Shadow Universities Minister Liam Byrne MP visited Loughborough College this week to talk to its Higher Education students as part of National Voter Registration Day.
Loughborough alone has seen over 10,000 drop off the electoral register since 2014 and the day was held across the country with the aim of ensuring that young people register to vote and don’t lose their voice at this year’s general election.
Chris Moore, Head of Higher Education at Loughborough College, said: “Our undergraduates and international students met Liam Byrne at a Symposium held at the College’s Higher Education Centre and it was great to see them discussing their views on voting as well as sharing their ideas on the policies any future government should consider in supporting younger voters.
“One clear message was that support should be offered to them in gaining quality work experience whilst studying for their degree at the College
“Our students are hard working and are high achievers, over 92% will pass their Degree, and College fees for undergraduate courses offer great value for both the student and the taxpayer - but this means we really do need additional resources. We can then make the best use of our fantastic network of employers who we know would, with the right support from Loughborough College, welcome undergraduates into their companies and professions, and launch our students into their future careers.”
Liam Byrne, who was joined by Labour’s PPC for Loughborough, Matthew O’Callaghan, pointed out that more than a million people have slipped off the electoral register. “And with the changes to how students are now registered, this is particularly an issue in towns such as Loughborough, which has a large student population.
“Young people are affected by so many issues - education, housing, jobs health, climate change and international development - that it’s so important they are heard.”
Pictured Loughborough College Higher Education students with (centre l to r) Head of Higher Education Chris Moore, Liam Byrne and Matthew O’Callaghan