Alan Whitehead, Labour MP for Southampton Test, last week launched Pump 02, a report that forms part of his office's Pump up the Vote campaign to encourage political awareness.
Ideas examined in the report include text voting, youth advice surgeries and lowering the voting age to 16. Based on 600 questionnaires, it also looks at issues important to young people, such as the environment, race relations and education. Crime and safety was the most important.
Whitehead said young people had "strong and often passionate views" about politics, but they often felt ignored.
"Young people should have access to local politicians and a chance to voice their opinions and concerns," he said. "Hopefully they will have plenty of chances to debate and discuss issues that affect them."
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