What does politics mean to you? Something boring. A load of men in suits trying to see who can talk loudest is what it seems like to me. So you don't think local or national government decision-making is relevant to you? I think it should be but it's not at the moment. No-one has asked me what I feel about things that affect me directly - like plans to change school holidays, or what local facilities there should be for kids. Less than 50 per cent of people under 25 voted at the the last general election. Now Tony Blair wants young people to take more interest and get more involved in politics. How can he make politics cool for kids? By making it relevant to them. At the moment it seems that no-one REALLY listens to what we think or feel. Parents, teachers, politicians - they all SAY they are interested in our views but then they ignore them and say they know what's best for us. Is it any wonder so many young people can't be bothered to vote when we get to 18? 
Just look at what teenagers get paid - that's the proof that the younger you are the less you are valued.
 | | Matthew Mulligan, 13. |
What issues do you worry about most? Anything that's endangering the lives of people and animals - war, pollution, global warming. Did you know the government has a Children and Young People's Unit and a minister for young people? No I didn't. Or that there is a United Nations Convention giving children the right to have their views heeded? No. I haven't seen any evidence that young people really are consulted. How can children exercise their rights if we aren't told about them? The Children and Young People's Unit is conducting a survey to find out how best the government can communicate with young people - magazines, TV, radio or the internet. What do you think? Schools would be the most obvious place to start - that's where we find out most things, after all. And schools should teach us how we can get ourselves voices heard by the people making decisions affecting us. It's not enough just to ask us what we think - our views should be seen to be having an effect. Do you think young people are discriminated against in society? Definitely. Just look at what teenagers get paid - that's the proof that the younger you are the less you are valued.
Why should someone of 21 get paid more than an 18-year-old, or an 18-year-old more than a 15-year-old, if they are doing the same job?
It's illegal to pay women less than men for the same work but it's still legal to pay young people less than older people, even if they've been working for the same length of time. Why? Have you got things done or changed in your community by kicking up a fuss? Tell us your story - email gloucestershire@bbc.co.uk
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