This evening I'll be dropping into an event in parliament hosted by the Bite the Ballot campaign, which aims to engage more young people in politics.

If we’re to make our democracy stronger and vastly improve the way politics works for future generations, I think it’s essential that we make sure the views of our young people are heard and understood at the very highest levels.

Since British politics is so dominated by a parliament and a Westminster elite which feels seriously out of date and out of touch, it’s not surprising that many feel it isn’t relevant to them.

Yet young people care passionately about the big issues of our time, like inequality, education and the environment.

So the challenge is to prove to them that they have the power to change the future.

l wish Bite the Ballot luck with its My Manifesto project, and hope it succeeds in persuading more young people to use their voice – and their vote – at the next election.