The new members of the Youth Parliament have been announced by Bath & North East Somerset Council.
- William, Cllr Hartley and Mike.
Following elections held on the 2nd February 2012, Mike Fidanolgu, of Hayesfield Sixth Form, Bath, was elected Youth Parliament Member for Bath, with 2,588 votes, and William Bridges, of Writhlington School, Radstock, was declared Youth Parliament Member for North East Somerset with 1,908 votes.
A total of 5,476 young people voted at polling booths in schools and youth hubs across Bath and North East Somerset.
The Members of the Youth Parliament will work together on projects that affect Bath and North East Somerset and at national and regional events to represent the authority.
The UK Youth Parliament is managed by The Children’s Society and the young people’s organisation Off the Record.
Bath & North East Somerset Council provided the necessary equipment and support to help run the election, including ballot boxes, booths and papers.
Councillor Nathan Hartley (Lib-Dem, Peasedown), Deputy Leader of Council and Cabinet Member for Early Years, Children and Youth, announced the result of the election as returning officer. He said: “The UK Youth parliament Election Day is a culmination of lots of hard work, school visits and training days and support to the young people standing – helping them to prepare their campaigns.
“This was a very hard fought race which has given all the candidates and the young voters a valuable insight into the election process, and has offered them a say in who they want to represent them on issues that matter to them.
“Improving the life chances of children and young people is a key priority of Bath & North East Somerset Council so we’re proud to support the Youth Parliament. We wish the new Members the best of luck and we look forward to working alongside them in the future.”
There are 369 seats for elected Members of the UK Youth Parliament, all aged 11-18.
Members are usually elected in annual youth elections throughout the UK. Any young person aged 11-18 can stand or vote. In the past two years one million young people have voted in UK Youth Parliament elections.
