Get Elected - Youth Forum

The search is on for the Royal Borough's fifth MYP (Member of Youth Parliament) to represent the views of young people at national level.

Young people aged between 11 and 18 are once again being urged to think about standing for election or to nominate potential candidates for the role - and this year's campaign trail kicks off with an information evening at Castle Hill Youth Centre in High Town Road, Maidenhead, on Wednesday February 6 from 5 – 7pm.

Council youth workers will outline the roles and responsibilities of the MYP and answer questions, after which nominees will be asked to write their election manifestos.

Voting will take place from March 3 to 11 at schools and youth and community centres across the borough* with the winner announced at a special presentation evening in the Town Hall later in the spring.

The successful candidate will follow in the footsteps of current MYP Gemma Thorogood to represent the views of the borough's young people at the National Youth Parliament conferences.

He or she will help youth workers to set up local satellite youth forums to feed ideas and opinions into the borough youth forum.  The aim is to reflect the views of as many young people as possible in the future provision of services they need and use.

Cllr Eileen Quick, lead member for children's services, said: "We have been most fortunate in having four very committed young people to fill the role of MYP in recent years – and I am sure this time around will be no exception.

"It is important that our young people have the opportunity to have their voices heard, and that is what the role of the MYP achieves so successfully.  I would like to encourage as many young people as possible to get involved in the forthcoming elections and help to ensure that their views and opinions are represented and listened to at national as well as local level."

For this years 2008 Youth Forum Candidate manifesto's, please see the Candidates webpage.

The Elections for MYP are carried out annually

The MYP (Member of Youth Parliament) elections are an annual Borough campaign which gets young people aged 11-18 to elect their MYP who will become a part of the UK Youth Parliament. The elected MYP will be their voice which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies who have an interest in the views and needs of young people. The UKYP is an a-political party but solely issue-based.

Voting
Every young person aged 11-18 has the chance to vote.

• Each young person has 1 vote only

Information on all MYP candidates, their election statements and details on how to vote will be in schools, youth clubs, libraries and colleges.

Key Dates 

Information Evening - Wednesday 5th February 2008

Deadline for Candidates - Friday 15th February 2008

Polling Starts - Monday 3rd March 2008

Polling Ends - Tuesday 11th March 2008

For an information pack, please contact Danny Gomm on 01628 510289, email youthforum@rbwm.gov.uk or by post to:

Danny Gomm
RBWM Youth Forum
c/o Castle Hill Youth Centre
High Town Road
Maidenhead SL6 1PB

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