BY LUCY ARMSTRONG

BECOMING a member of Youth Parliament has provided me with so many exciting opportunities to make a difference.

I have learnt new things and met some really awesome people who can provide me with knowledge and advice that will last a lifetime.

Last Friday Jack Dunne, a fellow member of Youth Parliament and I met with Clare Moody, an MEP for the South West.

Europe is becoming a touchy subject in the face of modern day British politics and with negotiations and talks of a EU referendum on the horizon. Therefore, the meeting seemed seemed fitting to help us as young people develop our own personal beliefs.

We spent an hour discussing the way the EU works, what the MEP's do and our thoughts on votes for 16 and 17-year-olds in the EU referendum.

Clare was really keen to create a wider circle of communication between young people and members of youth parliament that live in the South West. She agreed to attend some of our Dorset Youth Council meetings so that she could really get in touch on what the local young people have been doing and are currently doing.

She was passionate about young people having a voice in modern day society and, as a young person who wants my voice to be heard, what she had to say was really reassuring.

As promised we are hoping to keep in touch with Clare and help her build relationships with youth organisations.

I myself am hoping to carry on being a ambassador for the campaign Our Vote Our Future which supports the rights for 16 and 17 year olds to get a vote in the EU referendum.

Jack and I will also be supporting Clare to help create a wider base of knowledge on what the EU does and help get young people from the South West get involved which is really exciting for us all.

Young people are the future and when significant politicians like Clare Moody herself what to hear what we have to say we know that the future has the potential to be bright.