Meg urges young people to go out and vote

Meg Hillier, the only woman standing for election in Hackney South and Shoreditch on 5 May, was asked to debate voter apathy on live TV last week.

Sky News called together the three main political parties and ordinary members of the public to debate whether people are interested in voting.

National figures show that young people and people on the lowest incomes are least likely to vote at election time.

Labour and Co-operative Party MP hopeful Meg told viewers that she found Westminster ‘ya boo’ politics a turn off.

‘I do not believe that young people are disengaged from politics. Too often party politics becomes focused on what a tiny number of people want to talk about. We need to switch on to the priorities for younger voters,’ she said.

‘Climate change is a huge challenge for Britain and the world and this has received little coverage in the election, in spite of an important bill on climate change likely to be introduced early in the next Parliament.

‘I know that many young people in particular are fired up about the environment, an issue which no one government can tackle alone. Those of us standing on party tickets need to recognise this.’

Meg also concluded that personal contact with voters is vital. ‘Doorstep conversations are a great way of gauging local views and showing people that I am standing for election but I am also just another working mum, sharing many of their concerns.

‘I have been heartened at how many people have said they will be voting in Hackney. I hope this is reflected on 5 May – whoever people vote for.’

If Meg is elected and Diane Abbott is re-elected Hackney will be the only London borough with only women MPs. ‘Mother power,’ joked Meg.

Ends

For further information, please contact Ian Rathbone 07890 654 068 or e-mail ian.rathbone@tiscali.co.uk

Notes to editors

• In the UK 20 to 30 per cent fewer 18- to 24-year-olds vote compared with older age groups
• At the 2001 General Election only 39 per cent of eligible young people turned out to vote compared to 59 per cent as a whole
• Lower turnout is not just a UK issue but is common to the post industrial world. Countries with fledgling democracies have a much higher turnout at elections