Young politicians go online for election [Edition 3]

BUDDING politicians from Billericay have taken to the internet tospread their political messages.

Students from Mayflower High School and The Billericay School arepart of a group of more than 100 pupils from across the boroughtaking part in the Young People's Parliament Project.

The project aims to create an interactive young persons' electionfor the borough to engage them in democracy.

The students were divided into 15 parties, with each writing anelection manifesto on which to campaign. Their respective politicalbroadcasts have now been uploaded to the videohosting site YouTube.

Broadcast Each broadcast includes an outline of their ideas forthe borough. Their colleagues are then encouraged to view each ofthe broadcasts and vote for their chosen party.

Elections are taking place next week at polling stations inschools and the winning party will have access to Pounds 5,000 tospend on making their ideas a reality.

Councillor Andrew Baggott, Basildon Borough Council's cabinetmember for community, said: "The young people have worked hard inscripting and producing their own party broadcasts. I would like towish them all the best of luck."

Voting closes at 5pm on Friday.