More on KentOnline
More on KentOnline
The Government has confirmed that it is pushing ahead with the 2021 local elections.
In Maidstone, electors will have a voting spree because in addition to the regular four-yearly Kent County Council elections, the elections for a third of the borough council seats, which were postponed last year because of Covid, will also be held.
On top of that there will be the postponed election for the Police and Crime Commissioner, postponed Parish Council elections in Barming, Boughton Malherbe, Boughton Monchelsea, Boxley, Bredhurst, Chart Sutton, Coxheath, East Farleigh, Headcorn, Hollingbourne, Hunton, Linton, Marden, Stockbury, Teston, Ulcombe and West Farleigh.
There will also be parish council by-elections in Detling and Tovil, and a vote on the Neighbourhood Plan in Lenham.
With so much at stake, the campaign group I Have a Voice is urging young people in particular to ensure they are registered to vote and then to do so on the day - May 6.
Campaign director Rebecca Deegan said: "The elections will be an opportunity for people to hold their local representatives to account over the decisions that have been made in response to the Coronavirus pandemic.
"Local elections are important because local government spending goes on education, social services, elderly care and the police - all of which have been vitally important in the UK’s response to the pandemic."
"But," she said: "Voter turnout for local elections is low. On average only 35% of people voted in the 2018 local elections and in Maidstone it was only 31.7%."
In addition, voter registration is lower among young people than other age groups - only 24% nationally for 18-year-olds compared with 94% for the over-65s.
Young people are also under-represented in politics.
Nationally, 45% of councillors are retired, and their average age is 59.
Fewer than 15% of councillors are under-45.
Miss Deegan is launching a campaign on Monday to encourage young people to participate.
She said: "We know young people are politically engaged with many issues. We need now to get them voting to make sure their voices are heard in May.”
The group is running free information sessions about the local elections with sixth forms, colleges and youth groups.
Details here.
Maidstone Borough Council wards due to be contested in May are Allington, Barming and Teston, Bearsted, Boughton Monchelsea and Chart Sutton, Boxley, Bridge, East, Fant, Headcorn, Heath, High Street, Marden and Yalding, North, North Downs, Parkwood, Shepway North, Shepway South, South.
