Young people put themselves forward for UKYP elections
Dec 17
More than 20 young people from Worcestershire are standing for election in the latest round of United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) elections.
A total of 21 young people, aged between 11 and 18, have written a manifesto for the elections, which will see votes being cast from January 25 until February 7.
The following three seats are up for grabs in the elections, which are being held in the county by the County Council’s Youth Support service:
• Four candidates - West Worcestershire (currently occupied by Alice Murphy from Worcester Sixth Form College).
• Eight candidates - East Worcestershire (currently occupied by Ario Bagheri from Droitwich Spa High School Sixth Form).
• Nine candidates - North Worcestershire (currently occupied by Ellen Cochrane from North Bromsgrove High School).
Councillor Liz Eyre, Worcestershire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Children and Young People (12-19 years), said: “We’re delighted with the positive response we’ve received for our recent call for candidates. The elections process is well and truly underway now and we are looking forward to seeing which young people are elected to represent their views and peers on a local, regional and national level next year.”
The results are set to be announced at County Hall on February 20.
UKYP was launched at the House of Commons in July 1999 and held its first setting in London in 2001. Each Local Education Authority (LEA) in England represents a UKYP constituency.
Once elected, MYPs work with their MPs, councillors, school and youth councils and peer group members on the issues of greatest concern to their constituents. It regularly brings together its MYPs at a regional level to organise campaigns, projects and events and identify common issues of concern.