Reading Liberal Democrats

The youth-led British Youth Council has created a General Election Manifesto ‘Our Parliament, Our Vision’ that outlines five actions Parliament must take to improve the lives of young people in the UK:

• Support a National Youth Transport card that offers 16 to 25 year olds a third off public transport fares.
• Reduce the voting age for parliamentary and other public elections to 16 years.
• Create an equal National Minimum Wage for everyone aged 16 and over.
• Keep the promise to end child poverty by 2020.
• Invest in comprehensive mental health services for young people.

Cllr Daisy Benson agrees with the British Youth Council that it is crucial to engage young people and listen to their opinions during this election.

Cllr Daisy Benson said of the Manifesto:

“I am delighted to add my support to the British Youth Council’s General Election Manifesto. I am proud to be standing for a Party that is positive about young people and what they have to offer in our Society.”

“In particular I support investing in comprehensive mental health services for young people to reduce waiting times and lowering the voting age to 16 to give more young people a say over political decisions that affect their lives.”

“I hope as many young people in Reading West as possible vote in this election and make their voices heard.”

BYC Chair Alex Delaney, who is leading the ‘Our Parliament, Our Vision’ campaign says:

“We believe it’s our Parliament too. Our vision should inform and influence what it does. All of the five calls for action in this Manifesto address real issues that affect them today. Teenagers are struggling to meet travel costs to get to places of education, training or work; young workers are being paid unequal wages just because of their age; four million children are living in poverty; the needs of young people with mental health problems are not being met; young people are not heard in our democracy.

“We welcome Daisy Benson adding her support and call on other parliamentary candidates to support young people to get their voices heard.”

Notes to Editors:

1. The British Youth Council (BYC) is a youth-led organisation for young people aged 25 and under across the UK. BYC is the national youth council of the UK and links up with its community of member organisations and network of local Youth Councils to empower young people to have their say and be heard on the issues they care about. For more information see www.byc.org.uk.
2. A PDF copy of the General Election Manifesto ‘Our Parliament, Our Vision’, briefings on each of the five Manifesto topics, and a full toolkit of materials to empower young people to take action and campaign locally, is available from www.byc.org.uk/gec.
3. British Youth Council Campaigns: Telephone: 020 7022 1974 Email: helen.deakin@byc.org.uk
4. Contact Daisy – 07766157857