Under 18s urged to vote in Plymouth's youth election

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

Eleven 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 Monday 21 and Friday 25 January. There will also be an opportunity for young people to cast their vote in the City Centre on Saturday 26 January from 10.30am until 5pm in mobile voting booths at the Place De Brest.

Young voters will get the chance to meet the candidates, who will be canvassing the area until voting closes at 5pm and Lord Mayor, Mike Wright, oversees the count and announces the results as part of his role as returning officer.

Councillor Nicky Williams, Cabinet Member for Children and Young People, said: “All 11 to 18 year olds living in Plymouth and the surrounding area can vote in our UKYP election. I hope lots of young people come along on 26th to cast their vote to elect a strong voice to represent them locally.”

The key difference that the elected candidates will see this year will be the added support from the Council as part of the Annual Youth Challenge, which will dedicate officer time and funding to ensure that UKYP members have the skills and means to help them deliver on their manifesto pledges.

A pot of £5,000 is being set aside annually to support UKYP members. They will also be supported by an expert advisory group for members has been established with Councillors Williams and Taylor and a menu of services will be made available for UKYP members to call upon including training courses, design and print services and web support.

Councillor Williams explains: “We promised that we would help young people to make a difference in the city and we’re doing that by delivering our Annual Youth Challenge. This is the name we’ve given to the support we promise to provide to our UKYP members and their deputies. I hope lots of young people will use their vote and help to make a difference in the city by electing strong voices to represent them.”

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 Sarah Heffernan, UKYP Coordinator on 01752 300839 or 07818 511378.