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Stick together, stand together

Democracy means everyone has an equal say—or does it? In 2022, the IPPR report 'Closing the Gap' highlighted the severe underrepresentation of working-class people in Parliament—with 7% of MPs coming from working-class backgrounds. 

The doors to Parliament are closed, leaving working-class people peering out of the window at an inaccessible, dreary political landscape.

Stick Together, Stand Together is a documentary made by 18-year-old RECLAIM campaigner and activist Binish Syed Qureshi. 

 

The documentary takes the pulse of young people in politics, asking why young and working-class people are shut out from political spaces and how we can change this.

Binish interviews MPs, trade unionists, campaigners, researchers and youth workers to discuss shared hopes for a better political future.

 

Can we increase the amount of working-class people in Parliament? Is party politics always the answer? Follow the journey of a young, working-class activist as they consider how working-class people can mobilise and fight for a brighter future.

Watch the trailer

3 in 5

people in the UK decribe themselves as working-class.

67%

67% young people believe they will be worse off than their parents’ generation

4 in 5

people in Britain say politicians poorly understand their day-to-day lives.

meet the director: Binish syed qureshi

Hi, I'm Binish - a young activist and campaigner from Manchester. My passion for politics was deeply inspired by RECLAIM, whose bold activism resonated with my outgoing nature. Seeing the injustice and inequality around me fuelled my desire to participate in politics. I knew I couldn’t stand by without taking action to help create positive change.

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As a young person, I found support in my community, especially through grassroots organisations like RECLAIM, which allowed me to speak up and gave me the tools to navigate political spaces. Mentors and peers who shared similar experiences helped build my confidence, showing me that my voice mattered, even when I felt out of place.

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However, there are barriers too—like not feeling heard or taken seriously because of my age and coming from a working-class background, which meant access to political spaces often felt limited or intimidating. Many young working-class people face the same struggles: lack of resources, limited networks, and the constant feeling that politics is reserved for the privileged, not people like us.

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But I want to help change that, and I hope this film sparks conversation, thought, and change, just as much as it has for me and our team. This project has been a labour of love, and it wouldn’t have been possible without the incredible support, dedication, and collaboration of so many talented people.

 

If you're young and want to make a change, my advice would be to just do it. Don’t overthink it; go for it. Every opportunity you get, grab it with both of your hands and don't let go. Whether you like it or not can only be decided after you have given it a try. I hope this documentary inspires you as much as it does me.

 

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The Premiere

Stick Together, Stand Together premiered at Manchester Methodist Central Hall in October 2024. It featured a 30-minute screening, and a panel discussion with Binish and special guests, including Greater Manchester Mayor Andy Burnham.

What do young people think?

After the premiere we hosted roundtable discussions, where participants discussed how young people can get involved in politics. what needs to change and what gives them hope for the future. Here are their opinions:

"Parliamentary spaces are designed to intimidate working-class people. It's a political system that doesn’t work - the system is blocking you out. We need a different political system completely." - Andy Burnham, Greater Manchester Mayor

WATCH: Stick Together Stand Together 

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