VOTES have now been cast in what’s shaping up to be an historic General Election. But, when I start to think about it, I’m overwhelmed at where to start.

There are so many influencing factors - the media portrayal of each party, the outcomes each party aims to achieve and the changes that will happen after the election. I believe young people feel disassociated with politics and this inevitably means that we have less chance of forming an opinion on the outcome. 

Because you cannot vote until 18, I feel that young people are not as interested or involved with politics as they should be, potentially because they believe it doesn't affect them.

However, it definitely does. For example, the Conservative Party discussed bringing in Conscription and National Service which will directly affect all young people implicitly. I believe it is unfair that we cannot vote until we are 18, meaning we have no say in something that will affect us so much. However, it must be noted that the Labour Party wishes to decrease this age to 16. Locally, I would like to see more help with mental health issues, a focus on clearing rivers, and bringing about economic stability.

Sofia Sartain-Walker, 15, Court Fields School, Wellington