Exploring the impact of Ellie Chowns’ historic election win and her commitment to youth empowerment and community values.
Lola Cook interviewed new North Herefordshire MP Dr Ellie Chowns in Hereford.
By Lola Cook:
As part of a series of articles exploring the connection between young people and democracy, I interviewed Ellie Chowns MP to gauge her perspective on a range of issues affecting young people.
In July’s general election, Ellie overturned Bill Wiggin’s 25,000 majority in a constituency that has been Tory since 1906. Being one of only four Green MPs in the UK, Ellie’s win is of huge significance. National polls did not predict this result.
When I met Ellie she told me she had been an activist all her life and her introduction to a career in politics was born out of frustration.
With figures such as Farage dragging politics in “the wrong direction,” she questioned how we can all work to steer it back the right way.
She said: “Our political system makes it so hard for Greens to break through.” But her win demonstrates that “things don’t have to be stuck; things can change”.
At the core of Ellie’s sentiment is an insistence on holding people and institutions to account.
In my opinion there is bravery in placing your head above the parapet for the sake of change makes and Ellie’s decision to do that is why she is popular among young people.
In her own words, “Being proud of what your values are gives other people hope and encouragement.”
Throughout her election campaign, Ellie was supported by hundreds of volunteers and an “immense amount of energy.”
A particularly notable aspect of her campaign was her consistent and successful use of social media.
By sharing extensive local work, engaging with the community, and fighting for her cause, she built a strong online presence.
Ellie said that her online engagement wasn’t directed solely at young people but appreciates how much more accessible it makes her to younger audiences.
Compared to competing candidate and former north Herefordshire MP Bill Wiggin, who created an Instagram account a week before the election, Ellie recognises the necessity of online engagement.
In our discussion, I asked Ellie if she has concerns about ‘brain drain’ in her constituency.
She expressed “mixed feelings” on the matter, acknowledging that many young people leave their rural towns for the opportunities and lifestyle offered in larger cities.
It’s unrealistic to expect North Herefordshire to provide similar opportunities to places like Bristol, Manchester, and Birmingham.
What Ellie is passionate about is that when these young people reach an age when they want to settle down, they choose to return to North Herefordshire.
Furthermore, she wants to change the narrative from only “How can I progress my career?” to “Am I ensured a brilliant quality of life?”
Both the Labour and Conservative parties are guilty of using GDP (a measure of a country’s economic size and health) as the primary determinant of prosperity and success.
She argues that the criteria generating this result do not adequately reflect the surroundings and experiences that influence people’s prosperity and happiness.
She noted that Herefordians have a distinct pride and appreciation for their roots, reflecting the excellent quality of life available in her constituency.
This year one of the biggest issues troubling young people I know was the rise of far-right domestic terrorism in the country. Following a mass stabbing in Southport in late July, violent responses erupted, fuelled by hateful misinformation about the attacker’s religious beliefs.
The riots horrified the nation. I asked Ellie what her message is for young people of colour in light of these attacks.
Her message was one of love and unity, stating simply that the violence we’ve seen “does not represent us.”
Reaching out to the Hereford Islamic Society, Ellie shared her dismay over the hateful behaviour targeted at Muslims, offering her support in any way she could. Addressing the broader reasons for why these riots escalated, Ellie holds the Conservative Party accountable for “stoking so much fire with regard to immigration.”
The demonisation of asylum seekers, fueled by misinformation from right-wing politicians and social media, has led to an outpouring of intolerance towards anyone who is non-white. Ellie emphasised the importance of reflecting on why we are so welcoming to Ukrainians fleeing war while showing less kindness to refugees from Pakistan, Syria, Afghanistan, and other countries.
As a young person myself, I have often felt that my hopes for accountable, understanding, and genuine MPs were somewhat fantastical.
Considering that Ellie’s constituency had been Tory since 1906, her election has sparked a sense of rebirth and regeneration among many young people.
Her humility in admitting she doesn’t know everything, her genuine care and sensitivity towards young people, and her empathy for her constituents’ needs and environment have instilled a communal sense of self-belief.
My hope for the future is that MPs of all parties engage with politics with the same bravery, honesty, and righteousness that Ellie Chowns MP radiates.
Society owes a lot to young people, and if our MPs respect this, we are on the path to a brighter future.
O.V. is supported by Esmée Fairbairn Foundation. It is a youth listening and empowerment project from Rural Media Charity. Democracy is one of the project’s themes for 2025.
Source: https://pointofviewrural.com/blog-updates/elliechowns-mp
