Since 1997 there have been a number of improvements in the opportunities available to young people.

More than ever before they are continuing to further their education after the age of 16, as access to further and higher education has widened.

With regard to the political system itself, the Labour government has introduced the right for young people to stand in local elections, encouraging them to participate in the political process.

This year saw the launch of the Labour Student's Society at the University of Portsmouth. It is an organisation that campaigns for equality, democracy and social justice. We believe that young peoples’ voices matter and that they should be at the heart of the political process – they are the leaders of tomorrow.

At present, young people are grossly under-represented in politics at all levels and many simply claim they do not care about the political process. The reality behind this viewpoint is that this process has simply failed to engage with young people, and this is a key issue that Labour Students set out to tackle.

We recognise that the government’s task is far from completed on higher and further education, and that we must go further to get more young people to continue their education after school. Good education should be the right of the many, not the privileged few.

Education and political representation are not the only areas that the Labour Student's Society will be campaigning in.

Action in Darfur, human rights in Zimbabwe, action on climate change, social equality and many others, will be at the heart of the society’s activities, not to mention countering David Cameron and his ‘new look’ Tory party.

We will also be organising debates and talks involving guest speakers from the Labour Party and other organisations. ‘Question Time’ style debates are also planned, involving not just Labour but a broad spectrum of other political parties as well.

Look out for us at the Society’s Takeover event on the 23rd February and around the Union building during the week.