Young people vote for Members of Youth Parliament

The countdown is on towards the announcement of Shropshire’s new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs).

Young people aged 11 to 18 have been voting for their MYPs at schools and colleges throughout Shropshire since 1 December 2010. The successful candidates will be announced on Thursday 10 February at an election results evening at the Council Chamber, Shirehall, Shrewsbury, organised by Shropshire Council’s Youth Support team.

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.

This year 13 young people from across Shropshire, also aged between 11 and 18, are standing as candidates for four positions – two MYPs and two deputy MYPs.

More than 14,900 young people voted in the 2010 MYP elections which is the biggest turnout since they were first held in the county in 1999, and placed Shropshire among the top 10 areas nationally for the number of votes cast. It is hoped that this year even more young people will take up the opportunity to vote.

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

“We always welcome input from all young people into what happens, both within and beyond their local community, and MYPs in Shropshire are very active in helping the council to decide its priorities and scrutinise its work.

“Our current MYPs and Speak Out Group have worked hard to promote these elections. Together we visited schools and colleges to raise awareness of the elections and to encourage pupils to put themselves forward to stand in the elections.

“They work extremely hard to ensure that young people have a voice at a local and national level and I am very proud of their achievements since the elections were first held more than a decade ago.”

Young people from schools, colleges and youth projects have been invited to join the candidates at the elections results evening, from 5pm to 8pm.

Shropshire Council’s Youth Support team is supporting the young people who are standing as candidates and supports the elected MYPs.

For more information about the MYP elections, including profiles of the candidates, go to www.shropshireyouth.com, or contact Lorraine Warrender on 01743 256227 or Dawn Lewis on 01743 254295.