- Conference
- 2013 National Black Members' Conference
- Date
- 18 September 2012
- Decision
- Carried
Conference is concerned that Electoral Registration Commission research shows up to 56% of young people (aged 17 – 24 years), and almost a third of Black people entitled to a vote, are not on the electoral register.
Conference believes that political representation is vital if Black people are to be heard in local and national government. It is just as important that young Black people are also heard.
Conference welcomes the work of Operation Black Vote to encourage Black voter registration, and participation in elections as voters and as candidates.
Conference notes UNISON’s support for the campaign Votes at 16, and notes the important evidence that encouraging young people to register and vote at the earliest stage possible increases the likelihood they will participate in voting throughout their lives.
Conference calls on the National Black Members Committee to:
1)Encourage Black members to ensure they are registered to vote, to use their vote, and to spread the word to their friends, families, workmates and communities about the importance of doing so;
2)Seek to continue to work with Operation Black Vote and consider how UNISON could support a voter registration drive;
3)Seek to work with the National Young Members Forum to ensure that the Votes at 16 campaign is informed by young Black UNISON members’ contributions.