Want to become Bury’s Youth MP?

Young people have the chance to represent Bury in the House of Commons by becoming the borough’s Youth Member of Parliament.

The UK Youth Parliament offers those aged 11 to 17 the chance to get involved in democracy at an early age, and raise issues that matter to young people at national level.

Bury is entitled to have one Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) and ttwo deputies, who will be elected by young people in Bury on Thursday 26 February and represent Bury for two years. Young people who express an interest will be able to join local youth democracy groups in Bury including Bury’s Youth Cabinet and support the work of UK Youth Parliament locally and nationally.

Any young person aged 11-18 who lives or studies in Bury can vote. At the last election in 2013, around 7,649 young people (39%) in Bury voted at schools, colleges and the Connexions centre.

Bury’s current MYP is Emily Kay, who has been to many regional meetings across the North West campaigning for young people’s voices to be heard. She also went on a weekend away in Cheshire with other young people from the North West and spent three days in Lancaster at the UKYP annual sitting where 400 young people from across the country met with MPs and decision makers. Emily has attended a variety of youth conferences, demonstrations and organised petitions. Most recently Emily was part of a debate in the House of Commons in London. MYPs are the only people other than Members of Parliament who are allowed to debate in the House of Commons chamber.

  
• Anyone who is considering standing as a candidate must attend an information/training day on Saturday 17 January (1.30pm-5pm) at the New Kershaw Centre, Deal Street, Bury, BL9 7PZ. For more information, call Heather Walton on 0161 253 7165 or email h.walton@bury.gov.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 5 January 2015.