BY JACK WELCH

With the General Election long since a distant memory, it may be easy to forget that keeping voters engaged in the process can prove a difficult task.

The truth of this statement is no greater than that of young people aged 18-25, where turnout should be a cause for concern.

This week marked the return of the National Voter Registration Drive, where events took place all across the UK to ensure that young people who are eligible to vote are registered to do so.

Hosted by Bite the Ballot, last year’s drive alone had an impressive 441,500 take part.

The 2015 election itself sadly did not produce an overwhelming result, with an unremarkable 43% of those under 25 casting their votes at the polling station.

This figure more or less equates to that from 2010, highlighting that despite the variety of campaigns, some of which I have supported myself, there is no proof that now is the time to step back from keeping the momentum going.

In May, Weymouth and Portland Borough Council elections, as well as the Police and Crime Commissioner choice, will be taking place.

If it is a struggle enough to get young voters in a national election, local elections look set to fare much worse if there is a trend of inaction to address voter apathy.

Changing attitudes is never easy, but like the suffragettes and others who fought for their right, you have to start somewhere.