Politics Personal Statement Example 14

In 2003, Tony Blair announced the invasion of Iraq to the nation, I watched on, struggling to understand how 'weapons of mass destruction', as the property of another country would have an impact on Britain. The events lead to a turning point in my attitudes towards politics as I wanted to become more involved and I took my stand against unnecessary war. My studies of government and politics has helped me realise my career ambitions of helping as many people as I can as a charity fundraiser through broadening my understanding of international conflicts. I have now learnt to acknowledge that politics directly affects billions of people and I feel that there is no more dominant or influential method of doing this than creating strategic policies. My A-level studies of British and American politics greatly broadened my knowledge of the political institutions and their power in society whilst my A2 sociology coursework is focused entirely into investigating the attitudes towards the gender gap of women in the UK parliament. I have recently become particularly intrigued with the changing attitudes and discrimination from white Americans towards their own country's black community during the civil rights movement of the 19th century in my history lessons and comparing the views to the current triumph of Barack Obama's 2008 election campaign.

I believe in doing what is right rather than what is easy. It has always been my moral philosophy where I have developed my personal stance against war and conflict. Edmund Burke's quotation 'All that is necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing' supports my view that people should speak out when they feel something is wrong. It is reason I joined Amnesty International this year and became particularly intrigued with the 2500 cardboard handprints pinned into parliament square in protest of the Iraq war by a group of school children. This highlighted to me that it does not matter whether you have an impact on the policies but rather the fact that you have spoken out against any form of injustice.

On a recent political conference visit to London, Tony Benn inspired me to become more involved in politics because he understood what I had already realised; that young people's interest and understanding of political affairs is slowly diminishing. I am currently undertaking ongoing voluntary office and campaign work every week with my local Labour MP, Ashok Kumar. He has entrusted me with the responsibilities of preparing questions for parliament and writing articles for editing giving me the skills to greatly increase my communication and teamwork skills alongside other colleagues at the MPs office. It has given me a great opportunity to extend my understanding of British politics.

Twice elected as a student representative and a senior prefect during secondary school, I have improved my diplomacy and communication skills managing to persuade my school to introduce recycling bins in every class room. My active role in the college's debating society has enabled my confidence to grow as I took part in a live parliamentary style debate over presumed organ donation and, as a registered organ donor and regularly giving blood, I felt very strongly about this subject. Holding down a part-time job during my studies has helped me to become financially independent of my parents and given me the chance to take part in charity fundraising activities such as a national 'duck race' and local non-uniform days within the company.

I am highly self-motivated as the first of four children to not only pass my GCSE's, but attend a sixth form college. I feel proud of my academic successes to date, however I am looking forward to the challenge of progressing into Higher Education. Armed with the personal experiences of hailing from a government determined 'low participation' council estate and witnessing lifestyles deemed unacceptable to other communities, I have realised that politics is, indeed, a sacred institution. It should be taken seriously by all. Yet, as the low turnout of the 2005 election (61%) shows, it is simply not the case in this country. It is my aim to become a professional charity fundraiser and feel that this politics course will help me achieve my goal.