Published Tuesday 11 February 2020 at 15:18
More than 8,000 young people took part in this year’s Blackburn with Darwen Youth Election to select a new Youth MP to represent the voices of young people across the borough.
Zara Hayat from Westholme School was selected as Youth MP supported by Deputies Khalid Omar who attends St Mary’s college and Muhammed Bapu from Witton Park.
Cllr Mohammed Khan, Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Council, congratulated the new Youth MP and her deputies and discussed the importance of young people and how they how they can influence important decisions as part of the democratic process at both the Executive Board and scrutiny meetings.
The event, held last night in the Council Chamber, was attended by the Chief Executive Denise Park, Director of Children’s Services Jayne Ivory, Executive board member of Children’s services Cllr Maureen Bateson and Deputy Julie Gunn, along with Head of Adolescent Services Imran Akuji.
Many schools and youth organisations participated in the youth democracy over a 2-week period, empowering young people in the borough to have a voice in services that matter to them. The final eight candidates then went on to enjoy a 3-day residential where they planned their campaigns, promotional videos and were involved in fun, exciting team building activities.
Their campaigns are already making a difference with a focus on young people and the elderly along with mental health and youth crime rehabilitation.