Scouts hope to lead youth of Britain on expedition to the polling station

Published on Friday 12 March 2010 21:57

IT'S a century-old organisation that has taught generations of Scots survival skills such as camping outdoors, building fires and tying knots.

But now, in a departure from its traditional role, the Scout Association has moved to the vanguard of a campaign to encourage young people to vote.

The move comes as voting turn-out is expected to hit a new low at the general election, with reports suggesting many young people feel disenfranchised from politics.

The Scout Association, which has 10,000 "virgin voters" among its members, was among groups which successfully campaigned against a "rain tax" which would have meant a sharp increase in water drainage costs for churches and charities, with the amount paid calculated using the size of their roofs.

It is not aligning itself with any particular party, but wants to be more politically active both at national and local levels.

Simon Carter, national spokesman, said: ''It's not just about voting, it's also about campaigning.

"We're telling them that their voice matters. They have the power to change things. Last summer, with the rain tax, we had young people lobbying Parliament to change the law. We saw the power of youth participation.

"Gift aid is now the number one thing we will campaign on. We currently have an opt-in system, if it was made opt-out, charities would be much better off.''

The association has launched a website, www.activecitizens.net, which includes a forum for MPs and candidates to discuss issues online with scouts to try to win their votes.

Wayne Bulpitt, the Scout Association's UK chief commissioner, said: "We not only want our young members to see why they should vote but how politics impacts on the causes and concerns that they have."

Neither the Guides nor the Boys Brigade are planning pre-election campaigns to encourage members to vote. However, the Guides conducted research last year which found many girls felt disenfranchised from politics and listed Rebecca Adlington, JK Rowling and Katie Price as role models, rather than female politicians.

Education charity Edge will say next week that "virgin voters" consider schools policy the most important issue in the election.

It will release survey results showing three-quarters believe the education system should be improved to better meet the needs of young people, while more than half think radical changes are needed to help them find work when they leave school.

Derek Couper, 19, chairman of the Scottish Youth Parliament, said:

"I'd echo the call from the Scouts and encourage every young person eligible to make their voice heard on election day.

"If we don't participate then we can't expect to make a difference."

Scout Amy Brunsdon, who will vote from the first time in the election, said: "I think this is a really great idea.

"And it's not just about voting either, there's some really great information about campaigning, too. So if you feel strongly about a particular issue you can find out how to lobby your local MP."