Olivia Blake

GMB member and Labour Party councillor for Sheffield

“Being active in my trade union taught me how important it is to have a voice and a say in decisions that influence your life. That’s why I registered to vote.

“For me, the single most important thing that would lead to improvements in pay, provide security at work and put an end to the exploitation of young workers is strong trade unions and a government which supports them.”

Greta Holmes

Unison member and homeless support worker

“I’m registered to vote because I want a say in how the society I live in is run. For me, the most important policy is providing people with a wage they can live on. I’d like to see a significant increase in the minimum wage, especially for apprentices, a crackdown on employers not paying the minimum wage and more pressure to pay the living wage piled on employers who can afford it.

Fern McCaffery

TUC young workers forum chair and online retail worker

“As a young woman I value the struggle of Emmeline Pankhurst and the British Suffragette movement in securing women’s right to vote. Not utilising that right today would be an insult to their memory. 

“The policy I most want to see is implementation of a youth guarantee programme in Britain, one that helps young people who have been out of work for more than four months to access employment, an apprenticeship or training. I’m especially concerned by the number of young women who are not in education, employment or training and I want targeted action to put this right.”

Nicola Hawkins

Equity union, actress and part-time hospitality worker

“I’m registered to vote because it’s important for young people to have a voice. If young people don’t vote, the government don’t listen. I want to see the cuts to arts funding stopped so we can reclaim our creativity.”

Emily Collin

Bectu member and National Theatre London worker

“I’m registered to vote and a condition of political parties winning my vote in May 2015 is a strong policy aimed at tackling the housing crisis.

“I want to see commitment to building the homes we need now with a focus on council homes, implementing rent caps and improving rights and conditions for tenants in the privately rented homes. This would secure affordable housing for my generation — a primary concern for me and my family.”