By Community Correspondent Isabelle Kerr 2010- The start of a new decade, a time for a fresh start and for the whole of the UK, a pivotal moment for change in the political direction of our country.

So, with the move towards a presidential style of government following the weekly national leader debates and heavy media focus scrutinising the every movement of the three party leaders – how is the general election affecting the youth of Merton?

Local sixth formers at Ursuline High School have been participating in a mock general election with four year 12s representing: Labour, Conservatives, Liberal Democrats and the Green Party. In a competitive, ambitious debate held a week before the real election date, the four candidates battled it out providing their policies specific to the school of female teenagers. Lib Dems will cut top up fees; Conservatives are considering lowering the voting age to 16; Labour guaranteeing education to 18 and the Green Party providing 2000 Young People’s Centres. All policies are beneficial to Merton’s buzzing youth community – demonstrated by the uproar of political discussion; a rare sight for anyone accustomed to the normal boys- clothes-make-up topics which appear dominate most girls’ conversation.

The debate paralleled that of the national debates and proved the axiom that youth are apathetic to modern politics as completely false. Natalie Mekelberg, the Liberal Democrat candidate for Ursuline’s mock election said “it was a good experience to get an insight into what each major party actually believes in. I was also interested to be able to see what its like for a possible MP trying to get votes”.

With less than a week away to the general election; despite the fact that most young people are not eligible to vote – Ursuline, as with most other secondary schools following the mock election activity, are giving the students a voice.

Make sure you register your vote – if not to guarantee our democratic political system, but to provide an indirect voice for the UK’s youth!