East Riding elections have taken place to elect young people to the UK Youth Parliament and to appoint East Riding’s first Young Mayor.
5,423 young people voted on who they would like to represent them as members of the UK Youth Parliament, and Youth Council members voted for the Young Mayor.
This year has seen more young people stand for election than ever before – with 47 candidates, aged between 11 and 18, from across the East Riding. Each candidate put forward their pledge outlining their priority issues. Young people voted for their chosen candidates via primary and secondary schools, postal votes and online votes, based on anonymous pledge videos.
Darragh Walsche, age 14, and Emily Middleton, age 16 have been elected as new Members of Youth Parliament, and Mark Nicoline, age 14 and Jacob Kidd, age 15 have been elected as Deputy Members.
Darragh’s pledge focused on aims to tackle youth crime, along with better behaviour, better mental health, safer communities, and systems that work for young people and not against them. Emily pledged to advocate for more youth provisions and services within the community, along with free period products in more public spaces and better access to more affordable transport. Mark pledged to ensure all voices are heard within schools, from quiet or loud, nervous or not. Jacob pledged to increase opportunities for young people with hidden disabilities or social challenges and reduce negative stereotypes, promoting awareness and inclusive environments.
East Riding’s first Young Mayor was appointed through voting Youth Council members. Noureen Absinsanooj, age 12, from South Hunsley School was voted to be the Young Mayor and she will help ensure young people are heard and meaningfully involved in civic and public life.
Councillor Victoria Aitken, Cabinet Member for children, families and education said: “I’m delighted at the number of young people who stood for election this year, and the number that voted. It shows that more young people are taking an interest in local issues.
“The UK Youth Parliament gives young people a fantastic opportunity to represent the East Riding on a national scale, and to ensure young people's voices are heard on issues affecting them.
“I am also thankful to all the young people who stood for election, and the work that has gone into the pledges. All of those who stood have the opportunity to continue being involved through the Youth Council. I look forward to working with them, as they help inform our youth strategies and campaigns.”
The UK Youth Parliament creates and delivers campaigns on issues affecting young people, and the East Riding UK Youth Parliament members will deliver the chosen campaigns locally. They will take part in a range of events including youth voice conferences and national debates.
The Young Mayor will attend civic engagements, alongside the Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, including Armed Forces Day, Yorkshire Day celebrations, the Civic Christmas pantomime and the Chairman’s Awards.
Chairman of East Riding of Yorkshire Council, Councillor Liam Dealtry, announced the elected young people at a ceremony on Thursday 5 March. He said: “It was an honour to be a part of the Youth Parliament elections. It’s great to see so many young people involved and hear some of the great pledges young people have put forward. I am delighted East Riding now has a Young Mayor, and I hope they all enjoy their involvement in representing our young people.”
Young people also voted on issues most affecting them in the East Riding, through the Make Your Mark ballot. Mental health and wellbeing was the issue that most young people said they are affected by, followed by transport and youth services. The results of the local Make Your Mark ballot will be fed into the national ballot and the issue most voted will form the basis of the UK Youth Parliament campaign for the year ahead.
The Youth Parliament elections take place every two years, and are organised by Community VISION, with support from East Riding of Yorkshire Council.
Picture : Youth Parliament candidates with Chairman of East Riding Councillor Liam Dealtry
