Most children believe politicians can't be trusted

The poll, carried out by NFP Synergy, found that more than 90% of children believe politicians can't be trusted and don't listen to the views of young people, while only four per cent feel politicians act with young people's interests in mind.

Children were equally pessimistic about the outcome of the general election, with only a quarter of the 1,006 11- to 25-year-olds surveyed, believing the result will make a positive difference to their lives.

Nearly one-third said Stephen Fry could do a better job than someone already in government.

Children's Society chief executive Bob Reitemeier believes the government has a lot of work to do to restore young people's confidence in the system.

"We must all work to create a political system that is relevant and responsive to the interests of the generation who will ultimately be relied upon to carry it forward," he said.

Eighty per cent of the young people surveyed also said that education, child poverty and children's services should be top of the next government's agenda.

The Children's Society's Manifesto for A Good Childhood calls on all parties to give children a bigger voice in politics.