Make Me Prime Minister - interview with Alice
Category: Press Pack ArticleALICE
Age: 20
Occupation: Student
Lives: London
Political leanings – “Socially very conservative but feels the current Conservative Party often prioritises profit and big business over the people.”
Big Idea – To abolish all green taxes and levies and promote ‘Trees Not Taxes’ — creating
more green spaces in cities. Alice advocates for an end to the Carbon net-zero agenda to
reduce the skyrocketing prices of fuel and energy bills to help the poorest and most vulnerable British households.
How would you describe yourself in three words?
A friend told me a while ago that I was joyful, so I’d choose joyful, hard-working and compassionate.
Why are you interested in politics?
It’s ultimately rooted in a sense of justice. Having watched the world of politics progress in the last five years, since I became interested in it, I’ve often felt that the people of this country and their desires are often misrepresented by politicians. I think a lot of people feel that their voices are not being heard by our political class. It’s inspired me to hopefully, one day, create a political world where people feel represented, with their political concerns heard.
How would you describe your political leaning? Do you identify with a particular party?
I’m definitely socially very conservative, but I think the current Conservative Party often prioritises profit and big business and multinational corporations over the people. I’m definitely pro-small-business. The Labour Party has had some very, very good politicians, for example Tony Benn, who I found particularly inspiring, but I also feel as though the current Labour Party really doesn’t represent the working class. Like the Conservatives, I see them as looking after an elite class.
Who is your political hero?
I’ve had quite a few over the years, but at the moment I really like Tulsi Gabbard, who ran for the Democratic Presidential nomination in the 2020 primaries. I find her very empowering, and someone I look up to a lot. She’s also socially conservative, which is great to identify with, because often female leaders don’t really stand up for core family values.
What about your political villain?
Where to begin? I think quite a few of our politicians at the moment are a little bit problematic. There’s no particular person I’d call out, I just think there’s a vacuum of true leadership and true passion for serving communities. You can see that in the US with Biden and here with Boris. I feel as though none of these politicians are giving much hope to the people, and there’s a lot of apathy regarding politics, because for so long communities have been neglected in favour of big business.
Your faith plays a big part in your life. Has that shaped your political beliefs?
Yes, absolutely. I was always quite conservative-leaning, in the sense that I felt strongly about protecting the family as the most fundamental basic unit of society, but I think being Catholic has obviously meant that has become a lot more important to me. My faith places a real emphasis on family values, and the importance of having a strong, stable family for a better society, a safer society, and a society where children are ultimately cared for.
What would your strengths be in the role of Prime Minister?
I definitely see myself representing the more ordinary Briton. I’m just a regular Brit who cares a lot about what most other people care about, which is hopefully one day being able to own my own home, having a family, making sure our environment is preserved, issues that have obviously affected my generation a lot. And I would place a lot of emphasis on community. I feel that there’s been a lot of centralisation of authority, so our politicians are amassing more and more power and increasing taxes. Where is this money going? We don’t have much accountability over our politicians. So accountability is something that is very important to me. Britain has always been seen as one of the least corrupt nations in the world, but I think the pandemic showed that there’s still a lot of nepotism and corruption, so I’d like to see more transparency in politics.
What about your weaknesses?
I think if my sister disagreed with a policy, I’d probably be inclined to second-guess myself. She plays a very important part in my life – she is my best friend. So I would say that her opinion carries a lot of weight – I’m not sure if that’s a good thing or a bad thing.
If you were PM what is the first law you would pass?
I think I’d first want to lower taxes. I think that is honestly the most pressing concern for the average British family. Especially as we’ve recently seen a rise in taxation, with green levies being imposed and trying to pay back the whole coronavirus expenses.
What do you see as the other key issues you would need to tackle as incoming PM?
I’d say education – I’d say there’s real scope for reform, in terms of the way our country has built its education. Ofsted, for example, is a really important regulatory organisation, however, its remit, influence and power has developed far beyond its original charter of 1992. I would seek to make it more accountable.
According to Theresa May, the naughtiest thing she ever did was run through a field of wheat. What is the naughtiest thing you have ever done?
It’s too naughty to tell. I got up to a lot with my sister when we were young. We were terrible. Two little rats!
What specific aspects of the show are you looking forward to, and what are you nervous about?
I think it’s the same answer for both: The debates. I really love debating, I think it’s such a powerful tool, but I also think that it makes me quite nervous to be in that situation. But I’m really excited about it, I love debating.
You’ve appeared a few times on GB News, haven’t you?
Yes, I have.
So, in some senses, you’re something of a seasoned TV performer.
No! Not at all. I wish. But I do enjoy talking about current affairs and politics and debating and doing my best to hold politicians accountable through the media.
As a young person who was in favour of Brexit, and who embraces socially conservative ideas, that’s not necessarily in-keeping with much of your generation. Is that difficult, in terms of the reaction you get from your peers?
I think, with the whole Brexit vote, at first, when I came out as pro-Brexit, in London especially a lot of my peers were quite astonished, and assumed I was uneducated and didn’t know enough. But I also think my generation has a lot of respect for different opinions, and I think people understand that diversity of experience leads to diversity of opinions. So coming from a mixed heritage background, people couldn’t understand that I’d be in favour of Brexit because the narrative around Brexit painted it as some kind of updated jingoistic nationalism. That was not the case for me at all, and my issues were completely with the centralisation of authority by the European Union. Ultimately, I think I am slightly odd for my generation, but I feel as though a lot of people respect someone who will speak up for what they believe in.
You’ve also said that the most important job a woman can do is be a mother. So if you were PM, would you knock that on the head if you had a family?
I don’t think those two things necessarily oppose each other, in the sense that I think a woman can work. But I think the priority, for both men and women, should be on nurturing their children if they have any. That’s how society functions best – and studies have proved this as well – that children who are neglected in their youth grow up to have behavioural and psychological problems and go on to commit crime. Society generally falls apart when the family unit falls apart. Being a mother is such an incredible role – often it’s seen as being inferior to a career in this day and age, which I think is really unfair. But I think my vocation lies in the political sphere, that’s what I’m passionate about, that’s what ignites me, so I would hope to be able to do both.
If the chance arose in real life, would you consider standing for parliament?
Oh, for sure! But it’s also difficult because I would never want to compromise my beliefs and my principles. I don’t know which party I would necessarily stand for; I don’t know that any of them represent my values accurately.
How do you feel about working with Sayeeda Warsi and Alastair Campbell?
So excited! I know that I have political differences with Alastair on Brexit, but I feel that actually there’s so much more to focus on with what we have in common, which is a passion for politics, and he’s such an experienced political figure. And the same with Sayeeda as well, who is obviously really inspiring as a woman in politics. So I’m extremely excited to work with them.
As you are about to embark on this experience, how are you feeling?
Very excited, for sure. A little bit nervous, but I’m really interested to see how it’s going to all come together. And I’m looking forward to meeting the other candidates, and to see how the collaboration takes place.
ENDS