ELECTION A SUCCESS
YOUTH PARLIAMENT
BIGGEST EVER TURNOUT AT THE POLLS
From the WMDC Press and Communications Office
This
year's members of the UK Youth Parliament have been elected in the biggest
ever turnout at the polls across the District - more than a 6% rise on last
year.
Queen
Elizabeth Grammar School pupil Animish Sivaramakrishnan and Ossett school
pupil Bethany Levick were the successful candidates with 1,522 votes and
1,418 votes respectively.
11,354
11 to 18-year-olds turned out to vote out of a possible 26,000 eligible
voters.
Jessica
Mason and Benjamin Hitch will act as this year's deputies.
Sam
Wilson and Belinda Humphrey, members of the Wakies SHOUT group announced the
results at a celebration event at 7.30pm on Friday, March 17.
Council
Leader Councillor Peter Box said: "Animish and Bethany are both very
conscientious and they will represent the district's young people well. They
have the support of the Council and Wakefield District Partnership and we
wish them luck for their 12 months as MYPs. "
Animish
said: "I'm really looking forward to working with the youth parliament.
The fact there has been more interest this year in the election process
shows there is a large group who want to be involved to make sure our
collective voice is heard. As a deputy last year I believe that the
experience will help me fulfil my duty to represent the views of all young
people in Wakefield."
Bethany
added: "It has been an amazing experience to take part in the election
process. I hope I can use this opportunity to improve Wakefield for young
people and carry on the brilliant work started by previous MYPs."
Voters
had the choice to vote by ballot, text or internet this year resulting in a
year on year improvement of turnout.
Seventeen
young people had put themselves forward as candidates to help young people
have a bigger say in decision making in the District.
It
is hoped all candidates will continue to work with Wakies SHOUT in the
future - a group made up of young people across the district to give them a
voice.
For
information on the UKYP visit Wakefield Council's website and follow the
Council and Democracy links.
There
are more than 400 MYPs in the UK Youth Parliament involved in meetings with
Government Ministers on issues like anti social behaviour, transport and the
environment.
Ref:
PR758
Date: 21/03/06
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