Young politicians elected to Parliament
Warwickshire’s election day for young people saw four budding politicians win seats at the UK Youth Parliament this week.
Victoria Fowler, aged 18 from North Warwickshire, 14-year-old Abigail Jackson and 15-year-old Rabbia Khan from Nuneaton, and Bedworth’s Maria Fielder, 15, were elected as the county’s new Members of UK Youth Parliament (MYPs). Their four elected deputies are Thato Malebye aged 17 and 16-year-old Ben Wesson from Warwick District, Aston Jones, 14 from Exhall and 17-year-old Holly Bonnet from Stratford.
During their term of office, the youngsters will 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 three national campaigns to the fore including votes at 16, cheaper transport for young people and better relationship and sex education.
This year MYP elections took place alongside elections for VOX, the county’s youth council, which saw 15 successful candidates from around Warwickshire take seats. The panel will represent the voice of youth by addressing issues affecting young people on a county level.
A third of all young people aged 13-19 in the county voted during election fortnight, casting a total of 13 697 votes via traditional ballot boxes at schools and youth clubs around the county.
The results of the elections were announced at a special event at Holiday Inn in Kenilworth on Wednesday 11 February. Returning Officers Cllr Izzi Seccombe and Cllr John Whitehouse announced results for Warwickshire Members of Youth Parliament and VOX respectively.
Cabinet member Mrs Seccombe, Portfolio Holder for Children, Young People and Families said: “The outgoing MYPs and VOX have had a great year and should be proud of their achievements. They have set a high standard for our new young politicians and panel members to follow but I’m confident they will all rise to the challenge.
“These young people are our future and having met them I know it is in safe hands, I wish them all the best for their year in office. “
Warwickshire’s Head of Division for Young People, Hugh Disley presented the event, he added: “Despite the bad weather during election fortnight, a record number of votes were cast this year, more than double the number cast in 2008.
“It is so encouraging to see our young people actively engaged in this process, in total 47 young people stood in these elections and I would like to congratulate every one of them for their enthusiastic participation. I hope that they will continue to get involved with their area youth forums and the new locality youth panels that are being set up later this year.”
The elections are organised by Warwickshire County Council’s Youth and Community Service. Campaigning started in December 2008 and votes were cast between 26 January and 6 February by young people at polling stations in schools and youth centres across Warwickshire.