Warwickshire News Mine

Twenty-one young people from around the county are standing to become Warwickshire’s new Members of UK Youth Parliament (MYPs). The candidates, who are aged between 12 and 17, will be competing fiercely for just four seats. 

During their term of office MYPs represent the views and interests of young people in their constituency, both locally and nationally, by meeting councillors, MPs and other decision makers to take forward issues of local importance.

Last year’s MYPs brought many youth issues to the fore including the debate about teenage pregnancy by campaigning for better relationship and sex education in Warwickshire’s schools.

The elections are organised by Warwickshire County Council’s Services to Young People. The campaigning period starts on January 8 and votes can be cast by from Monday 5 to Sunday 11 February by text message or by visiting polling stations in schools and youth centres across Warwickshire. The results will be announced at Shire Hall on Monday 12th February.

Cllr Izzi Seccombe, Cabinet Member (Children’s Services), said: “The fact that there are twice as many candidates than before proves that young people want to get involved in local and national democracy. Young people should make their views and concerns heard and we value highly the contribution that Warwickshire’s Members of Youth Parliament make to the political process.”

The aim of the Youth Parliament is to give young people in the UK a voice which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people.  UKYP has the support of Prime Minister Tony Blair, Leader of the Opposition David Cameron, and the Leader of the Liberal Democrats Menzies Campbell.

The candidates who will be standing for this year’s elections are:

From the Rugby area
Colleen Neeson (13)
Georgia Palmer (14)
Natalie Shinkwin (17)

From the Warwick area
Alex Williams (16)
Aidan Steele (16)
Matilda Lomas (16)

From the Nuneaton and Bedworth area
Ellen Slack (16)
Emma Louise Wilson (17)
Farhan Bham (17)
Mohammed Mosam (16)

From the North Warwickshire area
Lee Simister (15)
Richard Ford (17)
Debbie Horton (12)

From the South Warwickshire area
David Tipping (13)
Roseanna Mitchell (16)
Jonathon Cox (17)
Sam Perkins (16)
George Little (15)
Sam Hargreaves (16)
James Hardy (14)
Oliver Stevens (14)

Link to WCC