Bet you think politics has nothing to do with you and doesn’t affect you in any way? Can you answer “Yes” to any of the following:

• Do you buy or download CD’s?
• Do you use public transport?
• Do you go to school or college?
• Do you use the sports facilities in your area?

Politics, politicians and local councillors have a direct impact on all of the above!

Politicians decide the cost of your CD’s and whether it’s legal to download them.

Politicians decide on what public transport is available, how often they run and how much it costs you.

Politicians decide on the school leaver age, the number of places available in colleges or universities and the grants available to you.

Politicians decide on what sports facilities are available in your area – and which ones are closed down.

Still think politics doesn’t affect you? Whether you realise it or not, politics is a part of your everyday life. The good thing is that, in this country, you can have an influence on it and the way it affects the world around you.

If you are 16 or 17 years old, you can still register to vote now. And it’s easy to do. Just fill in the Voter Registration Form from the download section on the right. Then from your 18th birthday you can have your say and vote the way you want to.

I am 16/17 years old. Can I register to vote?

Turning 18 brings with it new rights and responsibilities, including being eligible to vote for the very first time.

By registering to vote, you will get an important say on your future. Having reached 18, there’s no better way to change things.

Once registered, you will be able to vote at Local Government, European and Parliamentary elections.

Find out more about registering your vote and how the elections process works from the links on the right.

Voting Times is a special newspaper sent out, by Parliament, to teenagers on their 18th birthday to remind them about this milestone.

Each copy is personalised and tells you how important your vote could be in the next general election, highlighting the real difference that millions of first time voters will make.

It has information about how to register and vote, how to find out more about candidates and loads about the role of the UK Parliament.

• Examining and challenging the work of the government (scrutiny)
• Debating and passing all laws (legislation)
• Enabling the government to raise taxes

The issues that are discussed in Parliament affect us all:

• Health
• The environment
• Transport
• Jobs
• Schools
• Crime

For instance, Parliament has recently debated and voted on how long people arrested on suspicion of terrorism can be held without being charged.

The Youth Council is a body of young people in Middlesbrough who meet monthly in the Town Hall to discuss a variety of issues which are relevant to young people.

For more information about the Youth Council and how to get involved, please contact Lynne Coppinger, Youth Operations Manager, on 01642 201924.