Voting guide launched to boost turnout

Every 18-year-old in the country will be posted a voting guide in a bid to boost turnout at the next general election.

In an effort to combat falling turnout, young people will be sent a personalised copy of the newspaper-style 'Voting Times' leaflet on their 18th birthday.

Production of the guide, which gives information on subjects like how to get onto the electoral register, was recommended by the Commons modernisation committee in its 2004 report 'Connecting parliament with the public'.

Speaker Michael Martin, who on Tuesday met the first young people to receive a copy, said: "Anyone who cares about our democracy should be concerned that so many young people did not vote at the last general election.

"The guide for new voters is one of a number of initiatives being take better to connect parliament with the public and specifically to encourage first-time voters to use their vote at the next general election."

"Members of parliament already work hard in their constituencies to interest young people in politics and the democratic process - this guide will support those efforts," he added.

Commons librarian John Pullinger said the guide was intended to help young voters understand parliament.

"MPs have their own communications with their constituents, but there's very little understanding of why parliament itself matters," he explained.

"Even basic things like the fact that parliament does something different to what the government does is very little understood, and that's partly because parliament hasn't tried to project why it's important to young people."

In 2005 turnout among 18 to 24-year-olds was 37 per cent.

The guide will be sent out from the end of July until the next general election.