GEORGE Eldridge, 17, is a member of the Chalford Cubed Youth Forum for the past three years, he is currently studying at Cirencester College.

Below is his first article for the SNJ.

Following the local elections, one would not have to go far to find discussions of a political nature.

Of course this pattern does not end with young people, however national statistics show that there is indeed an apathy between young people voting in elections.

The recent County Council elections in May 2017 saw a turnout of 41% in the Stroud district which is a 6.4% rise from the last county council elections.

In the last general election, the turnout for 18-24 year olds was 43%.

Young people from the age of 18-24 are an important demographic for candidates to target, as they are very much capable of making a difference in the outcome of a vote.

Young people are far less likely to vote than their parents, which may be because of the overload of information necessary to make an informed vote or because of the belief that politics does not affect them.

This is simply not true, perhaps the most important issue affecting young people is university tuition fees, something that young people have the power to change by voting for a party that seeks to change this in their favour.

Though this may be a party with a minority vote, should young people come out in large enough numbers, the other 57% eligible to vote could swing a party in their favours.

One person’s vote can make all the difference, as evidenced by the Northumberland county council tie, where one more vote would have made the difference between the independent candidate and the Liberal Democrat candidate.

Registering to vote is a simple process that can be completed online, and if done by 22nd May, any young person who is over the age of 18 at the time of the election, even if they are not 18 at the time of registering, will be eligible to vote in the general election.

Many young people are made to feel that their political views and opinions are invalid or futile.

The views of young people, whether they are old enough to vote or note, should be as an equal priority to those of any other voter.

Every vote and opinion is equal.

So remember to register and vote at www.gov.uk/register-to-vote.

Your Vote Counts!