Youngsters given a say

TEENAGERS in Leicestershire are being urged to make their voices heard by taking part in the country’s biggest ballot of young people.

The county council is encouraging young people aged 11 to 18 to choose which issues matter most to them by taking part in the annual Make your Mark campaign.

Members of Leicestershire’s Youth Parliament are hoping to see a repeat of the success of last year, when the county had its best-ever turnout, with 15,887 young people casting their vote.

Young people choose their top issues from a shortlist to decide what the UK Youth Parliament should debate on in the House of Commons, and what will be the focus for its campaign in 2019.

Ivan Ould, cabinet member for children and families at Leicestershire County Council, said: “This is a great opportunity for 11-to-18-year-olds to voice their opinions on the matters that affect them.

“In Leicestershire we saw our best ever Make Your Mark turnout last year showing the appetite among the young people of Leicestershire to have their voices heard, so we hope this year is even more successful.”

This year, topics on the shortlist are mental health, end period poverty, votes at 16 put an end to knife crime, curriculum for life, support for youth services, equal pay for equal work, tackling homelessness, public transport and welcome refugees

Kira Lewis, a member of the Procedures Group, which coordinates the UK Youth Parliament said: “Make Your Mark gives decision makers a direct insight into the priorities of young people living in the UK.”

Voting can be run up until the deadline of noon on October 10.

More information on the registered schools and colleges, as well as the chance to cast a vote, is available at:

ukyouthparliament.org.uk/makeyourmark/