The General Election is to elect Members of Parliament (MP’s) to the House of Commons and to elect the next Prime Minister.
The UK is divided into 650 areas, called constituencies, and each of these elects one MP to represent local residents. Most candidates represent a political party, but some stand as independents. You’ll be able to find out more about each candidate running in your constituency once the list is published on June 7th here.
This particular Election is being referred to as a “Snap Election” as it’s been called earlier than the general public expected. There are various reasons why a Government may choose to call a snap election so it’s important to do your own research on the current political landscape from trusted and reputable sources.
Why Should I Vote?
Voting is one of the most powerful ways in which you can influence your future and the future of the country. By voting, you have a say in how the UK is run and who represents you. This is particularly important for students and young people as decisions made by the next Government will impact your future. Voting empowers you to influence government actions and societal change.
Historically, young people have been at the forefront of significant social and political changes. In the UK, the voting age was lowered from 21 to 18 in 1969, empowering the youth to have a direct influence on the nation’s future. Your participation can continue this legacy of shaping progressive policies and ensuring that issues important to young people are addressed. Politicians are more likely to address issues important to young people and students if they know this demographic votes and are politically active.