Youth Council meet the candidates

An initiative from the Stratford District Youth Council saw candidates for the general election available for a public meeting last night.

The meeting was organised in response to the feeling from young people in Stratford - particularly those who are about to vote for the first time - that more information is required in order to make an informed decision.
Chaired by former mayor Brian Jeffares, and with current Stratford District Councillors present, the meeting was attended by around 30 potential voters.

Three candidates and one party representative attended (National, Labour, Democrats for Social Credit, and Greens), with the opportunity to speak for 10 minutes before fielding questions.

Responses from the audience included questions about drinking ages, driving ages, health services for young people, and what to do with young people who don’t fit in to mainstream education systems.

In addition, experienced elections organiser Colleen Cobblestone spoke on the way the MMP system works, what the different types of voting mean, and what a voter needs to do on 8 November.

“The audience of mainly young people came away with many questions answered,” said Youth Council Chairman Ngawai Matthews. “A feeling of empowerment comes from knowledge, and the Stratford District Youth Council was pleased to facilitate this meeting on behalf of all Stratford young people.”