A DAY promoting political literacy at Warrington’s Priestley College saw 250 students register to vote.
The college asked “Bite the Ballot” campaigners to visit and discuss the importance of politics. They brought electoral registration forms and encouraged the students to sign up to ensure their voice was heard in future
Senior tutor Mark Salmon said: “This is all part of active citizenship at the college. We run a series of activities promoting local democracy because we believe it is important to increase the political literacy of as many young people as possible.
“Only a few students had already registered and most didn’t realise they had to, which is a sign that there is not enough information out there for young people.”
According to Bite the Ballot, 40 per cent of those eligible to vote in the UK choose not to.
The grassroots campaign group is aiming to increase the number of young voters by making politics relevant. During their day at Priestley College more than 250 students registered to vote – double the number of any other college the group has visited.
Mr Salmon said: “They started with a debate about capital punishment and then asked the students whether the Olympic Games were good value for money.
“Then they were given £100 with which to run the country before being told their budget was being slashed by 30 per cent. They had to decide where they would make the cuts.”
Earlier this year speaker of the House of Commons John Bercow presented the Speaker’s School Council Award to Priestley College in recognition of six students’ efforts to promote politics among their peers.
It is Bite the Ballot’s goal is to re-brand British politics and ensure the voices of future generations are heard.
The campaigners are encouraging young people to be counted and not “grumble silently about decisions that are made on their behalf.”
Mr Salmon added: “The students really enjoyed the day because they were challenged and had to think for themselves. It is a great result that so many then chose to register and become a part of the political process.”
Pictured: Priestley students meet Bite the Ballot campaigners to discuss politics.
