WITH just one week to go to polling day, we have spoken to students who will be voting for the first time.

We asked 18-year-old Widnes sixth-formers what issues will be influencing them as they make up their mind.

Abbie Broderick, from Halton View, said: “The minimum wage is a big issue as I have a part time job.

“I think we should be paid more than £7 an hour.”

She works as a sales assistant in a fashion store.

She wants university tuition fees to be reduced so she doesn’t face starting a career in debt.

She said: “The NHS is also important to me because my mum’s a nurse.

“There are not enough nurses and doctors.”

Abbie believes the voting age should be lowered to 16.

She added: “I felt mature enough at 16 to vote.

“But I don’t think politicians are appealing to young people.

“I only know a few issues which benefit me.”

Tim Long, from Heath Road, said: “I am still undecided.

“I am interested in a lot of issues, including tuition fees.

“I’m also in favour of the EU.”

He agrees with lowering the voting age to 16, but only if politics was taught at school.

He said: “Education is very important. If politics was introduced from an earlier age, it would help students understand more of what was going on.

“It would be a brilliant way to engage young people if talks were arranged.”

He said he enjoyed listening to the political leaders being quizzed in the television debates.

Tim added: “It was interesting to see the minority parties with more views coming across.

“In Widnes, I would like to see more redevelopment in the town and more investment.”

Elisha Langley, from Appleton village, has not made her mind up yet.

She said: “I don’t think politicians are appealing to what affects our generation.

“They don’t relate to us.

“If they listened to young people, we’d be more likely to vote for them.”

She has a part-time supermarket job and dreams of working for the BBC.

Elisha added: “I am interested in issues relating to education and the wellbeing of the community.

“I think you should be able to vote at 16. If a person can work, they should have a say in how the country is run.”

She said she was interested to hear the different views of minority parties in the television debates.

Tom Johnson, from Kingsway, has made up his mind and said he was influenced by his family and background.

He said: “All the parties have manifestos and there is plenty of information out there. Election coverage is constantly on the news.

“It is important to vote because it affects your whole life.”

He said he doesn’t want to go to university and is keeping his career options open.

You can watch videos of these sixth formers from SS Peter and Paul Catholic College on our website, runcornandwidnes.co.uk.