Youngest MP in bid to get more under-35s voting

Written by Stewart Paterson and published in Evening Times on Mon 12th Dec 2005

BRITAIN'S youngest MP is backing a bid to tackle voter apathy among young people.

East Dunbartonshire MP Jo Swinson is supporting the 2009 Project which aims to galvanise under-35s for the next general election.

The LibDem MP wants Parliament to back the project and MPs to engage with young people to ensure their interest in politics by the time of the next poll, probably in 2009.

Turnout among the young fell at the last election, with only 37% turning up at polling booths.

Ms Swinson, who became an MP at the age of 25 when she took the East Dunbartonshire seat in May, put forward a motion today applauding the 2009 Project.

She said: "It is vital that all age groups are represented in Parliament. At the moment this is not the case, in fact only two MPs are under the age of 30."

Anyone born after May 7, 1974, can pledge to vote at the 2009 election online at: www.the2009project.com

Ms Swinson said: "The 2009 project is a great way to encourage young people to vote.

"Although very few of my parliamentary colleagues will be under 35 in 2009, this motion calls on them to declare their support for the project, and encourage the under 35s in their constituency to cast their vote."

12/12/05

Related Link:

Link to the article on www.eveningtimes.co.uk