Leon's blog: Want to run for UK Youth Parliament?

The selection for candidates to stand in the forthcoming elections, which take place from November 2011 will start in September.

What is the UK Youth Parliament?
The United Kingdom Youth Parliament (UKYP) aims to give young people between the ages of 11 and 18 a voice, which will be heard and listened to by local and national government, providers of services for young people and other agencies that have an interest in the views and needs of young people.

You decide on what campaigns you wish to lead on over a period of 2 years. Listed below are some of the issues the current Members of the Youth Parliament have looked at such as university fees, work experience opportunities, jobs for young people, ‘Parent for the Weekend’ project surrounding sexual health and childcare, transport costs and the portrayal of young people in the media.

Which constituencies can I run for?
There are three constituencies in Buckinghamshire in which you could stand for election. All areas within Bucks are covered. The constituencies are as follows: 

1) Wycombe District
2) Aylesbury Vale
3) South Bucks and Chiltern

The only requirements are that you either live or attend school/college in the listed constituencies, and you must be between the ages of 11-18. 

For example, if you live and study in Amersham, then you could run for the South Bucks and Chiltern constituency. If you live in Amersham and study at High Wycombe, you could run for both South Bucks and Chiltern and Wycombe District constituencies.  If you are shortlisted as a candidate on the information and training day: 

Wycombe District 

date: Saturday 17th September 2011
time: 10.00am to 4.30pm
venue: High Wycombe Library (Meeting Rooms 2 and 3, 2nd Floor)
note: For young people who live or attend school in the Wycombe area.

Aylesbury Vale

date: Saturday 1st October 2011
time: 10.00am to 4.30pm
venue: Bucks County Museum, Aylesbury
note: For young people who live or attend school in the Aylesbury area.

South Bucks and Chiltern

date: Saturday 15th October 2011
time: 10.00am to 4.30pm
venue: Amersham Community Centre, Amersham
note: For young people who live or attend school in the SB+C area.

Each of the events will provide information and training sessions to all young people who attend. Shortlisting of candidates for each constituency will also take place on the day. 

For further information of the events, feel free to email me at leon.ukyp@gmail.com or Michelle Ball at mball@buckscc.gov.uk.

For further information of the UK Youth Parliament, visit http://www.ukyp.org.uk/.