10/10/03 - Listening to tomorrow's voters - today

On Wednesday 15thOctober, Cumbria County Council Chairman, Joe Nicholson, will attend a Citizenship Class at William Howard School in Brampton at 11.30am as part of Local Democracy Week.  Councillor Nicholson will talk to a Year 8 Class about the role and the importance of being a Councillor, he will then join in a discussion with students about how they can get actively involved in issues that are important to them and listen to their view on the possibility of lowering the voting age from 18 to 16 and which method of voting would encourage them to participate.  

Local Democracy Week runs from Monday 13thOctober until Sunday 19thOctober.  Due to the falling interest in local politics and declining turnout for elections both nationally and locally, the Local Government Association are encouraging all Local Councils to take part in the Week to involve the young people of their own area in planning their services, the decision making process and help them develop an interest in politics.

Councillor Nicholson is looking forward to his visit. He says

“I am delighted to have this opportunity to talk to students about how young people can get involved in influencing local priorities.  Young people have an important and valuable role to play in our communities and we want to encourage more young people to become involved in the democratic process within their own area, after all they will be tomorrow’s community leaders.  We don’t want the young people of this area to feel that they do not have a say about what happens with issues that are important to them.  We want them to have ‘a voice’.  By going out and listening to what these young people have to say, will give us a better understanding of their needs and their visions for the future.”

Ellen Morthersdale, Head of the Citizenship Department says

“It is very difficult to engage young people in the political process when they do not understand how it is relevant to them. Councillor Nicholson’s visit allows our pupils to see the real side of local politics and will greatly increase their knowledge of the role they can play. It is only by stimulating involvement at a young age that “tomorrow’s community” will become reengaged in the democratic processes. It is important that the Council recognises the need to listen to the opinions of our young people in order for such reengagement to happen.”