Article date – 28 August 2018
In a national ballot running from 22 August until 10 October, young people across the country will be asked what issues matter most to them, in order to determine what is debated by the UK Youth Parliament in the House of Commons on 9 November. Voting takes places both online and through ballot papers issued in schools and youth centres.
Ten topics will be available to choose from on the initial Make Your Mark ballot paper, with the five most popular topics among young people going on to be discussed by MYPs in their November debate, chaired by the Speaker of the House of Commons Rt. Hon. John Bercow MP and broadcast live on Parliament TV.
The ten topics are:
- Improved mental health services
- Ending period poverty
- Votes at 16
- Reducing knife crime
- A more life-oriented school curriculum, including sex and relationships, politics and finance
- Support for youth services
- Equal pay for young people doing the same work as adults
- Tackling homelessness
- Improved and cheaper public transport
- Welcoming refugees
Last year’s Make Your Mark ballot saw over 950,000 young people take part, making it the largest youth consultation of its kind in the UK. This year, Members of Youth Parliament have set themselves a target of getting 1 million young people.
The St Helens Youth Service will be supporting all secondary schools, colleges and alternative education provisions during September to help young people aged 11-18 years old take part; using the St Helens Electoral Ballot boxes and providing more information about Make your Mark and UK Youth Parliament. All young people aged 11-18 years old can get involved.
St Helens Member of Youth Parliament, Kian Jepson said:
“Make Your Mark is an incredibly important event for young people as it gives us a voice in our democratic system and with the next year’s UKYP campaign. I hope that with these tools, we are able to get positive change for all young people.”
For more information contact St Helens Youth Service on 01744 675924, or visit www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk
