Published Tuesday 21 March 2017 at 10:07
Young people went to the polls this week and elected Ummaih Shah as their new Youth MP.
The announcement was made at a special ceremony at Blackburn Town Hall and came after a week when almost 9,000 young people voted in schools, colleges and youth clubs across the borough.
Sixteen year old Ummaih previously served as Youth MP under Hamza Khan who was presented with an award for his work throughout the year at the handover.
Deputies Elle Walsh and Aliyah Shah with new Youth MP Ummaih Shah.
New Youth MP deputies are Aliyah Shah, 15, and Elle Walsh aged 15.
Ummaih was elected on her pledges of improving opportunities for young people, raising awareness of bullying and helping to provide work experience to improve job prospects.
She said that she was ‘shocked’ but ‘very happy’ to have been selected.
“It’s an honour to be chosen to be the voice of young people in Blackburn with Darwen and I’m really looking forward to doing my best to represent them.”
The MP’s duties will include attending the Council’s executive and scrutiny boards, representing young people’s voices in meetings and events and regularly visiting youth clubs and school councils from across the borough.
Aliyah Shah, Hamza Khan, Ummaih Shah, Council Leader, Councillor Mohammed Khan and Elle Walsh
The Youth MP will attend the annual Youth MP sitting in the House of Commons in November along with all the Youth MPs from around the country where they will debate the top issues affecting young people.
In addition, the Youth MP with be expected to campaign on their manifesto issues throughout the year and organise events, attend monthly regional Youthforia events with other youth councils from across the North West and focus groups on issues such as Health, Transport and Education.
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