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New Youth Parliament members elected for
Wigan Borough.
Jilly McKiernan and Hollie McChrystal
have been elected as the new Wigan Borough representatives for the UK
Youth Parliament.
The new Members of Youth Parliament (MYPs) will now go on to represent
the views of the borough’s young people at a local, regional and
national level, along with their deputies Ahmed Younis and Adam Jones.
Jilly, 15, a Birchall High School pupil from Ashton said: “I’m so happy
I’ve been elected. I was deputy last year which was great and I feel
like I’ve been building myself up to this.
“My main campaign is around under age health issues such as smoking,
drinking and sex. They are taboo subjects but everyone knows they go on.
“We need to not tell young people what to do, but instead give them
information and advice so they can make the right choices themselves.
“I’ve got really high hopes for this year.”
Hollie, 13, an Abraham Guest pupil from Pemberton said: “I’m absolutely
ecstatic I’ve been voted in. I’ve been doing lots of campaigning around
my school and I’m so happy that it’s paid off.
“My campaign is around safer streets, better relationships between
police and young people and changing stereotypical views.
“I’ve spoken to so many young people who complain about constantly being
moved on by police and PCSOs when they aren’t doing anything wrong.
“It’s not the PCSOs’ fault as they are only doing their job, but we need
to work together to improve relationships.”
The five other candidates who stood for election – Jason Halliwell,
Natasha Moss, Callum Welsh, Megan Jones and Nikitta Richardson – are
all part of the Wigan Youth Parliament group and will support the work
of the MYPs and their deputies.
The results were announced a special election evening at Wigan Town Hall
on Wednesday evening (February 24).
The event was organised by young people in particular Devan Lucas, the
outgoing MYP who stood alongside Mark Talbot last year.
Mark and Devan made history in their year as MYPs after taking part in
the UK Youth Parliament’s first ever debate in the House of Commons.
Sheila Martland, head of Wigan Council’s Youth Service, said: “The UKYP
elections are so important as it gives young people a voice to shape and
change the services aimed at them in the borough.
“We hope this year’s elected MYPs can once again have the chance to walk
the corridors of Westminster and get their views heard at a national
level.”
Coun Ged Bretherton, cabinet member for equality and young people said
at the election evening: “The young people of Wigan have a real buzz
about them and they want to get involved. They are so positive and I
think we could all learn a thing or two from them.
“That’s why events like this are so important – to keep them involved
and to keep that enthusiasm going.”
Coun Sue Loudon, cabinet member for children and young people, said:
“When attending the UKYP elections it really brings it home just how
important the borough’s MYPs are.
“We have seen all the good work that has already been done and all that
the young people still want to achieve.
“The popularity of the Wigan Youth Parliament group is growing and more
and more people are interested in these elections each year.”
Nick Hudson, executive director of Wigan Council’s children and young
people’s services, said: “This really shows that young people are taking
seriously the issues that affect their borough.
“It is also a wonderful opportunity for the young people who get elected
to get a real understanding of how politics work in this country.”
Young people are still welcome to join Wigan’s Youth Parliament group.
For more information go
www.wlct.org/wyp, or call Angela Wood or Maureen Edwards on 01942
705944.
www.wlct.org/wyp
Share
ENDS.
Notes to editors.
For more information contact Angela Kirk, Young People’s Press
Officer for the Wigan Leisure and Culture Trust, on 01942 486924.
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