THE chairman of Romsey Labour party will go out to vote today, as doubtless all his predecessors have before him.

But what is unusual about Matthew Cain is that today's European elections will give him only his first opportunity to vote.

The youngest-ever chairman of a constituency Labour Party only turned 18 this morning. Matthew, of Beech Close, Whitenap, is not surprisingly excited about his trip to the ballot box.

"My parents couldn't have timed it better. It'll be really good to vote, particularly because proportional representation means everyone's vote counts." The ballot also coincides with Matthew's A-level exams in music, politics and history at Peter Symonds' College. Today's election is the first to use the PR system in England. Voters faced with a ballot paper more than half a metre long have 11 parties to choose from.

Votes will be shared out on Sunday night, with seats going to candidates selected by the parties.

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