I decided to join a political party because of concerns with the younger generation not voting and taking little interest in politics. I asked a lot of people about their reasons for not voting and most people admitted that they have no understanding of politics and feel powerless to make a difference, some felt disenchanted with the main stream political parties. So I decided to join a political party.

I looked at all parties, and even went to listen to the Conservative leader speak, however as good a speaker as David Cameron is, it became clear to me that the Conservatives had not one policy to put before the audience and on occasions he asked us “what we would do”.

I’ve always been nervous of the Conservatives and coming from a working class background know they support the middle and upper classes. I was not keen on the Liberal Democrats either as I feel they have not done a good job in Pendle and seem to change their policies all the time. I did look at the smaller parties, but I didn’t agree with a lot of what they had to say.

So I joined the Labour Party because I can see the difference they have made with the NHS, the support for the single parent, their determination with education of not just the young but the old. They brought in the National Minimum Wage, gave greater rights for the disabled, have actively encouraged greener thinking among the public, and are trying to reform the welfare system.

Younger people should take an interest in politics; it’s amazing how a lot of women don’t vote despite women having to fight for the right to vote. It’s our future and it shouldn’t just be up to the older generations to make the decisions on our future, we should have a say in how Britain should be in 20 – 30 years time. It’s my generation who will witness the end of oil production as global reserves run out, and my generation who will feel the full effects that climate change will have on Britain.

Recommendations included:

• Reviewing how effective the Young People's Service's communications with young people are, across all Pendle's neighbourhoods
• Offering a core minimum offer of activities and services provided for communities which currently have no provision.
• Increasing access to sporting opportunities.
• Reviewing which communities are accessing each centre, to ensure the Young People's             Service is supporting cohesion across the whole of the area's youth community.

The MP said: “The Department for Culture, Media & Sport are funding an Arts Council England scheme that will provide free tickets to people under the age of 26. Working with more than 200 venues throughout the country, it will distribute 618,000 tickets over the next two years."

"I would like to see young people in Pendle take advantage of this scheme – locally, theatres in Bolton, Bury, Oldham and Manchester are taking part - and the opportunity to see live theatre should not be missed.”

The MP added: “Londoners are spoiled for choice in theatre going and, despite the credit crunch, business is booming. I hope many young people here in Pendle will apply for tickets - for local theatres and for those further afield - and have a really great night out”.

“It has been a long time coming but I would like to thank the county council for doing the leg work on this.”

More than 450 young people, aged 11 to 25, are expected to benefit from the new facility, which will feature a multi-use games area, internet cafe and computer room,.

Basic literacy and numeracy skills courses, careers, training and employment information are among the first services to be offered from the hub.

Residential courses are planned and classes for the Duke of Edinburgh Award scheme are set to be based there.

Pendle MP, Gordon Prentice, was also delighted to learn of the success of Nelson’s Leeds Road Youth Centre bid for government funding.

The MP said "£1.3 million has been awarded for a new youth and community centre on the Leeds Road site. This is excellent news and a great achievement for all involved. The money comes from the "myplace" pot, worth over £200 million, to provide safe places for all young people to go to and take part in a wide range of activities.

“You can do a lot with this huge sum of money. I’m sure young people in the area will be over the moon.”

This first wave of funding will be awarded to 21 successful bidders across the country and will help drive forward Labour’s commitment to making this the best country in the world for young people to grow up in. This money will help provide exciting safe places for all young people to go to and give them the opportunity to take part in a wide range of positive activities such as sport, dance and music

The announcement is part of Labour’s ‘myplace’ programme, a scheme which is transforming the provision of youth facilities across the country. Labour is ensuring that young people are actively involved in developing youth facilities in their neighbourhoods to ensure that the projects reflect what young people want and need.

Ed Balls and Jack Straw visited the Lazer Centre in Leeds, which represents the type of facilities myplace hopes to inspire across the country.

Speaking from the Lazer Centre, Ed Balls, Children and Young People’s Secretary, said:

“The vast majority of young people are good citizens, play by the rules and just want better things to do and places to go after school and at the weekend rather than hanging around in the street or in the local park. They enjoy getting involved in exciting projects such as myplace, so I hope that this scheme will help change the way communities view our young people.

“myplace will transform positive activities for young people who will be able to decide what kind of facilities they want, and when they want them, such as on Friday and Saturday nights.

“In the Children’s Plan we said we want all young people to have the best opportunities whatever their circumstances and myplace will give young people across the country a chance to enjoy new experiences, learn new skills and become a valued member of their own community.”

Cllr Asjad Mahmood, Pendle Labour Party Youth Officer, says:

"Many thanks to everybody who responded to our survey of 18-year-olds in Pendle. The results are fascinating and well worth a look."

About You

Question 1: Would you say you were:

(a) Very interested in politics (28%)

(b) Quite interested in politics (48%)

(c) Not interested in politics (24%)

"Three quarters of you showed a positive interest in politics, which we find very reassuring for the future. So much for critics of the 'couldn't-care-less younger generation' "

Question 2: Which political party do you most closely identify with?

(a) Labour 15%

(b) Conservative 9%

(c) Liberal Democrats 9%

(d) Other 14%

(e) Don’t know 53%

(f) Would not vote 0%

"A lot of doubt about, which I suppose isn't surprising, but nice to see that nearly half of you have a political direction. Even nicer to see that Labour is in the majority!"

The Big Issues

Question 3: Put the following in the order of importance they have for you, numbering from 1 (most important) to 10 (least):

The number of responses showed your priorities were:

1 Education

2 Health

3 Tax

4 Employment

5 Environment

6 Crime

7 Defence / War

8 Migration

9 Transport

10 Overseas Aid

"It's good to see that crime and migration aren't the big worries for most of you that some parties make out. We'll be doing this survey again - it will be interesting to see if Education is still at the top after the new schools and the College extension are built."

Pendle people

Question 4: What do you think are the most important local issues for young people in Pendle?

Some of your quotes:

“Happiness”

“In rural areas I believe transport is an important issue”

“..Tax is very important and also health and education”

“... places to go and environment”

“Transport, motivation, integration”

“Jobs”

“Things to do outside school hours”

“NHS dentist provision especially whilst in education”

“Cheaper transport”

“Safe streets…and more leisure activities e.g. more shops, youth centre…”

“Sexual health education”

“Affordable housing”

“…being treated equally... and retaining A&E service at Burnley General…”

“Improving social issues in the community and the development of derelict areas”

“Underage-drugs and alcohol-education”

“…sports facilities”

"An amazingly diverse range of responsible comments. I will pass these on to our Councillors for action."