Young people needed for youth parliament
Fri 13 Dec 2013
The UK Youth Parliament gives 11-18 year olds a chance to make their voices heard directly to central and local government.
Ealing has two seats and it will be the job of representatives to put forward the views of local youngsters in meetings with MPs, councillors and senior officers of the council and government.
Representatives are chosen through an open election and all young people who live, work or study in the borough are eligible to nominate themselves. The deadline for returning nomination forms is Friday, 3 January 2014.
All candidates will receive training from the council’s Youth and Connexions service before borough-wide voting starts on Monday, 20 January. The ballot closes on Sunday, 2 February and the results will be announced at Ealing’s ‘Speak Out’ youth conference on Wednesday, 12 February.
Councillor Jasbir Anand, cabinet member for children and young people, said: "Our past UK Youth Parliament representatives have all been very different, but one thing they have had in common is their passion for Ealing and for speaking up for local youngsters. Some of our reps have gone on to great things. In fact, one is currently serving as Ealing’s Youth Mayor."
Alexis Watkins, 17, is currently serving as a UK Youth Parliament rep. She said: "Being a UK Youth Parliament member is a great experience; you get to meet new people, try and change things for the better for young people across the UK, and have a great time whilst doing it."
"You don’t have to be really into politics; you just need to be passionate about making a change and having a say. Being able to sit in the House of Commons to debate was the highlight for me."
Contact Gemma Benton at gbenton@ealing.gov.uk or by calling 07545 412233 for applications forms.
For more information about the work of the UK Youth Parliament visit www.ukyouthparliament.org.uk.If you have a local news story, share it with the rest of Southall, by using the contact form.