Home Local News Major UK consultation for Lancashire’s young people has launched

Major UK consultation for Lancashire’s young people has launched

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A ballot that gives Lancashire young people the chance to have their say on what issues are discussed at a special session of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) at the House of Commons is now underway.

The ballot, called Make Your Mark, was launched on 12th August and will run until Wednesday 5 October.

Votes can be cast online and through ballot papers issued in schools and youth centres by young people aged between 11 and 18. The result will influence what topics are debated by the Youth Parliament at the session in the House of Commons on Friday 11 November 2016.

Emily Holt, one of Lancashire’s elected Members of the Youth Parliament from Rossendale, said: “Young people now have a great opportunity to input to government choices and decisions that will affect our lives.

“I think it is really important that all young people use their vote and say what really matters to them.

“Just by putting a cross in a box for the issues that are the most important to them, a young person is having an influence of local and government policy with a national campaign and year-long consideration by the Youth Select Committee.”

“The ballot is now open and I would urge young people to use their vote.”

Local Members of the Youth Parliament are working with schools, colleges, youth groups and voluntary groups in their districts to encourage young people to get involved.

There are ten topics on the Make Your Mark ballot paper for young people to choose from. The five most popular topics will be discussed by MYP’s in their House of Commons debate, chaired by John Bercow, speaker of the House of Commons and broadcast live on BBC Parliament.

Last year, the Make Your Mark ballot surveyed the opinions of over 37,000 young people in Lancashire. This was 5,000 more than in the previous year.

County Councillor Matthew Tomlinson, cabinet member for children, young people and schools, said: “Last year, young people in Lancashire posted more votes than anywhere else in the country, and I’m hoping for similar enthusiasm this time.

“This is an extremely effective way of young people making their voices loud enough to be heard.

“The ballot is now open, and I hope as many young people as possible take part.”

The five main issues of concern for Lancashire’s young people last year were mental health, tackling racism and discrimination, transport, the Curriculum for Life and the Living Wage.

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