As a young person, I know today’s local elections will be a huge moment for young people in Harrow, even if many have no interest in politics or have long turned their backs on political parties.

In the General Election in 2010 only 44 per cent of 18 to 24-year-olds voted. Given so few young people voted, compared to all other age groups, the Tories were allowed to target the young when the vicious cuts kicked in, safe in the knowledge they would lose very few votes by doing so.

The results have been disastrous: EMA scrapped, one million young people unemployed, ‘back to work’ schemes that force young people to work without pay, and housing and rent prices now so high that even those young people in work cannot afford to move out; the list of cuts and polices that have failed young people is endless.

The Labour Party has pledged to build more affordable homes and to create 500 jobs and apprenticeships to help young people in Harrow into work. Whilst these policies will help young people in Harrow, the election is about far more than just supporting a party, it is a chance for young people to get issues that matter to them on the political agenda.

Regardless of who you vote for, the most important thing is for young people to vote and have their voice heard. It really does matter — the voices of young people are too often ignored.

Ben Young

Chairman of Harrow Young Labour Party