Conservative Shadow Youth Minister Charles Hendry MP visited New College with Councillor Justin Tomlinson, following the success of the local democracy week. The Conservative Party take very seriously the issue of voter apathy, especially amongst the young. In an attempt to re-engage the young, Charles Hendry has been extremely pro-active in meeting youth organisation right across the country. Charles is also a vice-president of homeless charity, 'Big Issue Foundation'.
Charles Hendry said,"The way media report politics nowadays people only really hear of Ian Duncan-Smith or Tony Blair."
"What we are not good at is communicating to the young people through the media they read."
"If you talk to young people about politics they switch off but if you talk about issues that affect them they are interested."
Charles met with drama students and politics students during his visit. In a lively question and answer session, Charles Hendry MP was delighted with the success of the visit.
Councillor Justin Tomlinson, who is also the chairman of the Tory's national youth wing, Conservative Future, said: "I am delighted to have Charles visit Swindon and build on the success of local democracy week. Only 36% of under 30s voted at the last general election so ministers need to do visits like this and meet young people."