Members of the UK Youth Parliament in Wolverhampton are calling on the city's young people to make their mark.

The annual Make Your Mark ballot gives young people the chance to decide what issues their Youth MPs should campaign on in the year ahead and also debate in the House of Commons.

This year the UK Youth Parliament expects more than 1 million young people to take part in the ballot, making it the biggest youth consultation in the country.

Young people in Wolverhampton are being asked to choose one issue from the 10 topics up for discussion. They range from giving 16 and 17 year olds the vote to increasing work experience opportunities for young people, developing a curriculum which prepares young people for life, the introduction of a living wage for all and the legalisation of euthanasia.

The House of Commons debate, involving Youth MPs from around the country, will take place on Friday 14 November, 2014, during Parliament Week, a national initiative that aims to build a greater awareness of Parliament and the work it does. It will also be broadcast on the BBC Parliament channel.

Wolverhampton Youth MP Kashmire Hawker said: "The Make Your Mark ballot is a great opportunity for young people to get their voices heard.

"I'm excited by the fact a million young people may be consulted to help form future policy - this will help young people get their say."

Fellow Youth MP Arnold Madecha added: "We're shaping the future and it's an opportunity for us to show everyone that we have voices and needs, and that these needs are important to us. So we urge young people in the city to make their mark this year."

Councillor Val Gibson, Wolverhampton City Council's Cabinet Member for Children and Families, said: "Our Youth MPs work really hard for the young people of Wolverhampton, and this is a great opportunity for them to highlight the issues that matter to them. I'd encourage all 11 to 18 year olds in Wolverhampton to make their mark by taking part in the ballot."

Young people have until Friday 3 October, 2014, to cast their vote, either via the website at Type=links;Linkid=3974;Title=Make Your Mark;Target=_blank; or using ballot papers available from schools and youth groups across Wolverhampton.

  • released: Friday 15 August, 2014