Candidates selected for Youth Parliament election

Candidates: Louis Tweedale, Bartek Szymkiewicz, Adam Wilkinson, Evie Gray, Myiesha Amani and Anita Okunde

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Six candidates have started campaigning to become Rochdale’s Member of Youth Parliament.

They are: 

• Louis Tweedale - Hollingworth Academy
• Bartek Szymkiewicz - St Cuthbert’s
• Myiesha Amani - Oulder Hill
• Anita Okunde - Kingsway Park
• Adam Wilkinson - Wardle Academy
• Evie Gray - Wardle Academy

Councillor Kieran Heakin, cabinet member for children’s services, said: “Each year we see fantastic candidates up for election. It is really great to see young people getting involved in the youth parliament and the democracy process at an early age. They will learn so much in this experience that will help them in later life, they should be really proud of their achievements this far.”

The election is now open and ballot papers are available from the youth service and will be in schools across the borough and we are hoping to beat last year’s record breaking voter turnout of 11,000 votes cast.

Candidates can be watched giving their manifesto pledges, and the topics they are passionate about, in their bid to win votes below.

Heather Mellalieu, lead youth worker at the youth service, said: “It was a really enjoyable interview evening with all our shortlisted young people participating and showing us how much Rochdale borough has to offer, we are really proud of their work.”

The election closes on Wednesday 21 February, with the results being announced on 22 February 2018 at Rochdale Town Hall.