HEDGES TAKES PART IN LOCAL DEMOCRACY WEEK

Written by Hannah Hedges and published in Local Press on Tue 19th Oct 2004

Yesterday (Tuesday 19th October), Hannah Hedges, Liberal Democrat Prospective Parliamentary Candidate for Hitchin and Harpenden, visited a local youth club to talk to young people about politics and democracy.

Hannah talked to a group of young people aged between 13 - 18 at the Bancroft Centre, Hitchin, about issues such as: how politics affects them and why getting involved in politics is so important. She looked at the different ways of participation other than voting, such as involvement in a local youth council, youth parliament or campaigning and petitioning those in power.

As the country's youngest Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, she emphasised the fact that politics can work for young people, praising the work already done to educate the young through citizenship teaching in schools.

Hannah said: It is really encouraging to see young people taking a keen interest in politics.

I was also delighted to see the good work being done by the Bancroft centre. The young people had some really good ideas about how they could use politics to create a better place for the younger generation in Hitchin.

There are many different opportunities open to young people in Hitchin and Harpenden, not least from organisations such as local youth councils, youth centres and the UK Youth Parliament.

I would encourage all young people to stand up and make your mark in the local community.

Young people deserve a voice in democracy