'Young people deserve a say on their future'

THIS month, the Labour government confirmed its manifesto pledge to lower the voting age to 16 for all UK elections.

- Charlotte Atkins

It will be brought in before the next general election. I am fully behind it.

I knock on a lot of doors to speak to voters. I am shocked by the number of people in their 30s and older who say they have never voted in an election.

They are not interested in politics, believe all politicians are the same, or think they do not know enough about the issues.

In England, young people have to attend full-time education until they are 18.

That means that there is a real opportunity to explore political issues in depth and to discuss what the various parties stand for within a learning environment.

Well-resourced and unbiased political education in schools must be an important part of this decision to lower the voting age.

Politicians also have to engage with young people, use the media platforms they are already on, be authentic and respect young people's views.

With social media changing so fast, that is not easy. But it is the only way to combat the misinformation spewed out online. Nigel Farage, leader of Reform, is everywhere on social media.