Moves to get young involved in region's politics hailed

Scarborough Council has announced it is sending out newly designed 18th birthday cards to all first-time voters in the area while York Council is urging youngsters to get involved in the city's youth parliament, with elections taking place later this month.

Robert Goodwill, Conservative MP for Scarborough and Whitby, has hailed the new initiatives, and with voting turn-out among young people traditionally low in North Yorkshire, he has urged more teenagers to get involved in politics.

"I hope these campaigns will

increase the turn-out and participation in political parties", he said. Whatever we can do to improve the turn-out in all elections has to be in the interests of democracy.

"Young people have been very active recently over the issue of tuition fees and the education maintenance allowance and it would be good to see that sort of activism translated into the upcoming local elections.

"In North Yorkshire a lot of the councillors are at the other end of the age scale and it would also be great to get some more young blood on the council."

The Scarborough birthday cards will be sent out along with a guide to voting to all young people included on the electoral register.

The competition to design the card was launched in senior schools and colleges in the district.

At the same time, staff from the electoral services department have been out canvassing students to ensure they are on the new electoral register.

Elections officer Sue Bedford said: "This contest really helps young people understand the processes that are involved in voting and democracy."

Elections for the York Youth Parliament will be held on January 26. All candidates will be required to write a statement and give a speech at a hustings event at the Castlegate centre at 5.15pm.

Young people will be available to vote for their preferred candidate and the top three winners will join the youth parliament and represent the city on the UK Youth Parliament. For more information contact Sarah Nicholson on 01904 552355.