Are you ready to make your vote count in the upcoming General Election?

Are you familiar with your local parliamentary candidates and what their policies will mean for the local area?

Stockton students are being given the chance to find out more about the parties asking for their vote as local leaders in Stockton South go head to head in a candidate debate.

The event, which is due to take place at Durham University’s Queen’s Campus Stockton tomorrow (Tuesday, April 21), has been organised in an effort to help encourage young people to engage more with the upcoming election.

“Encouraging our students to register their vote has been a priority for the College over the past few months and this debate is a great opportunity for students to understand more,” said Stockton Riverside College’s Student Services Manager, Julie Wilson.

“Young people are not always interested in politics, but this event will be focussed on issues that directly affect them.”

Stockton Riverside College joined forces with Durham University’s Student Union, East Durham College’s Student Union, and New College Durham to bring the debate to students.

Julie said: “It is really important that young people have an opportunity to find out more about agendas which affect their local area and their lives.”

Leigh Spanner, Durham Students’ Union Academic Affairs Officer, said: “For many of our students and the local college students, this will be their first time voting.

“We want to ensure everybody has an opportunity to find out more about the issues that will affect them.”

The Stockton South debate is one of two debates organised by the colleges and student unions working together, with a candidate debate for Durham City also taking place in Durham tonight.

Students from Stockton Riverside College and SRC Bede Sixth Form wanting to attend the debate should contact Student Services or email julie.wilson@stockton.ac.uk

Did you know today (Monday, April 20) is the last day to register for your vote in the General Election on May 7?

Make sure you get your say by registering at: www.gov.uk/register-to-vote