Young People matter says Colchester’s
Conference delegates

Colchester Labour Party has done a lot of work to encourage more young people to be politically active and membership of the local party amongst young people has risen every year for the last 5 years. Young people from the local Labour Party are attending this year’s party conference en masse to represent the views of young people in Colchester.

Colchester Labour Party Chair Rossanna Trudgian, aged 24, said:

“I think it’s wrong to say that young people are not interested in politics, because generally they are.

"Too often people judge young people as hoodie wearing yobs set on causing chaos wherever they go. Whilst most young people have a hoodie in the wardrobe, they are not always used for this purpose. Too often young people are underestimated and I have seen for myself the difference young people can make in their local community."

"All political parties are seeing dwindling memberships, which is understandable as the trust in MPs is at an all time low and people are more interested in joining single issue campaigns which are important to them. This is why all political parties need to be proactive and involve young people and listen to their views", Rossanna added.

Not only has Colchester Labour Party seen an increase in the membership of under 30s, but young people are standing for decision-making positions within the party. Currently the Chair, Secretary and Prospective Parliamentary Candidate are all under the age of 26.

This year, Colchester Labour Party has 5 young people going to the Labour Party Conference in Brighton, including Jordan Newell, Labour’s Prospective Parliamentary Candidate, who will be raising the issues that matter to the people of Colchester – including its young people.

Speaking ahead of conference, Jordan said:

"Conference is an ideal opportunity to raise issues of importance to the people of Colchester, especially young people. From Sure Start to Essex University, young people's interests are a cause I intend to champion at this year's conference"