Promoting Local Democracy Conference 2010

Published on 11 March 2010

Should the voting age be lowered from 18 to 16? That's the question members of the Epping Forest Youth Council and young people from across the district will be debating at a conference promoting local democracy this week.

The promoting local democracy conference 2010 is being held in the council chambers at Epping Forest District Council on Friday 12 March 2010 with the debate being broadcast live over the internet between 11:15 am and 12:15 pm.

During the conference, young people will get the chance to quiz 2 of the districts 3 MPs, Eleanor Laing (MP for Epping Forest) and Bill Rammell (MP for Harlow, Nazeing, Roydon and Sheering), and the Chairmain of Epping Forest District Council Councillor Penny Smith. The delegates will get to choose the 3 main priorities for the Epping Forest Youth Council to address, these issues will form the EFYC manifesto.

Link to webcast:

• Watch the debate live (starts at 11:15 am on 12/3/10)

Ian Willett, Returning Officer for the Epping Forest District said: "It is widely perceived that young people are not involved in or even aware of democracy at a local level. These young people are our future voters and we know that they are keen to have their say on issues that affect their daily lives. All the major political parties have recognised and been discussing this issue to encourage our youth to engage with the political process."

Mr Willett continued: "Working with the Epping Forest Youth Council I have found that most young people today are knowledgeable and informed about what is going on. This is our chance to discover their views, and maybe in the future 16 years olds will be able to vote."

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