Call to stand for Youth Parliament

8.26.18pm BST (GMT +0100) Tue 9th Oct 2007

An appeal has gone out to the borough's young people to take up the challenge to become the borough's next member of the UK Youth Parliament.

The borough elected its third youth MP last year, Ese Okperin from Richmond upon Thames College. Over the past twelve months he has been working with the Youth Parliament on plans for improving life for young people around the country. Youngsters interested in youth issues are being urged to stand as a candidate in the election that will be held throughout January.

Richmond Council's Cabinet Member for Youth, Culture and Leisure, Cllr John Coombs, said: "This is a great opportunity for young people. Last year, a record 4,000 youngsters voted and this year we hope to build on this success and encourage even more to take part. The Youth Parliament consists of representatives from across the UK, aged between 11 and 18, and is a forum for young people to air their views and concerns. It is an independent non-political body. I urge any youngsters who are interested in playing a key part in the development of services which affect young residents to contact us and find out how they can really make a difference. "