A vote for youth is on offer to Basingstoke residents in the coming elections.
The Conservative and Labour groups on the borough council are putting up four candidates under the age of 30 on May 5.
Labour’s Shelley Phelps, 24, will join Conservative Party members Paul Watts, 22, Katie Black, 28, and Rebecca Bean, 21, on the ballot slip next month.
Single mum Rebecca is fighting for Hatch Warren and Beggarwood. She said she wants to work for a better future for her three-year-old son.
Shelley is Labour candidate for Popley East and a long-time resident of the area she now hopes to represent.
She said: “It’s not about young people or old people – for me it’s just about having a strong voice for Popley.
“But I do think it would be a benefit to have younger people on the council.”
Shelley, who admitted politics is potentially daunting for people her age, will go head-to-head with the Paul Watts in the Popley East by-election.
Paul, an IT sales executive, said residents find it ‘refreshing’ to see younger people actively involved in community matters.
“We bring fresh ideas, are fresh faced, and will form the future of British politics,” he said.
He told the Observer that more effort should be made to encourage others like him to take up politics.
“I think that is something that needs to done because if you look at the average age of politicians at the moment, without being crude, they are generally getting on a bit.”
The average age of councillors across the country is over 45.
But in recent years there have been signs of a change in policy by the main political parties.
Ranil Jayawardena became councillor for Bramley and Sherfield in 2008, aged just 21.
He said: “I think the way the council is structured is great, with people from all backgrounds, ages and political beliefs, and young people are definitely a part of that mix.
“I’m very pleased that the parties are encouraging more young people to join me.”
Cllr Stephen Reid was actively involved in selecting Conservative candidates for the upcoming elections.
He said: “Any group, if it’s going to be representative of the local community, needs to have the right mix of experience, youth and energy.
“You look at some councils and it’s quite clear they are made up from mainly older members of the community, but we believe we need a mix.”
