Melksham’s young people can text their vote for youth elections

Young people are being urged to vote and have their say on key issues for Wiltshire and the south west by taking part in elections this week.

14 candidates from across Wiltshire are standing for nomination to the Wiltshire Assembly of Youth (WAY) and the UK Youth Parliament Elections (UKYP).

WAY and UKYP sit on a number of key boards ensuring children and young people’s views and best interests are being heard. They have influence on decisions affecting children, safeguarding and services delivered to young people.

Election week runs from 10th February to midnight on 16th February.

Organisers hope young people aged 11 – 19 will vote in their thousands and exceed last year’s participation when 70% of those eligible voted.

Lee Gunton (16) of Melksham standing for UKYP & WAY, West Wiltshire said, “It’s important for young people to have a voice in society.

“We can’t keep getting pushed aside because young people are the future. I’m running in this election because I want to make a positive difference to the lives of young people in Wiltshire and I believe if we work together, we can.”

This is the eleventh year of youth elections and involving young people in the democratic process. Voting is by free text message on 80800. In 2013 32,198 votes were cast and in 2012 it was 30,542.

Information on all the candidate’s manifestos is available to view at www.sparksite.co.uk