The National Union of Students is warning politicians to pay attention to student issues or pay the price in the upcoming elections.

The NUS has launched the Vote for Students campaign with the aim of getting students across the country to make their voices heard and demonstrate how powerful of a demographic they are.

With students representing nearly 15 per cent of the voting population the NUS hope to secure a more stable future for students in the UK by supporting candidates that champion students.

Wes Streeting, NUS President, said: “In many seats up and down the country the student vote can make a decisive difference. Through this campaign we hope to remind students of the power they hold.”

The campaign endorses politicians who are willing to support students and Mr. Streeting was quick to warn candidates of the dangers of not taking the student vote seriously.  “Our message to candidates is simple; vote for us or pay the price.”

The Vote for Students website offers students information about candidates standing for election in their area and whether or not they have signed the petition in support of the campaign. The NUS hope that this information will encourage students to vote for the relevant student friendly candidates.

Susan Nash, VP of Society and citizenship at the NUS, said: “We have launched this campaign to insure that our interests are secured. Students have the power to shape this election.”

The power of the student vote has been specifically highlighted in the top 20 "student battlegrounds" as identified by the NUS: Newcastle, Manchester, Liverpool, Birmingham, Sheffield, Reading, Cambridge, London, Southampton, Bristol, Leeds, Oxford, Durham, Exeter, Norwich, Brighton, Lancaster, Nottingham, Plymouth and Lincoln.

With these key areas in mind students are being encouraged to vote for candidates who support the campaign whether that be in their hometown constituency or where they study.

Steve Head, a second-year  English Literature student at Kingston University said: “Politicians need to realise that students care about their future.” He added: “Of course I would be more inclined to vote for candidates who support us, for myself and the next generation of students.”

Further information on the campaign can be found at www.voteforstudents.co.uk