IN the election for Lancashire’s Police and Crime Commissioner fewer than one in six of adults cast their vote.

In the elections for Blackburn with Darwen’s Youth MP, half the 11-18 school and college students cast their vote.

Who can realistically claim that young people aren’t interested in politics?

If you need any more convincing, then go online and just watch how our highly impressive Youth MP, 17-year-old Harry Kay, who is from Darwen, spoke when the national Youth Parliament met in the Chamber of the House of Commons last Friday (http://www.tubechop.com/watch/4069098).

Harry spoke about work experience opportunities for young people – or the lack of them – with considerable confidence, and authority.

I’m certain that I could never have made a speech like that, and in the Commons itself, at his age.

The Youth Parliament was founded in 2000.

There are now Youth MPs for 600 of the nation’s 650 constituencies, most elected with good turnouts.

During their period of office Youth MPs do a lot to encourage young people to work for what they believe.

Bizarrely, it took two years of argument before the House of Commons agreed to allow the Youth Parliament to hold sessions in our Chamber.

But it’s all been a huge success.

That should not be a surprise.

Politics is about how we make difficult decisions about our future, without violence.

Young people have, by definition, a greater stake in the future of our country than the rest of us.

Last Friday’s session highlighted the enthusiasm and appetite so many youngsters have for politics.

But the contrast in how our Youth MPs behaved with the dreadful impression adult MPs give (especially in Prime Minister’s Questions).

That certainly contains a clue as to why many are put off engagement in mainstream politics.

That’s one lesson.

The question I’m pondering is whether I’ve been right to oppose giving the vote in national and local elections to 16 and 17 year-olds.

This group did have the vote in the Scottish Referendum – and took the whole process very seriously.

I’ve not made my mind up yet, but this important issue has certainly got me thinking.