icScotland - Be prepared to vote, Scouts urged
icScotland logo
icScotland News Sport icHomes
Search icScotland for:
Today's UK news
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article

Be prepared to vote, Scouts urged

02:05, Mar 13 2010

 

The Scout Association has launched a bid to get young people more involved in the general election amid fears up to half may not be registered to vote.

Around 10,000 Scouts will be eligible to cast their ballot for the first time in a general election this year and a website has been set up to encourage them and others to do so.

Just weeks ahead of a general election, recent Electoral Commission research found half of all 17- to 24-year-olds remained unregistered in test areas.

Alongside advice on registering and volunteering and a forum for politicians to take part in online discussions with young voters, the site explains why politics matters to young people.

The association is also sending information by post to 50,000 members to boost turnout.

Wayne Bulpitt, The Scout Association's UK Chief Commissioner said: "In Scouting we believe it is extremely important for young people to engage in democracy. Every vote counts.

"We not only want our young members to see why they should vote but how politics impacts on the causes and concerns that they have."

The campaign is being launched on the 40th anniversary of the first Parliamentary election after the voting age was reduced from 21 to 18 - a by-election in Bridgwater, Somerset.

To mark the occasion, 30 young people are being brought together in Nottingham with their local candidates in an event co-hosted by Oxfam and the Hansard Society.

 
Man charged with stabbing murder
Protesters show Syria solidarity
Six bailed in corruption probe
Sun man bailed in corruption probe
Temperatures set to plummet again
Murdoch 'commitment' after arrests
Police seize spoof poster fanzine
Sun employees held in hacking probe
Police appeal over linked robberies
'More families' covering bills
Syria army general assassinated
Eight held in corruption probe
Man quizzed over village murder
Man held after restaurant stand-off
Mercury plummets to winter low
West: Syrian officials accountable
Pledge to overturn prayers ruling
Families 'set to lose tax credit'
Bumped-up insurance claims 'surge'
Redknapp hits out at CPS over trial
Top Top

Back Back

E-mail this article to a friend

Printable VersionPrintable version

 
News  UK  Today's UK news  Article
 


Copyright and Trade Mark Notice
© owned by or licensed to Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited 2012.
icScotland™ is a trade mark of Scottish & Universal Newspapers Limited.
Please read our Terms and Conditions and Privacy Statement before using this site.

 
Advertisements
 
Jobs in Scotland: