Youth Parliament to choose if ‘tackling racism against Jews and Muslims’ is priority

Young people across the country are for the first time being given the chance to choose the ‘tackling of racism against Jews and Muslims’ as their national priority, in a ballot organised by the UK Youth Parliament. 

Ballot papers are being distributed to youngsters between 11 and 18 years of age through schools and councils, with voters asked to nominate their top priority for the coming year. Among the ten options is one to “tackle racism and religious discrimination, particularly against Jews and Muslims”. 

Other options include lowering the voting age to 16, obliging companies to pay a living wage, and compelling the government to stick to its climate change promises.

The religious discrimination option was chosen by Members of the Youth Parliament at the annual sitting on 2 August. Up to one million people will now have the chance to vote until the closing date on 10 October. The five issues with the most votes will then be debated in Parliament on 13 November.