Young Parliamentarians To Have Their Say

ELECTION fever has come to Oxfordshire, thanks to the UK Youth Parliament being re-introduced to the area by the county council’s Youth Support Service.
Oxfordshire is entitled to three Young Members of Parliament – one in each of South Oxfordshire, North Oxfordshire and Oxford.

In October three open days were held in different areas of the county and the young people signed up as a candidates and have been working on their manifestos and campaigns since then.

Elections have taken place across the county in schools and youth centres this week (14 – 17 January) and the successful candidates will be announced on Friday, January 18 at County Hall, Oxford.

The elected members will then be in post for a year attending all regional and national meetings and liaising with local MPs and youth services to tackle some of the issues that young people need addressing.

The national version of the Youth Parliament is seen as an integral tool to involve young people in politics and voting processes. County Cllr Louise Chapman said: “We need to get young people involved in all issues. Politics is not all fuddy-duddy, younger people can make a real difference and I’m glad to see these elections taking place.
“I look forward to working with our newly elected Young Members of Parliament to tackle local and national issues.”