people see what it involves up close. Parliament needs to look more like the country it represents. So I think you need more young people in Parliament, more women in Parliament, more people with a whole variety of religion and background so actually people can see something that they can identify themselves with. At the moment it’s mainly white men. Even the language that we use is really hard to understand. I spent like three years trying to work it out and even now I spend time to think, “what is going on, I do not understand.” (laughs)

Do you think the party leader will be successful in the coming elections?

Julia: I think Nick Clegg is a really good leader because I think he understands that too many politicians talk to each other about themselves in a specific language, which is difficult for other people to understand. I think Nick understands that we need to reach out to people who are not interested in politics, who might not vote because so much of the political debateis about focusing on the small number of people who might change their vote. I think it’s no wonder why people are not interested if we are not talking to them.

2008 has just arrived. What are your plans for this year?

Julia: Well, I have just been promoted to a new job as a spokesperson for communities and local government, so my biggest job this year is to try and get my head around the brief to do the best that I can. Who knows what this year is going to bring - we have already seen a lot of economic turmoil and local problems - you never know what is around the corner. A week is a long time in politics, that’s what people say (laughs).

Will you be doing anything to enhance your reputation?

Julia: I just think the best thing to enhance your reputation is to try and do a good job.

Bashy Interview
The Cool Kids
Lady Lykes
Grimes New School
Rowdy Superstar Interview
The Sound Of Reason
Slash Interview
Hoxton Vs Hampstead Fashion
Young Designers
Lucinda Chua Interview
Will Kay Interview
The Brothers Size
Chris Lambert
Duane Henry
Drug Trafficking Feature
Does My Bum Look Big in This
Life After Prison
Whats Upsetting Our Children
MP Julia Goldsworthy
Autechre Live In London

Hardcore Is More Than Music
Media Box
Paddington Development Trust
The Cut On Myspace