Sixth Form Students Take Part In 'Democracy Week' Survey

9.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 16th Oct 2006

Nearly one thousand sixth form students from schools and colleges across Worcestershire will take part in a survey of young people's views and attitudes towards politics as part of Local Democracy Week taking place from today [16 October].

The students, including those from The Chase High School and Dyson Perrins High School in Malvern, Hanley Castle High School, Worcester Sixth Form College and Pershore High School, will complete surveys devised by West Worcestershire's Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Candidate, Richard Burt to find out young people's views on politics.

Richard Burt said: "I have organised the survey as part of the Local Democracy Campaign which began back in October 1998 and helps engage more young people in the political process. Since then, almost 4000 schools across England and Wales have taken part in an effort to counter increasing levels of apathy amongst young voters.

"Only one in three young people bother to vote, yet they have the most to lose or gain from decisions taken by their local council or the British Parliament.

"Student grants, tuition fees and top-up fees, training and job prospects, housing and whether or not we go to war are all issues that affect the prospects of people growing up in Worcestershire, and yet most students tend to think these matters are for somebody else to decide.

"I hope this survey will be the first step for many to show that politicians do listen, and I am determined to be an MP who takes the views of younger residents seriously, listens to what they have to say and gives fair weight to their views.

Richard hopes to discuss the findings of the survey with students when they are analysed, and will take part in a debate with sixth formers being hosted at Kings School, Worcester in February.