25.05.2016 For immediate release: Member of Parliament for Bexhill and Battle, Huw Merriman, has spoken of his hopes to give all under-18 year olds a chance to have their say on the European Union referendum.
The MP has written to every primary and secondary school in his constituency and offered sessions in schools to explain the referendum, the competing arguments and what would happen after the referendum result is known. Mr Merriman has also written to over 40,000 households, inviting all constituents, regardless of age, to come to the eight debates which he is holding in June. Parliament goes in to recess between 17th and 23rd June, time which Mr Merriman feels would be best placed visiting his schools across his 200 miles of constituency.
Said Huw “Since being elected, I have been undertaking my ‘school a week’ visits and I am always impressed by the views which young people hold. I am conscious that the impact of the referendum will be felt by those who are not old enough to vote for it or completely understand it.
“The young people I have spoken to do not feel that they are being included in the discussion. I already have some school sessions scheduled and hope I can use these 10 days to hop from each school to explain what the referendum means and what the various arguments are. It is important that everyone feels included in this momentous decision, not just those who can vote for it”.