​Who will be Bury’s next member of Youth Parliament?

Young people aged 11 to 18 in Bury have the opportunity to enter the world of politics and make a difference as the borough’s Youth MP.

The United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) is a national organisation where young people campaign to make positive changes for young people across the country.

Bury is entitled to have one Member of Youth Parliament (MYP) and there will be two deputies who will be elected by young people in Bury on 31 January. Young people who express an interest will be able to join local youth democracy groups in Bury including Bury Council’s Youth Cabinet and support the work of UK Youth Parliament locally and nationally.

Anyone who is 11-17 who lives or studies in Bury is eligible to stand as a candidate in the election. If you or someone you know would like to be involved in UKYP please come to an information session on Friday 12 October (4pm-6pm) at The New Kershaw Centre, Deal Street, Bury. All young people wishing to stand as candidates must attend this session.

Elections are held every two years. At the last election, 7,403 young people voted in schools, colleges and at the Connexions centre in Bury. Numair Khalid of Parrenthorn High School was elected as Bury’s Member of Youth Parliament with 1,459 votes. During the last two years Numair has been to many regional meetings across the North West where he has worked with other young people and politicians to make positive changes for young people across the country. He also went on a weekend away in Cheshire with other young people from the North West and spent four days in a university each year at the UKYP annual sitting where 400 young people from across the country meet with MPs and decision makers. Numair has attended a variety of youth conferences, demonstrations and organised petitions.

Most prestigiously, MYPs are part of a debate in the House of Commons in London each year. MYPs are the only people other than Members of Parliament who are allowed to debate in the House of Commons chamber.

For more information, call Heather Walton or Adele Crowshaw on 0161 253 7165 or email h.walton@bury.gov.uk

ENDS

Press release issued: 27 September 2018.

Picture: Bury’s current MYP Numair Khalid (Parrenthorn High School) and our two deputy MYPs Beth Mortensen (Holy Cross) and Viktoria Ouomble (St Monica’s).