The general election is only three months away and we are facing a crisis in our democracy.

Almost one million people, mainly students and young people, have disappeared from the electoral register because of this government’s reforms in the last 12 months. Those one million voices will be vital not just to our democracy – but also to a Labour victory in May. It is students in seats like Loughborough and Lincoln who have the power to throw out their Tory members of parliament.

Today the Labour party published new figures showing that, even on an optimistic estimate, the changes will mean that when young people turn 18 less than half of them are likely to be registered. To put that into context, in Plymouth the number of 17 year olds on the register turning 18 from March to May has fallen by an extraordinary 97 per cent.

As if the Liberal Democrats have not betrayed students enough they are now adding insult to injury by putting an end to students being automatically registered in halls, and pushing through a gagging law designed to keep students’ unions quiet. More than ever students need to have their voices heard. Yet when many arrive at the ballot box to vote for a better future under Labour they will find their voices taken away. Anyone who wants to have their say will not be able to do so unless they are registered by the 20 April deadline.

Labour Students is determined to ensure no student loses their right to vote. We have been campaigning tirelessly to ensure that from Cardiff to Cambridge every student is registered.

At the University of Leicester Labour Students has worked with the students’ union to ensure the issue of voter registration is front and centre. Using free coffee, wristbands and inflatable slides as well as traditional door knocking to ensure every student on campus is registered to vote.

We are working with the party’s student vote activators to ensure local parties, student unions’ and Labour clubs are working together to get students back on the register. They have been doing some amazing work like a secret pop-up bar you can only access once you have registered, social media campaigns and stalls on campus to spread the word.

The Labour party with Labour Students and Young Labour is committed to hearing young people’s views and wants them to help shape the plan for the next generation by contributing to our youth manifesto or check out #ShapeYourFuture

The best revenge against Clegg and Cameron is getting students registered to vote. Take five minutes and register online.

———————————-

Finn McGoldrick is chair of Labour Students. She tweets @FioMcG

———————————-

Photo: secretlondon123