A budding politician is getting ready to give voice to young people’s opinions as he prepares for a televised debate in the House of Commons.

Matthew Tinker, 15, a pupil at Roding Valley High School in Loughton, was elected as a deputy member of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) earlier this year.

After joining in February, he is now preparing to canvas young people’s opinions across Epping Forest.

As part of the annual UKYP Make Your Mark ballot, Matthew will find out what issues are most important to young people in the district.

With an online vote and ballot voting in schools and youth centres, young people can choose topics such as mental health, youth voting and tackling racism and religious discrimination as their most important issues.

Matthew will coordinate the local vote until an October 19 deadline, ahead of a debate in the House of Commons on November 13.

Chaired by Speaker John Bercow MP and broadcast live on BBC Parliament, the debate will see Matthew debate the five most important issues.

He said: “Make Your Mark is such a great ballot as it voices young people’s opinions.

“As a DMYP and elected member of the local district youth council, I feel strongly about giving young people a say in what goes on in their local area.

“Make Your Mark enables us as youth politicians to start making that difference.”