More youth engagement in politics pledged by Brown
Joe Lepper
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Prime Minister Gordon Brown has pledged to include measures to engage young people in politics as part of efforts to clean up Westminster.
Speaking to an audience of young people at Number 10 today (28 May) the Prime Minister said that political reform to prevent abuse of power should run hand in hand with wider issues such as political engagement, particularly involving young people.
He said: "Cleaning up the system is one thing, but making sure that everybody has a chance to make their voice felt in decisions that affect their lives is going to be a big thing for the future."
The National Union of Students, the Scouts, Hackney Youth Parliament and Kids Company were among those attending the event at Number 10, which was staged to mark next month's publication of the Youth Citizenship Commission's report on youth participation.
The Commission was set up in 2007 by Brown to investigate youth participation ideas such as reducing the voting age to 16 and citizenship ceremonies to mark young people's coming of age.
Children's Secretary Ed Balls and Justice Secretary Jack Straw were also at the event.
