Launch of The Scout Association's Active Citizens programme to target 'virgin voters'

Active Citizens: Virgin Voters website unveiled at special event in Nottingham

Oxfam GB and the Hansard Society partner launch

On the 13th March 2010 Vernon joined Scout campaigners from across the country to launch the Active Citizens: Virgin Voters - a special website designed to encourage first-time voters to participate in the upcoming General Election. The site was created by The Scout Association (TSA) in partnership with Oxfam GB and The Hansard Society.

This year, some 10,000 Scouts and Young Leaders will be eligible to vote for the first time and TSA wants to give them the tools and information they need not only on how to vote, but more importantly why they should vote.

The website - www.activecitizens.net - features general information about voting, campaigning and volunteering, as well as offering a number of practical tools including how to register to vote, how to start a campaign, and local volunteering opportunities. It also hosts a forum that will enable MPs, councillors and prospective local and national candidates to participate in online discussions; allowing them to directly engage with young people on issues of concern to them.

Activecitizens.net was unveiled at a special event in Nottingham to encourage youth participation in local and national political activity. The event, hosted by TSA in partnership with Oxfam GB and the Hansard Society, took place on Saturday 13 March which was the 40th anniversary of the Bridgwater by-election - the first time 18-year-olds in the UK were able to vote.

Vernon went along to join the youngsters - many of them first time voters – to talk about the issues that they want to see politicians addressing in the coming General Election.

Vernon said: "This was a great project which encourages democratic participation amongst younger and first time voters. I thoroughly enjoyed the event in which I was given the opportunity to speak to many first time voters about issues which are important to them."

Wayne Bulpitt, The Scout Association’s UK Chief Commissioner said: “We believe young people should have a voice on the issues that matter to them. So we’ve launched this programme to give them the support and tools they need to get active. In Scouting we believe it is extremely important for young people to engage in democracy. Every vote counts. We not only want our young Members to see why they should vote but how politics impacts on the causes and concerns that they have.

Amy Brunsdon a “virgin vote”, Scout and student from Berkshire said: “I think this is a really great idea. This year will be the first time that I will be able to vote and it’s great that Scouting is helping out by offering everything I need to know about getting started. And it’s not just about voting either, there’s some really great information about campaigning too. So if you feel strongly about a particular issue you can find out how to lobby your local MP - or connect with other young people who feel the same.”