Posted: Wednesday 3rd May 2017
Young people need to ensure their voices are heard in local elections, members of the Youth Parliament from Hertfordshire have told the county council’s Youth Connexions.
As Hertfordshire residents prepare to vote in the county council elections on Thursday 4 May, young people aged 18-25 have an unmissable opportunity to influence decisions that will have a lasting impact on their local community.
The members of the Youth Parliament from Hertfordshire shared their thoughts on video about why they got involved in local democracy and why other young people should.
They explained that the views of young people remain under represented in politics and there are many ways for young people to get involved so they can influence decisions on issues that they feel really passionate about.
Many young people also do not realise how many decisions affecting vitally important services including health, education and transport are made at a local level, they added.
Hertfordshire County Council’s Youth Connexions runs youth councils to help young people become politically aware and get involved in their local community from an early age. Youth councillors are aged 11 to 19 (up to 25 if they have a learning difficulty or disability) and meet regularly to discuss the problems young people face and how they can help them.
They come up with ideas on how to talk to other young people, listen to what they have to say and put together a plan of action to help.
All groups are supported by a Youth Connexions youth worker and/or a representative from the local council.
If you’re a registered voter aged 18 and above, don’t miss out on the opportunity to have your say.
For the latest election updates and live results service throughout Thursday night and Friday morning go to http://www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/electionlive or follow us on Twitter @hertscc to join in the conversation on election night as the results roll in.
An email will be sent out to confirm all the results around midday on Friday 5 May via Update me. You can sign up at www.hertfordshire.gov.uk/updateme.
To find out more visit Hertfordshire County Council’s Youth Connexion’s youth councils website.
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