New Members of Youth Parliament announced

A record number of young people turned out to vote for Shropshire’s new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs).

Olivia Barber, aged 17 from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, and James Ellsmoor, aged 17, who is from Woore near Market Drayton, have been chosen as the county’s MYPs in the Shropshire Council-run elections. William Coles, aged 15 from The Priory School in Shrewsbury and 16-year-old Kathryn Brooke, from Shrewsbury Sixth Form College, were voted as deputy MYPs. Olivia was also a successful candidate in the 2010 elections.

Young people, aged 11 to 18, have been voting for their MYPs at schools and colleges throughout Shropshire. More than 16,000 votes were cast between 1 December 2010 and 28 January 2011, which is the biggest turn-out since MYP elections were held in Shropshire in 1999. Last year just over 14,900 votes were cast, placing Shropshire among the top ten areas for the number of votes nationally.

The successful candidates were announced yesterday (Thursday 10 February) at an election results evening at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury.

The new MYPs will represent young people locally, regionally and nationally for the next 12 months. They will ensure that young people’s views are heard and influence policies on a range of issues which affect them.

Councillor Aggie Caesar-Homden, Shropshire Council’s Cabinet member for children and young people’s services, said:

“Thousands of young people are making their voices heard by voting in the MYP elections. The MYPs will be very active in helping the council to decide its priorities and scrutinise its work.

“I would like to say a big thank you to the MYPs and deputies who were elected at this time in 2010 and have worked extremely hard during the past 12 months. It is great to welcome James, William and Kathryn to the role – and welcome back Olivia who should be extremely proud of being elected two years in a row. I look forward to working with them to highlight the issues which are important to young people, and to build on the work of MYPs
to date.”

James said:

“I am ecstatic to be elected and to be able to represent the young people of Shropshire. I can’t wait for the year ahead.” William said: “I am thrilled with the result and I look forward to the work that lies ahead.”

Kathryn and Olivia added:

“We are both overjoyed with the result and we thank everyone for voting and cannot wait to work with, and for you.”

Shropshire Council’s Youth Support team, which organised the results evening attended by young people from across Shropshire, will support the elected MYPs in carrying out their roles.