Bite the Ballot rallies EU support
February 2, 2012 2:07 PM
Originally published by Catherine Bearder MEP
Originally published by Catherine Bearder MEP
A campaign aimed at encouraging young people to get involved in politics has taken its message to Europe.
Bite the Ballot was in Brussels yesterday to speak to members of the European Parliament about developing links in other EU countries.
Dartford teacher Michael Sani spearheaded the scheme in 2010 after his own pupils told him they were not interested in politics.
It also emerged more than 60 per cent of young people did not vote at the last UK General Election.
Michael took a team of youngsters from Bite the Ballot to Brussels in a bid to forge links with other European countries.
He said: "Bite the Ballot is very excited to explore the opportunities with the new connections made today.
"There is every hope that young people from all countries can engage with one another and play a key role in the decisions that affect them."
Catherine Bearder, a Lib Dem MEP for the South East, is a Bite the Ballot patron, along with Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg and Paralympian Dame Tanni Grey-Thompson.
She said: "I invited Mike and his team to the parliament because it is a cause I passionately believe in.
"It is vital we engage more young people in politics and let them know their votes count and they can have an impact on big decisions in their communities."
The meeting attracted MEPs from six countries, who were keen to learn how they could to encourage higher voter turnout amongst young people.
Michael added: "There is a place in Europe for Bite the Ballot and there is a place in Bite the Ballot for Europe."
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