25 young people from across Warwickshire are standing to become Warwickshires new Members of UK Youth Parliament (MYPs). The candidates, who are aged between 12 and 18, will be competing fiercely for just 4 seats.
Voting, run by Stratford-on-Avon District Council, will take place across the District from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February:
- Friday 30 January at Alcester Grammar School from 8.50am to 9.15
- Monday 2 February at Shipston High School from 12.30pm to 1.10pm
- Tuesday 3 February at Southam College from 12noon to 1.30pm
- Thursday 5 February at Stratford High School from 12.40pm to 1.25pm
- Friday 6 February at Kineton High School from 8.50am to 2.45pm
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.
The elections are organised by Warwickshire County Councils Youth and Community Service. The campaigning period starts now and votes can be cast from Monday 26 January to Friday 6 February by visiting polling stations in schools and youth centres across Warwickshire. The results will be announced on Wednesday 11 February at Holiday Inn, Kenilworth.
The aim of the Youth Parliament is to give young people in the UK a voice which will be 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.
Young people can also vote for VOX The Warwickshire Youth Council.
The candidates who will be standing for this years elections from Stratford District area:
- Dave Tipping - Alcester Grammar
- Holly Bonnett - Stratford High School
- Jasmine Etheridge - Southam College
- Kayleigh Simmons - Shipston High School
- Oliver Simper - Alcester Grammar
- Robert Hatcher - Kineton High School
About UK Youth Parliament
The UK Youth Parliament (UKYP) enables young people to use their energy and passion to change the world for the better. Run by young people for young people, UKYP gives the young people of the UK, between the age of 11 and 18 a voice, which is 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 was launched at the House of Commons in July 1999, and held its first Sitting in February 2001 in London. There are currently over 500 elected MYPs (Members of Youth Parliament) and Deputy MYPs who represent both young men and women, including young people from a variety of ethnic backgrounds, and with physical and learning disabilities.
Each LEA in England represents a UKYP constituency.
UKYP elections take place each year, in every part of the UK. Any young person aged 11- 18 can stand or vote in UKYP elections. In the past two years over 550,000 young people have voted in UKYP elections. 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.
