Conservatives Join Push To Target Voter Apathy

Swindon Council took to a nightclub to try to persuade young people to enter
the polling booths for Thursday's local elections.

Clubbers at the Brunel Rooms on Saturday night were handed free CD Roms
telling them all they needed to know about the upcoming elections.

Swindon is one of the only councils in the country taking part in a pilot
scheme that allows people to vote over the telephone via the internet and even
through their interactive digital television remote controls.

Voter turnout at local elections is notoriously low nationwide and the
Government is anxious to find ways of improving the figures.

And while people might think clubbers are more interested in heading
straight for the dancefloor Naomi Harford of internet access charity Citizens
Online said people took a big interest.

Citizens Online has been contracted by the council to publicise and promote
participation in local democracy.

The charity set up a stand on the second floor of the club which is
celebrating its 30th anniversary this year.

Ms Harford said: "Most people didn't know they could vote on the internet or
through digital television and they were keen to find out more about the
politicians standing for election.

"The older ones were concerned about the big rise in council tax while among
the 18 to 20-year-olds issues such as the environment and late licensing in pubs
were important."

In Swindon voter turnout at the last local election was little more than 30
per cent and Ms Harford says it is vital for young people to start using their
vote.

Clubber Leila Zoghbi 26 a distributor from Old Town said: "I wasn't aware
the elections were coming up and I was quite surprised to see the stand telling
us about it it's not what you expect on a night out. It's good in some ways
because young people should be more aware of politics but this might not be the
place to do it."

Perdeep Virdee 22 a planning and purchasing assistant from Shaw said: "I
will be voting in the elections. I had already decided who I'll vote for before
I came here. I don't think a lot of young people understand the influence the
council has in the town."

Conservative Future chairman Justin Tomlinson who is a councillor in Abbey
Meads went along to help with the publicity drive - although it was not
affiliated to any political party. Some Tory candidates went with him:

• Halina Roberts - Western Ward
• Glenn Smith - Covingham & Nythe Ward
• Chris Van Roon - Stratton St Margaret Ward
• Debbie Baylies - St. Philips Ward
• Dale Heenan - Moredon Ward

He said: "I'm chuffed that a group of our candidates have taken the time to
engage with young people.

"Regardless of age there are issues that affect people and regardless of who
young people vote for it is important they use their vote so that their voice is
heard."

Stephen Reid managing director of the Brunel Rooms pointed to the success of
visits to the club by Swindon MPs Michael Wills and Julia Drown.

He added: "You have got to do everything you can to encourage people to take
an interest in democracy. This isn't forced on our clubbers - they can take it
or leave it."