Kids Campaign for a Political Voice

12.00.00am UTC (GMT +0000) Tue 18th Jan 2005

MPs support Barnardo's "Give Us A Chance" report

Young people from all over UK today called on Government to listen to their views, when they presented the report "Give us a chance - Young people's views on social issues", to Margaret Hodge MP Minister for Children, Young People and Families at a prestigious launch in the House of Lords. The event was supported by members of the All Party Parliamentary Group for Children and hosted by Baroness Doreen Massey, Tim Loughton MP and Annette Brooke MP.

The report, from the children's charity Barnardo's outlines the views of 130 young people to politics, politicians and a whole range of social issues from drugs to bullying. Young people from Barnardo's services from all over the UK will present the report - which will be the first poll of children's views in this election year.

Commenting on the launch, Annette Brooke MP said: "

"I am thrilled to have been invited to co-sponsor the launch of this new report. I am often disappointed by the negative image of young people portrayed in the media which highlights the bad behaviour of a minority and rarely the excellent examples of the greater majority.

"I hope that today's launch will do something to undo the current trend of 'demonization', and will reinforce the good attitude of most young people, including the disadvantaged, the vulnerable and at risk. We must treat them all as individuals, rather than labelling them all the same."

Annette Brooke with Barnardo's clients

Barnardo's calls on the government to take on board the views of young people in the run up to the general election, in particular:

• A call for a review of the voting age.

• Politicians and Government to be more responsive to the views of children.

• Politicians to stop seeing children and young people as potential trouble-makers and see them as children first - with valid opinions and views.