Touring councillor gets kids keen on politics

Oct 30 2009 By Russell Butt

A COUNCILLOR is hoping to engage young people by holding a presentation on democracy.

Virginia Water ward councillor, Anthony Ridge-Newman, has launched the project, called 'Young People, Democracy & The Internet', which is touring secondary schools and colleges in Runnymede during November.

Mr Newman said the project had been launched to try and win back some of the borough's youths who might feel disenfranchised by politics. He said: "In a time of MPs expenses scandals and voter apathy, we need to find new ways to engage our young people, the future of Britain, and encourage them to exercise their democratic rights."

The format of the tours includes a presentation by politically active young people and a presentation by Cllr Ridge-Newman, whose doctoral research at Royal Holloway, University of London, is in internet democracy. The session ends with a Question Time style debate in which the students can pose questions to a panel of activist and local politicians.

Mr Ridge-Newman added:"Of late, people seem really fed up with politicians. They feel our democracy is not working. Runnymede is the home of the Magna Carta and I believe we should celebrate this history by encouraging our residents to use new democratic platforms like the internet.

"The internet presents opportunities for direct democracy and can give a voice to those who do not yet have a vote. I want to help empower our next generation, Britain's future, and show them the ways in which the internet can give them a voice - through new media applications like blogging."

Schools participating in the project include Strodes College, Egham, Magna Carta School,Egham Hythe and Jubilee High in Addlestone.

For more information contact Mr Ridge-Newman via email at: cllr.anthony.ridge-newman@runnymede.gov.uk