Elections begin in Oxfordshire for UK Youth Parliament 11/02/10

ELECTION voting has already started all over Oxfordshire as thousands of people flock to new electronic voting booths to mark the card of their chosen candidate.

Education, climate change and crime are all on the agenda for seventeen hopefuls who have been campaigning to take their place in the UK Youth Parliament.

A new electronic system is being used for the first time – secondary schools, colleges, Connexions Centres and Youth Centres in the county have online voting papers for students to make their decision this week.

Last year 11-18 year-olds cast 10,000 votes to choose three Members of the Youth Parliament and three deputies to join 600 MYPs nationwide.

The UK Youth Parliament elections are run by Oxfordshire County Council. This year there are 17 candidates vying for the posts, four in South Oxfordshire, three in North Oxfordshire and 10 in Oxford City. One MYP and one deputy will be chosen for each area.

Oxfordshire’s MYPs made history by being amongst the first non-MPs in 300 years to take to the green benches and debate at a unique gathering of young people in the House of Commons last year.

TENTH YEAR OF UK YOUTH PARLIAMENT

Now celebrating its tenth year, the MYPs continue to advise the government on youth issues and have claimed national and local success on subjects affecting them.

Current hot topics include abolishing university tuition fees and reducing the cost of bus travel for young people. During their one year in office, MYPs will hold events and influence decision-makers on issues that matter most to the young people in their area.

The successful candidates will be announced on Friday February 12, 2010, at County Hall in Oxford. They’ll have more than the political spot light on them as a film crew will be present recording the event for a documentary about democratic and decision making processes for young people to be shown all over Europe.

Cabinet Member for Children, Young People and Families, Councillor Louise Chapman will be on hand to congratulate the new young politicians.

She said: ?We are really excited about the electronic elections this year. This method gives the wider population of Oxfordshire?s young people the chance to vote. The candidates have been working very hard on their campaigns and there is no indication of who is in the lead and will be elected, which makes the process exhilarating for them and us.?

To get involved in UKYP or attend the event contact Emily Little at emily.little@oxfordshire.gov.uk or call 07824475793.

Full details of candidates and their manifestos can be found at www.bigvoiceoxfordshire.com