Under 18s urged to vote in youth election

Young people are being urged to vote in this year’s election to find the city’s new UK Youth Parliament representatives.

10 candidates are set to battle it out to become one of four young people to represent the city’s youth at a local, regional and national level. The successful candidates will act as the voice of young people from 11 to 18 years old on topics like relationships and sex education to bullying and discrimination to public transport and employability.

The UKYP aims to give the voice of young people the chance to be heard by local and national government. It has been running since 1999 and has over 500 young people in its national membership.

This year Plymouth’s elections are taking place in schools across the city between Saturday 21 and Friday 3 February.

Lord Mayor and Councilor Terri Beer will oversee the count and announce the results on Saturday 4 February at the Council House, as part of his role as returning officer.

Councillor Terri Beer, Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Public Health said: “All 11 to 18 year olds living in Plymouth and the surrounding area can vote in our UKYP election and I hope lots of young people come along to cast their vote to elect a strong voice to represent them locally. Our UKYP members do a fantastic job and it’s great to see so many young people with an interest in politics.”

For more information about this year’s candidates please either come along on the day of the election when campaign reels will be played or for information before the big day, call Jenny Way, UKYP Coordinator on 307102  or 07788325057

Further information about the UK Youth Parliament is available at www.ukyp.org.uk