Voting for the first time

You might well think that being an “official” adult doesn’t change much in your life.

For the most part you’re probably right. If you are lined up to go to university, in work, living at home or looking for a job, these things will all continue as if nothing had happened.

But one thing has changed. You can now vote. Does it matter? The short answer is yes.

From now on you have an equal say with anyone else - your parents, teachers, employers - in how the country is run.

At the next General Election I’m standing to be the Conservative MP for the Meon Valley constituency - the parliamentary seat you live in - and it’s really important to me to keep in touch with people of all different age groups and backgrounds.

As someone just joining the voting population, you almost certainly come with a completely set of views to people at other stages of life.

Don’t misunderstand me. I’m not about to ask you just about “young people’s” issues because I’m sure that you have opinions on the Economy, the NHS, Immigration, Education and all the other things in life that affect each and every one of us. That said, I also recognise that there are specific issues that affect younger people more than others and I want to know what you think about these too.

So, if you had a moment to fill in my questionnaire, I’d be grateful. There's a slightly different online version here. If you do, I’ll be much better informed and be able to represent your views as your MP if I’m lucky enough to be elected.

If you haven’t got the time or surveys aren’t your thing, you can message me via Facebook or email me at ghollingbery at mac.com.

I look forward to hearing from you.

George Hollingbery, 20/04/2009