THEY may not be able to vote in next month’s EU referendum - but one group of politics students from Stroud are determined to make sure their voice of youth is still heard in the debate.
A group of four 17-year-old girls from Stroud High School have launched a campaign called UK Youth for Europe, and are firmly backing a Remain vote on June 23.
Despite all being one year shy of the legal voting age themselves, the four friends and are trying to encourage as many young people to use their vote as possible.
They are determined that the opinions and voices of the younger generation are heard among the clamour of the referendum debate.
“As young people, this the result of this referendum will have an enormous impact on our future and our lives,” said Jenny Coates, who first came up with the idea.
“It is the most important decision in our generation and yet we can’t even vote in it.”
Alice Stuart-Brown added: “As 17-year-olds we have strong views, but these will be ignored because we are not considered old enough to vote.
“This is despite the fact that we are politically aware and well informed enough to feel passionately about staying with the EU.
“Plus so many young people who aged 18-25 never use their vote. We want to change this and get more people involved in the democratic process.”
Under the strapline ‘Your vote, our future’, the campaign is also appealing to older people to stop for a second and consider young people’s future before casting their ballot.
Erin Grady explained why the group is so passionate about saying in the EU.
“As young people considering our future and the future of this country, we believe it would be disastrous to leave,” she said.
“It has given us countless benefits over the years.
“Not only has it given us strong trade links, but other benefits as well including the chance to study and work abroad, large numbers of job opportunities and improvements to environmental policies.”
The aspiring university student added that over 200,000 British pupils have benefitted from the EU's Erasmus Programme, giving them a chance to easily learn abroad and experience different cultures.
She added that the ability for young people to travel freely and use service such as Interrail in Europe would also be curbed by a Leave vote.
Hattie Beck said: “This is why we believe so strongly in having our say, especially since we will have to live with the result of the referendum.
“We want the country we grow up in to be part of something bigger and be a key player of the EU. Inside we are stronger and better positioned to tackle terrorism and climate change.
“Our generation will one day govern a country that will be massively affected by the outcome of this decision.
“We urge anyone that is undecided or who believes pulling out is the right thing to reconsider.
“This is your vote, but it is our future.”
To make sure the voice of youth is heard in the debate, the year 12 pupils have also helped set up a special public debate at the school.
This event on Thursday 9 June will take place at 7pm in the Sixth Form Lecture Theatre and will be transmitted live by the BBC.
Two Stroud High pupils will be taking a seat on the panel alongside two politicians and two businesspeople Anyone wishing to attend should email chris.brierley@bbc.co.uk for a ticket.
The girls have set up a Facebook and Twitter page for their campaign.
For more information please visit www.ukyouthforeurope.co.uk/
The vote on Britain’s place within the European Union will be held on Thursday, June 23.
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