KEETCH LISTENS TO HEREFORDSHIRE'S YOUTH

11.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Tue 7th Sep 2004

Youth Meeting 6 September 2004

Paul Keetch, Member of Parliament for Hereford, was delighted at last night's response to the Youth Meeting he had called at Saxty's Café Bar in Hereford.

Youth Meeting 6 September 2004

The meeting attracted over twenty young people from all over the county. Some of the topics raised included the ever increasing cost of local transport, reactions to the single currency and the decisions to go to war in Iraq.

Mr Keetch said, "I am pleased that the meeting attracted so many young people. It was great for them to share their thoughts and views with me, in particular with regard to the lack of job opportunities in Herefordshire, the role of the monarchy and the escalating violence in Iraq.

"I am extremely concerned about the cost of local transport for young people in Herefordshire. Many of the young people expressed concern over the cancelling of the train passes from Leominster and the fact that many are forced to pay adult prices on bus journeys.

'I think what is needed is an age of majority - a single age whereby children are regarded as adults. Whether it be 18, 16 or whatever, I think it is unacceptable that to vote you need to be 18, but when you get a bus in Herefordshire you are regarded as an adult at 15!"