Election fever hits Blackburn and Darwen in Youth MP vote

As the General Election approaches, students in Blackburn with Darwen are preparing for an election of their own.

Thousands of School children are hitting the polls as the elections for the next Blackburn with Darwen Youth MP open.

Up for election, five willing candidates from across the borough have put their hat in the ring all vying to take over from incumbent Harry Kay.

St Marys College student Katheja Asif, the current deputy Youth MP, is hoping to take the top position with the other hopefuls of Hamza Khan (Witton Park Academy), Ibrahim Seedat (Blackburn College), Cecilia Adekoya (St Wilfrids C of E Academy) and Jessica Henderson (St Bedes RC High School) all fighting for the national position.

Holding office for one year the Youth MP will have the task of championing Young People’s issues within the council whilst further expanding their own understanding of local politics and governance.

The Youth MP also gets the opportunity to attend the annual Youth MP debates held in the House of Commons and led by speaker of the House John Bercow MP.

Cllr Kate Hollern Leader of Blackburn with Darwen Borough Council said:

As the youngest Borough in Europe it is important to me and this council that we put our children and young people at the heart of our democracy.

All the youth MPs I have worked with have done fantastic jobs and I know whoever the wins the upcoming election will but their heart and soul into the position.

Cllr Damian Talbot, Executive Member for Culture, Leisure and Young People said:

Ensuring our young people get the best possible start in life is at the very top of the Council priorities, with this in mind it is really important that we continue to encourage young people to become the youth MP and represent the views of Young people on the Council’s Executive Board.

Voting opened across the Boroughs Schools on March 9^th and continues to Friday March 13^th with the result to be announced at a ceremony in the Council Chamber on Monday March 16^th.