Congratulations to Matt Hall from Stone, who has been elected to represent Staffordshire at the UK Youth Parliament.
Young people across the county have been voting at schools and youth clubs for the person they want to represent them and their issues on a national scale as a Member of Youth Parliament (MYP).
Matt, aged 16, was elected as MYP for the Stafford and South Staffordshire division, with Luke McCormack from Penkridge elected as deputy. Henry Hallatt and Jack Taylor from Stone also contested the election. Well done to all the candidates.
Matt said: “I want to thank everyone who voted for me, my mum and dad, friends Tom, Will, Tom, Harry, Mia and Emily, and my politics teacher Mr Porter. I really want to move forward with my policy of making train travel cheaper, and develop a phone app that tells people in Staffordshire what’s going on in their local area. My work now is to fulfil my promises and make people feel proud that they voted for me.”
The results of the election were announced at Staffordshire County Council’s main chamber in Stafford on Friday 22nd February. Cabinet member for children’s wellbeing Mike Lawrence was on hand to read out the results and present certificates to all candidates who took part in the election.
Elections are held every two years to choose Staffordshire’s members of the UK Youth Parliament. Staffordshire has five members (MYPs) who represent the county in the West Midlands Youth Parliament, and will also sit on Staffordshire’s Youth Action Kouncil (YAK), the official young person’s advisory body to Staffordshire County Council.
MYPs that have been elected in previous year’s elections have made a huge difference to the lives of young people in Staffordshire by organising various campaigns such as youth conferences, education seminars, volunteering projects and campaigning against bullying. MYPs are also actively involved in decision making at the highest levels of the county council.
County Councillor Mike Lawrence said: “These elections show just how many young people in Staffordshire are prepared to stand up and be counted on the issues they believe in, and it has been wonderful to see so many engaging in the democratic process.”
ELECTION RESULTS
Newcastle and Moorlands Division: James Cain; deputy Clarke Lear (who, after getting the most votes out of all the deputies, becomes the 5th MYP)
Lichfield and Chase Division: Megan Collins; deputy: Matt Mansell
Tamworth and East Staffs Division: Waheeda Ratyal; deputy Billy Howells
Stafford and South Staffs Division: Matt Hall (from Stone); deputy Luke McCormack
